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HitchQuote
The Anticult
Saw an interesting documentary on pre-war and wartime Japan.
It shows where Ikeda's perverse and extremist beliefs come from.
I've always felt that many of the original Japanese gakkai songs have a strong element of triumphant WWII-esque propaganda type tone/melody. One that is designed to blatantly pump people up, put their critical faculties to sleep and encourage nothing but sheer emotionalism to dominate.
The absolute key to understanding this cult, lies with understanding Japan, its history and its customs. I believe a whole book/thesis could be written on this very subject.
And that would be a huge reason, Hitch, why the Soka Gakkai has and will not be happily embraced by the masses in the Western Hemisphere, not to mention Europe. I'm suspecting the reason why they do have a strong foothold in Brazil is due to the good-sized Japanese immigration over the years.
We've spoken here not long ago in regards to my question about the people in Japan who are very suspicious and critical of the Gakkai, not wanting any part of it, culture or no. That still fascinates me.
Why Ikeda thought he could gain such immense influence in the West, I dunno.