Controversial religion from Japan finds success in Uganda, infuriating Christian clerics [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Controversial religion from Japan finds success in Uganda, infuriating Christian clerics
By Associated Press, Published: July 10

KAMPALA, Uganda — A religion with origins in Japan is quickly amassing a following in Uganda, winning converts in a sleek campaign that has attracted the attention of Christian clerics offended by its beliefs.

Happy Science advertises itself as a global religion with a goal of teaching “the truth about life, the world and ourselves.” The religion says it’s grand mission is to create a world filled with love, peace, harmony and prosperity.

The success of Happy Science in Uganda was put on public display late last month at a lecture given by the religion’s middle-aged Japanese founder on his first visit to Africa. Buses decorated with the image of Happy Science founder Ryuho Okawa ferried people from all over Uganda to attend his lecture inside the national stadium, causing traffic jams and upsetting athletes who had planned to use the space for Olympic trials.

Happy Science officials do not know precisely how many converts they have won since coming to Uganda in 2008, but they say most of the 10,000 people who attended Okawa’s lecture were believers. Uganda’s population, one of the youngest in the world, is heavily Christian, and Happy Science officials want to use the East African country as a springboard for what they hope will be success across Africa.


Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/controversial-religion-from-japan-finds-success-in-uganda-infuriating-christian-clerics/2012/07/10/gJQAnxcEaW_story.html