Years ago a friend told me he was an active member of Soka Gakkai. Not knowing anything about it, I later mentioned it to my girlfriend (now my wife), who told me in no uncertain terms that it was a cult, alleging conduct on par with Scientology in terms of their efforts to consolidate political/cultural power and suppress the voices of dissenters and critics.
So what’s the deal? Anyone here had good/bad experiences with Soka Gakkai or its members?
No personal experience. 2nd hand-only, through my mom (who is Japanese).
My impression, listening to her grumbling, is that she views Soka Gakkai the same way (stereotypically) much of modern American society views Scientology (cult-like). Plus, apparently, a negative political element, perceived as disruptive to the fairly stable and predictable political arrangements of Japan.
Remember the US moral panic in the 70s about the Moonies? Something like that, but longer-running.
For my mom, at least, I think the religious angle (“heretic” offshoot of Nichiren Buddhism) may have bothered her some, since her grandfather was a Nichiren priest, and she grew up in the war years when Soka Gakkai was suppressed (and denounced) by the Imperial government.