Great Construction

Religion and Academic Learning

     This is a point that is not perceived, but in the fine arts and literary columns of the newspapers, readers can find articles in which scholars discuss religion, but when you think about it, this is rather peculiar. It goes without saying that academic learning is of the material and that religion is of a metaphysical nature, so scholars discussing religion is backwards. But even this principle of being opposite, topsy-turvy, is not considered particularly strange, and it is our society today that looks upon this situation as normal. In which case, it may be asked, why is this so, and there is no other significance than to show the powerlessness of religions today. The way religions operate at present, tradition, form, and their own reasoning are held in high regard, but that they do not have the content to satisfy intellectuals in terms of everyday life is well known.
     Therefore, when viewed from this point, if it is that academic learning rather than religion has practical value, it is probably only natural that people would place more weight on academic learning than on religion. In any case, within a highly complex society where competition for survival is fierce like today, it is a matter of course that people will not pay attention to something unless it has true value and is quite powerful. Mere spiritual salvation is meaningless. If you think about this fact, the newspaper articles described above can not be blamed. Frankly speaking, it is only natural that religion which has the power to save that which cannot be saved by academic learning be treated as superior. It is probably an unmistakable viewpoint that such a religion does not exist today. I do not mean to boast, but I do believe it no exaggeration to say that it is this very World Messianity that is more than up to this challenge. 

Eikô, Issue 243, January 13, 1954
    translated by cynndd