Ugandans attending the first public lecture by the founder of happy science.
Comment from Bro. Kato Mivule
Kato Mivule My problem with Pastors Sempa and Male approach is why do they always insist on Govt Regulations to stop what they perceive as cults? First, Christianity is NOT a State Religion in Uganda, secondly, Uganda's constitution allows for freedom of worship, and that includes Muslims, Judaism, Atheists, Rev Moon, Church of Scientology, Jjaja Muwanga, etc... How do they expect Govt to define a cult? The Catholic Church could decide to call Evangelicals a cult and what will Pastors Ssempa and Male do? You cannot force people to follow Jesus by enacting Christian Govt Laws - an idea borrowed from US Political Evangelicals. We live in a pluralistic society. The Best Pastors Ssempa and Male can do is educate their followers just like KPC (Watoto) is doing.
My analysis
Of course many cults are coming and many more will continue to arise, but this is not a sound ground to limit the right to freedom of worship. People have a right to freedom of worship and this right includes one’s right to change one’s religion. The state must be secular, other wise even what we call cults can hide under majoritarian dictates and declare other religions cults. In fact, if we allowed a state religion in Uganda, the Catholics and Anglicans can combine and declare themselves the only true religion in Uganda hence kicking out Pentecostals and other religions. Therefore Pastors Male and Sempa should know that, limiting freedom of worship using the state apparatus is a double sword. In a multi-religious environment we need to allow the right to criticize each other, we should never allow violence in the name of religion and the abuse of human dignity. No religion should be allowed to indulge in human sacrifice, persecution of people who have left that religion, corruption and lack of accountability, exploitation through ponzi schemes , obtaining money by false pretense , terrorism, extortion, manipulation and mind control.
Clerics call for probe into Happy Science
http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19408:clerics-call-for-probe-into-happy-science&catid=34:news&Itemid=114
Thursday, 21 June 2012 23:20
Religious leaders, who have dubbed the new religion, Happy Science, a cult, want the government to investigate its activities.
Addressing a press a conference at St. Francis Community Church, Makerere University yesterday, six religious leaders called on the minister of Internal Affairs to investigate the religion, which came to Uganda four years ago. The six clerics are: Pastor Moses Solomon Male (Arising for Christ Ministry), Pastor Martin Ssempa (Makerere Community Church), Rev Can Johnson Ebong (St. Francis Chapel, Makerere University), Rev Can Geoffrey Byarugaba (African Evangelistic Enterprise) Rodgers Atwebembeire (African Center for Apologetics Research) and Mrs Langariti (Fellowship of Christian University Students).
“The government needs to stop the influx of cults that continue to wreck our people as we deal with existing ones,” Ssempa said.
The clerics said they are drafting a letter to the First Lady’s Office.
“[Master Ryuho Okawa] is a false teacher and what he teaches is contrary to what the Bible teaches,” Ssempa said.
Master Ryuho Okawa, founder of Happy Science, was expected into the country — his first visit to Africa — only hours later. He is scheduled to give a public lecture at Namboole Stadium tomorrow. The lecture, where members of the public will pay a gate fee of Shs 2,000, has been heavily advertised — which Pastor Male says is one of Okawa’s luring methods.
“Okawa is adept at using all manner of promotional strategies for his brand of teachings and doctrines, but don’t be deceived by the slick promotion,” Male said.
He quoted comments by international cult expert, Rick Ross, that portray Okawa and his team as expert conmen for whom the term Happy Science serves well with all manner of luxuries.
“For the followers, it is pain, impoverishment, relationship breakages, etc, not happiness,” Male said. “He survives on manipulation of followers using intimidation with doom prophecies.”
Okawa, a University of Tokyo graduate of finance, founded Happy Science in 1986 and has written 900 books, which his followers consider as new teachings from God.
“We are very concerned, as religious leaders, that this is going to lead our young people astray. We are concerned that he will capture the spirits and minds of our young people,” Ssempa said.
When contacted on phone, Yoichi Utebi, Happy Science’s director general, International Public Relations Division, dismissed the clerics’ claims as baseless.
“Happy Science is a very unique religion. It unites the western civilization and eastern civilization,” Utebi said. “We have for a long time fought each other on religious grounds. It is time we united because we are the same people.”
smusasizi@observer.ug
Japanese preacher to hold lecture today
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Japanese+preacher+to+hold+lecture+today/-/688334/1432592/-/7wvoscz/-/index.html
By Solomon Arinitwera
Posted Friday, June 22 2012 at 01:00
A renowned Japanese preacher, Ryuho Okawa, is slated to hold a lecture on unity of religions and how humans can find happiness in Kampala today.
Mr Okawa, the founder of Happy Science, a global faith movement that seeks to transcend religious differences and help people find both inner and material peace, will hold his first African lecture in Namboole Stadium today.
Happy Science
According to Mr Yoichi Utebi, a director general of Happy Science, the movement is not a cult as it has been portrayed in some sections of the media.
“There is so much polarisation in the world created by religious differences emanating from the traditional religions. What we strive to do as Happy Science is strike a balance among the differing religions by seeking a common convergence for everyone.”
However, born-again pastors yesterday urged government to stop what they called an influx of cults into Uganda.
Led by Pastor Martin Sempa, the pastors told a press briefing that “though freedom of worship is a human right, it has a limit which must not be abused.”
sarinitwe@ug.nationmedia.com
Happy Science Aims to Unite All World Religions
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206151634.html
By Simon Musasizi,
The Observer, 14 June 2012
interview
As Uganda
prepares to receive lecture from World Teacher Ryuho Okawa, the founder of
Happy Science, on June 23 at Namboole stadium, Simon Musasizi met with Yoichi
Utebi, Happy Science's Director General International Public Relations
Division, to further understand what Happy Science is all about.What is Happy Science?
