Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 12, No. 1, 1995, page 57
(c) Then, around 10 October 1989, UCZ visited the domicile of PB. On this occasion, UCZ
told PB that she (UCZ), as a member of the UC, had been involved in activities to procure
funds for the UC vis-a-vis what is referred to as “the business of Spiritual Sales.” UCZ
proceeded to tell PB that she (UCZ) had decided to resign from the UC as she had recently
become aware that the UC had been “doing terrible things.” UCZ further told PB that from
the very beginning the UC had schemed to appropriate PB‟s donation of 2,100,000 yen. UCZ
then apologized to PB for causing her so much trouble and inconvenience. Finally, UCZ
spoke to persuade PB to stop going to the Sunflower Society before PB became too deeply
involved.
Upon being told the above story, PB consequently resolved to sever all ties with the UC, and
thus, stopped going to the Sunflower Society.
It shall be mentioned here that subsequent to the above incidents, PB was able to recover
damages for the purchased signature seal by an out-of-court settlement with Toa Shoji Co.,
Ltd. PB was also able to recover the total sum of loaned monies equaling 5,500,000 yen.
All above facts are recognized as true and valid.
Part II: Deliberation on the illegality of the aforesaid acts of solicitation for the
procurement of monetary donations carried out by members of the UC
Section A
Generally, with respect to acts in which members of a specific religion solicit monetary
donations by the use of narratives describing the spiritual world and/or ancestral karmas,
neither of which have been proven to exist:
Where the demands for donations as relevant to said religion or religious
organization, etc., are based on socially appropriate objectives, and
Where methods and results of the above acts (as stated in the previous clause)
required for such donations are appropriate in light of social norms
It may be recognized that the above-said acts exist within the domain of
appropriate religious activities of religious organizations, and that said acts are in
no way unlawful.
However, contrary to the presumption of the previous statement and relevant to the case in
question:
Whereas the said acts of solicitation for the procurement of monetary donations
deviate from the above-said domain, and
Whereas the objectives of these same acts were established on ill intentions such
as the acquisition of profits by deceitful procurement of monetary donations, and
Whereas inappropriate methods --such as inducing prospective donors to feel
apprehension, despair and/or insecurity by the use of narratives concerning the
spiritual world and ancestral karmas as well as the incitement of warnings of
dangers or harm that would result from the same spiritual world and ancestral
karmas --were readily implemented, then
Clearly, (1) it is difficult to assert that the above-said acts of solicitation for the
procurement of monetary donations are socially appropriate, and (2) in
relationship to the subject of tortious acts as defined in Japanese Civil Law, the
same said acts deserve to be evaluated as unlawful.
(c) Then, around 10 October 1989, UCZ visited the domicile of PB. On this occasion, UCZ
told PB that she (UCZ), as a member of the UC, had been involved in activities to procure
funds for the UC vis-a-vis what is referred to as “the business of Spiritual Sales.” UCZ
proceeded to tell PB that she (UCZ) had decided to resign from the UC as she had recently
become aware that the UC had been “doing terrible things.” UCZ further told PB that from
the very beginning the UC had schemed to appropriate PB‟s donation of 2,100,000 yen. UCZ
then apologized to PB for causing her so much trouble and inconvenience. Finally, UCZ
spoke to persuade PB to stop going to the Sunflower Society before PB became too deeply
involved.
Upon being told the above story, PB consequently resolved to sever all ties with the UC, and
thus, stopped going to the Sunflower Society.
It shall be mentioned here that subsequent to the above incidents, PB was able to recover
damages for the purchased signature seal by an out-of-court settlement with Toa Shoji Co.,
Ltd. PB was also able to recover the total sum of loaned monies equaling 5,500,000 yen.
All above facts are recognized as true and valid.
Part II: Deliberation on the illegality of the aforesaid acts of solicitation for the
procurement of monetary donations carried out by members of the UC
Section A
Generally, with respect to acts in which members of a specific religion solicit monetary
donations by the use of narratives describing the spiritual world and/or ancestral karmas,
neither of which have been proven to exist:
Where the demands for donations as relevant to said religion or religious
organization, etc., are based on socially appropriate objectives, and
Where methods and results of the above acts (as stated in the previous clause)
required for such donations are appropriate in light of social norms
It may be recognized that the above-said acts exist within the domain of
appropriate religious activities of religious organizations, and that said acts are in
no way unlawful.
However, contrary to the presumption of the previous statement and relevant to the case in
question:
Whereas the said acts of solicitation for the procurement of monetary donations
deviate from the above-said domain, and
Whereas the objectives of these same acts were established on ill intentions such
as the acquisition of profits by deceitful procurement of monetary donations, and
Whereas inappropriate methods --such as inducing prospective donors to feel
apprehension, despair and/or insecurity by the use of narratives concerning the
spiritual world and ancestral karmas as well as the incitement of warnings of
dangers or harm that would result from the same spiritual world and ancestral
karmas --were readily implemented, then
Clearly, (1) it is difficult to assert that the above-said acts of solicitation for the
procurement of monetary donations are socially appropriate, and (2) in
relationship to the subject of tortious acts as defined in Japanese Civil Law, the
same said acts deserve to be evaluated as unlawful.
