Fabian Fucan (1565-1621), born a Buddhist and later converted to Christianity by Jesuit missionaries, ultimately rejected Christianity and became a staunch critic. His reasons were complex and multifaceted, but here's a breakdown of the key factors:
* Growing Nationalism and Anti-Foreign Sentiment: As the Tokugawa Shogunate consolidated power, suspicion of foreign influence, including Christianity, grew. Fucan was influenced by this sentiment, which saw Christianity as a threat to Japanese culture and social order.
* Perceived Moral Corruption of Converts: Fucan observed what he saw as hypocrisy and moral failings among Japanese Christians. He felt that many converts were insincere, using Christianity for personal gain or social advancement rather than genuine faith. He criticized their alleged greed, deceit, and disrespect for traditional Japanese values.
* Disillusionment with Jesuit Power and Influence: Fucan became critical of the Jesuits' perceived power and ambition. He may have viewed them as wielding excessive influence within the Christian community and potentially meddling in Japanese politics.
* Conflict Between Christian Doctrine and Japanese Values: Fucan likely struggled with reconciling Christian teachings with deeply ingrained Japanese cultural values and beliefs, especially those related to ancestor veneration, filial piety, and social hierarchy.
* Fear of Western Imperialism: There was a growing concern that Christianity was a precursor to Western colonization. Fucan may have shared this fear and saw rejecting Christianity as a way to protect Japan from foreign domination.
* Personal Ambition: It's been suggested that Fucan's rejection of Christianity and shift towards Confucianism may have been partly driven by personal ambition. He may have seen an opportunity to gain favor with the Tokugawa Shogunate, which was increasingly promoting Confucianism as a tool for social control and national unity.
In essence, Fucan's rejection of Christianity was a complex interplay of personal disillusionment, nationalist sentiment, concerns about moral corruption, and anxieties about foreign influence. His writings, particularly *Deus Destroyed*, reflected these concerns and contributed to the broader discourse surrounding Christianity's place in Japan during a period of significant political and social change.