Naotake Sato Petition

Naotake Sato

My dear General MacArthur:

The undersigned request your indulgence in our quest for an opportunity to exercise the benefits of fraternization which will enable the true democratic principles so firmly and nobly amplified by you, by giving your permission and blessings that we may join the Masonic Order.

During the past year much interest had been shown amongst the Japanese people in Masonry and through the fine and inspiring orientations on the subject of Masonry, Major Michael Rivisto, of your headquarters and Master of the Tokyo Masonic Lodge, has completely won over our hearts in this great philosophy of brotherhood.

The Japanese people have in the past been kept ignorant on the subject of Freemasonry and there have been malicious attacks upon the great and benevolent fraternity. The forces of evil which distorted the minds and hearts of our people concerning Freemasonry are the same tyrants that have cropped up in many other countries, with the intent to suppress the freedom taught by you and your beloved Country America.

Our people cannot in the absence of knowledge on the philosophy of Freemasonry be considered hostile to its tenets and teachings. Rather, with our understanding of Freemasonry, it is Freemasonry which should assist our people to enlighten and bridge the distance between brotherhood of man.

The prerequisite, we are told, for Freemasonry is that a man must beleive in one God and be an upright member of his community. Dear General, please be assured that while many religions exist in this world one fact is unalterable in the minds and hearts to all us conscience and that is, in each and everyone of us we believe that there is a one Unseen Force of the Universe, omnipotent a Supreme Being-this can only be recognized as the same one God, worshipped by many religions. "There are many paths that lead up Mt. Fuji, but regardless of their way they all lead to the one top."

I have been requested by my colleagues and friends to address this intention to you, Sir, expressing our desire and vouch and resolve our solemn faith in the hope, that with your blessings for this permission to partake in this Great fraternity, we can better enable to be of service to democracy and our fellowmen.

Respectfully yours,

Naotake Sato

President

House of Councillors

[Undated, but probably 1949 or 1950]