That's an excellent way to put it, "muzzling questions and shutting you down." That's all I ever encountered my entire time in the cult gakkai (from salaried "leaders").
I chalked Williams' bizarre behavior up to his frustrations and obsessions in converting a christian nation over to the cult side.
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Another video, this one from a Japanese citizen who went "undercover" posing as a gakkai (cult) member to the Shinanomachi HQ area. It's all in Japanese, but you get a look as to the insular community the cult has created there and a sense of how people on the outside view and feel about it. The comments section is also very revealing.
The video takes you from the station, to the official cult bookstore, cafe shops, "You Are Here" directory board and then around to different cult buildings. Photos of cult colored paraphernalia include, a hand fan, cult colors (red, yellow & blue) on display to identify cult friendly businesses, and cult sweet cakes wrapped in special cult paper served alongside some coffee/tea.
Video also mentions that there was a lot of "
CONGRATULATIONS!!" going on (in the cult, they like to congratulate you for everything, in this case probably for making the trip and visiting cult land), inquiries about were you are from/details and "please come back soon", etc.. There's also advice to people who may venture into the area, if they run into trouble (i.e., harassment or being followed) to call the police (but you do need to be aware that calling the police can also be luck of the draw as to whether you get a cult-friendly police officer or a cult-neutral one).
Some of the comments go on to mention how creepy it must have been for him to venture there and how much courage it took to do it.
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When you are a member, especially a non-Japanese speaking one, all of this kind of stuff just flies right over your head. There is, however, a palpable sense of distrust, ingratiating falseness and oppressive authority vaguely floating in the air everywhere in the cult HQ area. All Japanese non-cult members feel it and so will you once you become cognizant of it. I'd say it's the equivalent to walking around a Scientology community in America. Just replace the bookstore with Hubbard books, the paraphernalia with Scientology logos and place Sea-Org security all around, you pretty much have the same effect.
The person who filmed it also states that he was scared, he felt it was dangerous and advises against going alone (only do it in a group). I'll admit, I've had too much experience with the cult to be too creeped out about it all, but if you don't know their ways, I can see how it can be scary. Most Japanese people feel the same - uneasy about the area. I've mentioned before, too, how even trying to get a taxi to the cult community can be a gamble - some will take you, others won't and some will even feign ignorance saying they don't know where it is or how to get there (which is an extremely lame excuse coming from a taxi driver. I'm not sure they could even get away with this now, because of the ubiquitous car navigation devices in the industry). The area, however, is generally avoided by your average Japanese citizen.
If you are a foreign member, visiting in a group, then it becomes like Cult-Disneyland, groups of members are brought out to line up and applaud your arrival, with plastered smiles, bows, waving gakkai flags and handing out little trinkets of cult paraphernalia mementos. You might even be deceived into thinking that all of Japan is like this. It's a manufactured alternative cult reality that washes over you to make you feel good. You will be welcomed everywhere and even leave with a bag (or two) full of cult goodies (dear leader bookmarks, poetry cards, dear leader photograph post cards, advertisements, reading samples, etc.). Another bizarre aspect to take note of, if you are aware of it, is how super "UP" everybody is (again, just like Disneyland). "
CONGRATULATIONS!!" If you are a heavy kool-aid drinker, you may even convince yourself that it is because everybody "practices" and has sensei in their heart. Well, ironically, that, in a way, is true. I would also like to add, however, that once on the inside, especially as a private member (not part of an expected visiting travel group), you will see stern faced soka-han ($oka police force) with earpieces standing guard over all floor access points (stairs, elevators, especially staff offices) - it's a bit reminiscent of the secret service guarding the President.
I advise serious International members to check it out sometime and see for yourself. You may think your eyes are open, but can you
really see? You are part of a filthy rich International pseudo-buddhist cult of the dear leader personality that has spread abroad. It reached its saturation point a long time ago in America (the flame ignited in the hippie 60's, blossomed in the New Age 70's, before blazing out in a spectacular self-destructive fireworks display in the 80's, followed shortly thereafter by a schizophrenic meltdown in the 90's. What you have now is a lost regrouping, IMO. With Ikeda on the way out, they may even be trying to eventually shed the "Dear Leader" mentality stigmata that has plagued them. How they can omit the center of gravity and not spin out of control remains to be seen.), but it is spreading like wildfire in other nations with acutely susceptible societal structures (e.g., Brazil, India, Italy - Vatican anyone?, etc.).
Inform yourself and
think for yourself. This mb is the best place on the web to start.