"I couldn't talk to anyone, I couldn't tell my parents, and I've been suppressing it all my life," a



22-year-old man who was born to parents who are members of the former Unification Church muttered quietly.

Ever since he was in elementary school, he has questioned dogma.



When he was in junior high school, his friendships were checked, and when it became known that he had a girlfriend, he was scolded, saying, "It's disgusting. Break up quickly."



He didn't know who to turn to except for his family, and he continued to worry until he fell into depression, but one encounter changed him.



Throughout his 20 years, he explores the anguish and hints of support for underage “religious second generations” who question the compulsion of their faith.

When I was in elementary school, I questioned the doctrine, but I couldn't speak

The man's parents were devout followers of the former Unification Church, and his mother was said to have been the coordinator of the women believers in the district.

Ever since I can remember, I went to church every Sunday and fasted.



When I was in the upper grades of elementary school, I looked up information about the former Unification Church on the Internet and found information that contradicted its doctrine.

From then on, I began to have doubts.


However, the question was not even raised among the family, and the practice of dogma continued.

I participated in a study session held at 4:00 in the morning and was taught the doctrine.

A big event was held even on weekdays, and I took time off from school to participate.



“I sang songs to remove the spirits from my body, and my body was tapped lightly as if I was brushing off the dust.

SNS exchanges are checked without permission and "such a dirty thing"...

When I was a junior high school student, I was allowed to have a smartphone, but I was allowed to check my communication with friends on SNS without permission.



She got a girlfriend when she was in the first year of junior high school.

However···.



Man


: “He saw my LINE exchanges with my girlfriend without permission and told me, ‘Did you do such a dirty thing? It’s disgusting. It was very painful.”



Many believers denied free love before marriage, and even in male households, conversation with women of the same age was prohibited.

I can't say my true feelings, I don't even think to ask for help

Despite this experience, the man could not tell his parents that he did not believe in the teachings of the former Unification Church.

In his late teens he began to suffer from insomnia and headaches.

There were times when I could barely sleep for about three weeks.



However, he was reluctant to go to the hospital.

When I asked him why, he told me an episode that had happened before.



"I bought a 'prayer form' at the cult's facility, which says that if you talk to your parents when you get sick, you can write down your wishes and God will grant them. Everything about me is tied to the doctrine, After that, I didn't even think about going to the hospital anymore."



When I was 19, my symptoms became more serious, and I couldn't stand it anymore, so I went to the hospital without my parents.

He was diagnosed with depression and had to give up on his goal of going to college.



Even though he suffered so much, he couldn't tell his parents his true feelings, and he didn't think about asking for help from the government or other people around him.



“Even if their actions are wrong, their parents are doing it for the best of their children. I thought that even if I consulted with the government, they would say things like, 'This is a problem to be solved within my own family.'

As if planning to run away from home, a chance encounter happened at that time

A man who felt that it was hard to live like this started planning to run away from home.

Around that time, I had a chance encounter.



This is Ms. Ayae Matsuda, a social worker who continues to consult with second-generation religious people through SNS.

The man was introduced to a Nisei who met on SNS and met Mr. Matsuda.

Ayae Matsuda


“I still vividly remember how painful it was when I met a man. I also felt uneasy because I had experienced cases in the past where the government office did not respond.”



Mr. In addition to receiving public assistance as a child, I also took steps to prevent my parents from knowing my whereabouts.



She was also connected to a support group and received furniture and other items.

With Mr. Matsuda's support, the man left home at the age of 20 and cut contact with his family.



Mr. Matsuda is still in regular contact with the man to support him.

"Be a person who can be useful someday"

In the two years since he ran away from home, he has lived almost alone without contacting his local friends in order to prevent his parents from knowing where he is.

Currently, I am looking for a job while continuing treatment with the aim of becoming independent.



He says that his dream is to make use of his self-taught knowledge of programming and other things to work in the game industry.

"Someday, I want to become a person who can help others regardless of circumstances or religion."

How to help underage “religious second generation” who can’t raise their voices

In October, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare issued a notice to municipalities with child guidance centers.

We ask that children not be negatively treated on the grounds of religion, and we will respond appropriately to physical violence and child abuse that hurts children's hearts.



What can we do to support the second generation who are asking for help but are unable to raise their voices?



Professor Yoshihide Sakurai of Hokkaido University, who specializes in the sociology of religion and has spent many years interviewing former Unification Church members, says the presence of supporters like Mr. Matsuda is a hint.

Professor Yoshihide Sakurai of Hokkaido University


“Even if a minor second-generation person has a problem, it is difficult to find the appropriate contact point among the numerous administrative contact points. In order to solve this situation, supporters with specialized knowledge such as social workers, mental health social workers, and certified psychologists are appropriate for second generation. It is important for the government to play the role of bridging the administrative window, and it is desirable for the government to develop a system, including subsidies for supporters, so that such support will not be interrupted.”