Believer and activist for freedom of religion describes the great joy that her faith gives her
Continuing to Advocate for Freedom of Religion Despite Pressure
Prepared by Knut Holdhus
“An interview with Hiromi Hiroto (廣渡広美さん), (picture above) a woman in her 40s from Fukuoka Prefecture and a member of the Family Federation, was originally published on October 14, 2024, on the website of the Family Federation in Japan.”
The “Kyushu Association for the Protection of Fundamental Human Rights and Freedom of Religion” was formed by members of the Family Federation in the Kyushu region and their supporters. From October 2023 to August 2024, they held symposiums in Fukuoka City and various parts of Kyushu on the themes of the unjust dissolution order request against the Family Federation and freedom of religion. They also gave speeches and held demonstrations in front of stations and on the street.
This time, we spoke with Hiromi Hiroto, who took the stage as a representative of the believers at a symposium held in Fukuoka City, passionately expressing the feelings of the church members [Editor’s note: Until 2015 the Family Federation in Japan was called the Unification Church].
Q: Thank you for joining us today. A video of you speaking at the symposium is available on the “Kyushu Association” YouTube channel. Before we ask you about the thoughts behind your speech, could you first tell us about your feelings towards the faith of the Family Federation?
A: I was introduced to the faith when I was 29 years old, and at that time, I was already married with children. While raising my young children, I had my own ideals of becoming a “cute wife” and a “kind mother”. However, in reality, I was always struggling with how things didn’t go as well as I had hoped.
Around that time, I attended a lecture held at the church. During that lecture, I found a path that could resolve all the conflicts and doubts I had been struggling with. I was deeply moved. Actually, since I was in the fifth grade, my parents had encouraged me to chant Buddhist scriptures, but I wanted to understand religious truths more deeply in modern terms. However, when I heard the content of the Unification Principles, I felt that all the answers were there.
Then, during the lecture, when it was said, “The True Parents of humanity are there,” I cried from the bottom of my heart like never before. I felt like a lost child finally reunited with the parents, and I cried my heart out.
It was such a great joy for me that I told my husband about it. He said, “If you’re enjoying it, keep going. If you’re not, then stop.” Since then, everything – from learning at the church to practicing my faith – has been incredibly enjoyable, and I’ve continued for nearly 20 years now. My life, which I had once struggled with, has become something precious. I now feel that my family and the people in my community are irreplaceable. It feels like I’ve gained more treasures in my life.
Standing in front of the station to give speeches as part of the activities of the “Kyushu Association for the Protection of Freedom of Religion” is something that people around me commend. But for me, I’m standing there desperately to protect something important.
My life of faith is truly full of joy. However, the current situation surrounding the Family Federation is tough. I try to live my daily life with a smile, but it is painful how the Family Federation is being scrutinized harshly. I want to express how seriously difficult our current position is. Honestly, I just want to continue sharing the good aspects of the Family Federation. At the same time, I realize that I haven’t made enough effort to communicate the truth until now, which is why I stand in front of the station.
After the incident [Editor’s note: the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe] in July 2022, there was a surge of negative media coverage about the Family Federation. I felt frustrated that the true nature of our church was not being conveyed, leading to misunderstandings. I also saw my children being hurt and confused by the changes in society’s attitude toward the Family Federation. Every day, I thought about how I could protect my children and how I could defend the Family Federation.
So, I decided to start by cherishing my own family, and I made sure to fully listen to and answer all of my children’s struggles and questions. I could sense that my children had doubts, wondering if their mother was really doing the right thing. I faced those doubts head-on until they were resolved. Thankfully, I have lived my church life without any domestic conflicts.
I became a little worried when it was decided that I would give a speech as a representative of the believers at the symposium “Fukuoka Assembly for the Protection of Freedom of Religion” in October 2023. It was held to protest the unjust dissolution request against the Family Federation. However, then I witnessed the church leader, a second-generation blessed member, praying, “Please forgive our shortcomings.” It’s one thing for us first-generation members to say that as we made a deliberate choice to join the church. But I felt that second-generation members shouldn’t have to say it. That strengthened my resolve.
What I was thinking about in preparation for the speech was, first, that there are people with a heart who will definitely listen somewhere. And second, Also, although the incident in 2022 [Editor’s note: the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe] was the trigger, in reality, there has been prejudice and persecution against religion in Japan for a long time. Before encountering the Family Federation, I used to chant Buddhist sutras, but I always felt the difficulty of openly expressing my faith in Japanese society.
I also realized that there are still people around the world today whose freedom of thought is oppressed. I felt that my call for freedom of religion could also serve as a way to release their unfulfilled desires. That was the mindset I took to the symposium.
When I took the stage on the day of the symposium, I felt an overwhelming pressure. I had prepared a script, but I felt like I was reaching the limits of my mental and physical strength, to the point where I wasn’t sure if I could make it to the end.
For the first time, I felt what it must have been like for believers who had risked their lives to protect their faith. As I stood there as the “representative” of the believers, it felt as though all the unexpressed pain and frustration of those who had suffered throughout the long history of the Family Federation were pressing down on me all at once. It made me realize how different this role was from standing there as an “individual” believer.
Additionally, I consider the members of the Family Federation to be my family, so I also had a strong desire to protect them. With that feeling, I continue to stand in front of the station. It might sound a bit presumptuous, but I want the church members to have more confidence and to be happy. I also want to show them, through my own example, that it’s okay for them to stand up too.
Q: Thank you very much. One more question, please. The issue of “second-generation religious members” has become a social issue, particularly concerning conflicts over passing on faith to children. How do you approach this with your own children?
A: Since I’ve had the experience of my life being transformed through this church, of course, I want my children to find something valuable here as well. However, I’m careful about the words I use with them because I don’t want them to feel like their faith or participation in church activities is being forced upon them.
My older child remembers what I was like before I encountered the church and has said, “I think it’s great that you found the church, Mom.” My younger child also has strong opinions and has told me, “I understand what you’re trying to say, Mom.” I make sure to clearly convey what I want to communicate while respecting their own choices and autonomy.
Additionally, I always want to be my children’s biggest supporter. That’s why I feel deeply grateful when they say things like, “Even after hearing my friends talk, I think my mom is better,” or “I’m really fortunate to have such a great family.” Those words mean a lot to me.
Also, although my children are from a different generation and have different perspectives, I’m so thankful that they don’t hold back from expressing their opinions to me. They often say insightful things that make me realize a lot. I’m not the most broad-minded person, so I’m grateful that they teach me about the things they care about. It makes my life so enjoyable even now.
Q: I see. Thank you for sharing such valuable insights with us today.
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