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The first debate to be held by our brethren in Japan with representatives of Buddhism, opened with the chanting in a weird tone as they kneeled and bowed their heads before the idol of their founder. The first two nights Ishiad affirmed: "Buddhism is the only true religion." Mr. Arishima was supposed to debate for the Buddhists, but at the last minute they substituted a more worthy and capable scholar in Ishida. The two groups were seated in the straw mat covered floor, facing each other. Ishiad said their religion was the only one that could soften the stiffened body of the dead by prayer. But when Cannon offered to bring such a body of some animal for him to demonstrate with, he refused, saying that it could be done only in their place and by one of their priests. Bro. Cannon's main arguments against Buddhism were: (1) The Buddhists have no standard of authority; (2) They have no savior and offer no salvation, only annihilation; (3) Buddhism offers no explanation for the origin of life, freewill, conscience, man's moral capacity, reason and intelligence.
On the third night of the debate moved to Yoyogi-Hachiman church building and was conducted much in the same as debates in America. Judge Inomatta, a member of the church, served as chairman. Bro. Cannon affirmed: "Christianity is the only true religion." Only a few Buddhists attended the two nights the discussion was held in their temple, but to our surprise more than 100 young Buddhists of college age came to our church building. We believe this debate was a victory for truth. Our brethren were strengthened. Many came from Iboraki, Yamanashi and other distant points and slept on the floor of the church building for four nights. Joseph Cannon did a good job defending the truth. He has mastered their language, one of the most difficult, and debated with them with ease.
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Joe Cannon vs Mr. Ishiad (Buddhist)
May 8, 1952
Japan
(By George Gurganus)
May 8, 1952
Japan
(By George Gurganus)
The first debate to be held by our brethren in Japan with representatives of Buddhism, opened with the chanting in a weird tone as they kneeled and bowed their heads before the idol of their founder. The first two nights Ishiad affirmed: "Buddhism is the only true religion." Mr. Arishima was supposed to debate for the Buddhists, but at the last minute they substituted a more worthy and capable scholar in Ishida. The two groups were seated in the straw mat covered floor, facing each other. Ishiad said their religion was the only one that could soften the stiffened body of the dead by prayer. But when Cannon offered to bring such a body of some animal for him to demonstrate with, he refused, saying that it could be done only in their place and by one of their priests. Bro. Cannon's main arguments against Buddhism were: (1) The Buddhists have no standard of authority; (2) They have no savior and offer no salvation, only annihilation; (3) Buddhism offers no explanation for the origin of life, freewill, conscience, man's moral capacity, reason and intelligence.
On the third night of the debate moved to Yoyogi-Hachiman church building and was conducted much in the same as debates in America. Judge Inomatta, a member of the church, served as chairman. Bro. Cannon affirmed: "Christianity is the only true religion." Only a few Buddhists attended the two nights the discussion was held in their temple, but to our surprise more than 100 young Buddhists of college age came to our church building. We believe this debate was a victory for truth. Our brethren were strengthened. Many came from Iboraki, Yamanashi and other distant points and slept on the floor of the church building for four nights. Joseph Cannon did a good job defending the truth. He has mastered their language, one of the most difficult, and debated with them with ease.
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