“There is a philosophy which is vain and deceitful, which is
prejudicial to religion, and sets up the wisdom of man in competition
with the wisdom of God, and while it pleases man’s fantasies
ruins their faith; as nice and curious speculations about things above
us, or of no use and concern to us; or a care of words and terms of art,
which have only an empty and often a cheating appearance of knowledge.”
– Matthew Henry
Yes, reading philosophy could have a negative
impact on the life of a person. When people talk about nurture effects
and the environment, they always think of what parents say and do
directly to their children. It never occurs to them to think of the
books children read that don't have violent or sexual content.
In 1980, Teruyoshi Fukunaga founded the Japanese cult called "Ho No Hana Sanpogyo". It was commonly called the "foot reading cult" because he conspired with senior disciples to "diagnose" problems of new adherents, mostly middle-aged housewives, by reading the soles of their feet and then urging them to attend costly seminars to cure their supposed ailments such as cancer. Soon Fukunaga claimed he was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ and the Buddha.
By the 1990's, the group
claimed 30,000 members. But in 2000, the leaders of the cult, including
Fukunaga, were arrested for defrauding 31 believers of a combined 1.3
million dollars between 1994 and 1997. The judge sentenced them to 12
years in prison. "He satisfied his desire for money in the name of
religion," chief judge Tsutomu Aoyagi said, noting Fukunaga had made a
fortune and lived in a luxury condominium. "It is obvious that seminars
at the sect cannot heal illness or solve problems."In 1980, Teruyoshi Fukunaga founded the Japanese cult called "Ho No Hana Sanpogyo". It was commonly called the "foot reading cult" because he conspired with senior disciples to "diagnose" problems of new adherents, mostly middle-aged housewives, by reading the soles of their feet and then urging them to attend costly seminars to cure their supposed ailments such as cancer. Soon Fukunaga claimed he was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ and the Buddha.
Hollow and deceptive philosophies lead to despair and death. As a person, be careful the kind of books you read and the kind of philosophy you believe in after reading them. Some of these philosophies can lead one to doing certain inhuman things. Engaging in immoral and criminal activities believing they are right through what is written, not even minding the critics.
In your attempt to be "enlightened" and knowledgeable about your environment and issues of life. Be very wary and careful the kind of "materials" you consume. This morning as you pray, ask the Lord to open your eyes to deceits that are hidden behind words.
No comments:
Post a Comment