Odd how you managed to mischaracterize historical reality with "smearing."

In fact, when I originally commented on your piece, I was applauding the Japanese for resisting religion and championing secularism. I think most civilized people in the world recognize secularism as an important, even vital, value.

Face it, Christianity, combined with government anyway, leads to oppression and atrocity. In the United States, most Christians are truly disgusting people. Christian nationalism is creating waves of terror here.

If you're Black, an immigrant, or LGBTQ you're very likely afraid of Christians, who don't hesitate to use their religious values to hurt you as much as they can — to impose their moralizing, judgmental values on you by force of law. To elect monsters like Donald Trump or Ron DeSantis.

Not all Christians are terrible people. I have many friends who are progressive Christians, who are genuinely warm and loving people. But they're the exception, the rare exception.

All my life, I've experienced Christianity as an evil, persecuting force.

I'm sure the Japanese are delighted that they kept that sickness out of their country.