It's a religious organization from Japan, established in 1986 by World Teacher Master Ryuho Okawa. Today, we are one of the largest religious movements in Japan, and spreading across over 94 countries around the world - with 11 million members.
What's new about Happy Science?
Happy Science is a very unique worldwide religion. It is an integration of western and eastern religious and cultural values. Japan is a very unique country where the western cultures from America and Europe are very popular. But as an eastern country, we also have our own cultural values. So, Happy Science unites the western civilization and eastern civilization. The western civilization mainly teaches Christianity; the resurrection of Jesus, from 2,000 years ago.
On the other hand, eastern civilization has more of Buddhist influence. Maybe Buddhism is not so popular in Africa, but in eastern countries, it has very strong influence. So, we do have a Buddhist background as a backbone and together with teaching of love from Christianity. We also accept Muslims, Muhammad or Allah [for] Middle East.
So, we try to understand and unite these established major religions because that is the only way this entire humanity can progress - because there are so many conflicts, hatred and wars. Many of them are caused based on religious conflicts and/or nationalist egoistic ways of thinking. It is all ego and selfishness. Happy Science believes by uniting eastern and western religion and philosophy together, we can overcome the conflict and hatred and become one by practising love that gives.
But how easy is it to combine religions that are totally different?
Happy Science's main goal is to create Utopia on Earth through love and enlightenment. To love is to give, not to take from others. So, love can overcome hatred. If you take from others, you always want to take from them; but if you start giving, it creates harmony. It is a very simple way of thinking, but difficult to do. So, teaching of giving love is very important.
The other aspect is enlightenment, which is looking within yourself to discover who you truly are. Through studying the universal wisdom, we can learn the purpose of life and can awaken to our true mission. We believe any religious group can accept this way of thinking. That is why we want to spread this teaching, so that the world will be in peace.
Given the fact that Africa has its own unique values, what is your future plan?
We need to observe the cultural background and how people think because that is how one religion can become global. However, the core essence of who we are and the teaching of Happy Science is universal. It should apply to everybody everywhere in the world.
It is just that the way you practise might be a little bit different. As long as people's hearts and teachings are there, it can be the same. Every country has its own culture, which is why Master Ryuho Okawa is travelling around the world to preach what is needed for the specific country.
What do you think about drinking alcohol and polygamy?
We think the middle way of lifestyle is ideal. For example, we don't say you cannot drink. I think it is acceptable if you can be in control and act according to your good will. For polygamy, we do not practise it, but we cannot deny it either. There are other religions and cultures that practise this and we respect them for what they believe in.
Why do your members wear a pendant?
The RO on the pendant is the initial of Ryuho Okawa. This is the logo of Happy Science and a symbol that we are members. By wearing the pendant, we are protected by the Lord's light and are connected with the Lord. When we pray, it is easier for us to focus and bring out the light within ourselves because we are all children of God and God is light itself.
Do you also believe in the notion that unless someone converts to your religion they will never go to heaven?
Of course not. There are so many good religions in this world. There are so many beautiful people who keep giving love to others. It doesn't matter which religion you belong to. It is really the inside that matters. You can belong to your religion but still be a member of Happy Science. I was raised as a Protestant for a long time before I joined Happy Science. We are open to everybody.
Could you tell us a little about the Happy Science music project?
I think some of you may have already listened on the radio; we had artistes from Uganda make Happy Science songs for us. We have worked together with Jose Chameleone (Happy Science member), Iryn Namubiru, Benon, Robert Ssegawa (choir leader) as a team to create music for Happy Science.
We were able to come together because we have the same aim of wanting to make people happy. They don't sing for themselves. They sing to make others happy and give love to others. So, we have the same way of thinking - making people happy.
Tell us about the upcoming Master's lecture at Namboole stadium.
Master Ryuho Okawa has been travelling around the world to America, Brazil, Asian countries, Australia, and Europe to preach the universal truth that is needed in each country. And now, for the first time, he is coming to Africa. The title of the lecture is 'The Light of New Hope'. We look forward to seeing you all for this once-in-a-lifetime event on June 23.
Abantu beeyiye e Namboole okulaba
eddiini empya
Jun 25, 2012
Namboole,Kampala.
Eddiini eno eyitibwa Happy Science ekulemberwa Omujapani Master Ryuho Okawa yakubye olukung’aana lwayo olusoose mu Afrika e Namboole ku Lwomukaaga era abayimbi okuli: Jose Chameleone ne Iryn Namubiru be baasoose okucamula abantu abaalwetabyemu.
Okawa mu njiri gye yabuulidde, yategeezezza abagoberezi be nti, Katonda yatonda buli muntu ng’ateekeddwa kubeera musanyufu era obuvunaanyibwa bwe yamukwasa bwe bw’okubuulira enjiri ezuukusa essanyu eriri mu mibiri gy’abantu ebamaleko
‘Obukoowu’ era ebawe n’amaanyi agagoba obwavu n’endwadde. Yakkaatirizza omulamwa gw’eddiini eno omukulu ogugamba nti “Ekitangaala ekireeta essuubi eppya” era yagambye nti baakuggulawo amatabi mangi mu Uganda nga basinziira ku kitebe kyabwe ku Lubaga Road mu Kampala.
