For the Freedom and Happiness of 1.3 Billion Chinese
The Freedom ‘Not to Believe in Religion’ Is a Farce – Humans Are Not Animals
If China wants to get along with the rest of the world, it needs to change its attitude. To put it simply, the idea not to believe in religion is not human. It is an embarrassment and an offense against human dignity. Not to behave in religion cannot be a part of “religious freedom”.
“Freedom of Religion” means to believe in religion. Not believing in religion puts us on the same level as animals, such as gorillas, orangutans, bears, mice, cats, dogs, and deer. Even some animals believe in religion. My rabbit listens to my lectures! (laughter in the audience) Even some animals can understand certain things, so there is no way a human being should be unable to understand my message. I definitely want to pass it on.
As we put my recent lecture “Spiritual Messages from Laozi” on the internet in Chinese language, there were some reactions: “This man is Chinese. It was a Chinese person who wanted to talk everything back as having a debate. This is not a Japanese person.” But whether I say it through ancient Chinese philosophers such as Confucius, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, etc, what I want to do is to return a culture of spirituality and enlightenment to the Chinese people. I believe it will be a long and difficult path, but respecting Eastern culture, I want to invite China back onto a shared spiritual path of happiness.
Some would say Japan has committed crimes against China in the past, but in my opinion this is all the more reason to make an effort and help China find happiness now. We should “Be positive!” (end of quote)
Let us Secure Freedom of Religion for the 1.3 Billion People of China!
In 1993, the United Nations appealed to all nations to establish the programme of action on human rights. In April 2009, China announced its Human Rights Agenda for 2009-2010, but made no mention of religious freedom in it. In 2012, the Chinese Human Rights Agenda for the next 4 years will be announced.
Article 18 of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
As a member of the international community, the Chinese government needs to respect international standards of human rights when formulating its domestic human rights agenda, and grant freedom of religion to its 1.3 billion citizens. We should turn our attention to the fact that freedom of religion, one of the most fundamental human rights, is being stolen from our 1.3 billion Chinese brothers and sisters, and help them live the lives they deserve.
