Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on October 2010

Born-Again

Regarding “Big Brother” (Feature, September 24): Even as an atheist I can appreciate that this is a good thing. Some people need religion to keep themselves in check, [and] I don’t mean that as a put down. If religion can help criminals stop their evil ways, then good luck to them.—Charltzy*

Sheep are always sheep. They need someone to follow. This guy followed his yak leaders, living under their tyranny to do whatever they told him. Now he has traded one master for another, and he has the ramblings of ancient desert prophets to dictate his actions.

Too often these “breaking good” converts are the worst sort of ultra-maniac Bible thumpers. Trying too hard to bury their black past by becoming born-again zealots. Doing “God’s” work, which often amounts to making other people feel bad or guilty about their lives, or telling others how they are going to hell if they don’t comply.
Religion is a plague that humanity would be better off without.—tkoind2**

As always a well written and well researched piece by Brett Bull. You can follow him on Twitter at @tokyoreporter.

All religions were created/founded by a man to control the hearts and minds of other men. Religions are thus an illusion. The only reality is, of course, love. What Tatsuya Shindo has found is love. Why he cannot simply say that I have no idea, but hopefully one day he will. Where he is now is part of his journey towards that, I guess. —michaelqtodd**

I enjoy seeing the reactions here, the fact that Shindo’s adopted religion so enrages atheists, so many of whom like to think they are real independent, original thinkers when in fact many of them panic at reading the experience and choices of someone like this guy. Some atheists are terrified to discover there are people like Shindo, people who hit rock bottom but refuse to put their faith in the State and its social engineers. Some of the people above actually want him to go back to his criminal ways—they probably view criminals as “victims” and polite “bourgeois” society as the worthy target of the criminal’s violence and depredations.—MisterCreosote**

Mr. Shindo is preaching for money. Where are his good works? Simple. There are none. He has learned from the best that you can have money and sex with religion. So, Shindo—good luck with this one! A tiger has not changed his spots at all, it seems.
—TheRat**

TheRat: A tiger has not changed his spots at all, it seems.
Zoological Fail—SimonFox**

Hero or Zero?

Regarding “Day of the Dolphin” (Star Struck, September 24): Ric O’Barry is one of the heroes of the world. He is right at the cusp of the huge problem we all, as humans, face. What is our role in the world ecosystem? I would like to visit him and talk to him about this while he is holed up in his hotel. I saw the film. It was quite appalling, but the final scene was great!—darthmiffy*

O’Barry is a moron. His love has turned into so much hatred that it overshadows his reasoning. These anti-whaling crusaders are highly emotional and don’t acknowledge that there might be a valid view on the matter. The “other side” is just portrayed as pure evil. His film, together with the highly close-minded and ethnocentric anti-whale campaign, in fact does more damage than good because it digs ditches and incites people against each other. —neogreenjapan**

* taken from the Metropolis online comment threads
** taken from the Japan Today online comment threads

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