Page 277 - Islam and Far Eastern Religions
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scended into aggression, fascism and imperialism that had no regard
for the rights of other nations.
Japan attacked and made war with China (1894 – 1895) and then
Russia (1904 – 1905); they easily won both. In the 1930’s they occupied
Manchuria and committed unbelievable atrocities against the civilian
population in their war against China. In 1937, Japanese forces occu-
pied the city of Nanking, China where 300,000 innocent people became
subjected to an orgy of torture, rape and genocide. During the Second
World War Japan attacked Malaysia, Singapore, New Guinea, Manila
and Java. These wars further increased the power of State Shintoism.
Chamberlain describes the conquest policies of the “New perverse
Shinto Religion” as follows:
All military successes were ascribed to the miraculous influence of the
Emperor’s virtue, and to the virtues of His Imperial and divine ancestors —
that is, of former Emperors and of Shinto deities. Imperial envoys were regu-
larly sent after each great victory to carry the good tidings to the imaginary
Sun Goddess at her great shrine at Ise. Not there alone, but at the other prin-
cipal Shinto shrines throughout the land, the cannon captured from Chinese or
Russian foes were officially installed, with a view to identifying Imperialism,
Shinto, and national glory in the popular mind. The new legend is enforced
wherever feasible — for instance, by means of a new set of festivals celebrating
Imperial official events. 120
A work titled “History of Religious Statism and Buddhism in
Japan” explained that Japans imperialism was founded on “State
Shintoism”. During the war with China (1937-1945), the Prime Minister
at that time, Hiranuma Kiichiro, pointed out that “All religions should be
made to comply with Japan’s national policies and should in no way conflict
with the strategy of the empire” he also said, «Those who act differently will
be punished.». Laws were passed that assured the government’s total
control over all religious entities, but these laws were used to promote
Harun Yahya (Adnan Oktar)