Considering Soka Gakkai as a Popular Religion with Reference to Issues Related to Social Strata and Politics

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  • 民衆宗教としての創価学会 : 社会層と国家との関係から
  • ミンシュウ シュウキョウ ト シテ ノ ソウカ ガッカイ シャカイソウ ト コッカ ト ノ カンケイ カラ

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This article considers popular religions to be religious movements that have features, experiences, and "self-understanding" as social, cultural, and political minorities. In order to analyze the interrelations and differences between a popular religion's hierarchical upper elite ruling class and its ordinary believers, it is necessary to develop an original research method that can reveal the latent ruling-ruled functions or relations that exist between these groups. From these perspectives, I will clarify the social strata of Soka Gakkai members and reconsider its religious and political activities. Soka Gakkai's initial character as a popular religion can be seen firstly in its social status as primarily a movement of the lower classes within Japan's urban areas, and secondly in the reestablishment process of their identity that emerged within the difficult postwar conditions. During the social and economic development of the 1970-80s, the members' initial identification as part of a minority gradually weakened as their social status grew and as the notion of "winners" or successful members of society became emphasized within the organization. This change became clearer when Komeito participated in a coalition government with the Liberal Democratic Party. Nevertheless, from this time a widening gap between the political party's ideological position and the religious concerns of Soka Gakkai members, who form Komeito's main support base, has caused the level of support to slip. The relationship between these groups needs to be reexamined and reevaluated in light of these changes.

Journal

  • Religion and Society

    Religion and Society 16 (0), 111-142, 2010

    The Japanese Association for the Study of Religion and Society

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