Thank you for your answer.
I now assume that the heretics of the past were, conversely, rather those who did not betray their faith and they were persecuted and killed only because they questioned orthodoxy, i.e. doubted the authenticity of spiritual intention or secular welfare, yes. The establishment punishes apostates not because they are wrong, but because they are right - and doubt hurts.
I didn't know the background about "SGI" and the United Nations, but I clearly observed how conformist Buddhist centres behaved and how approvingly they, too, took up the distance commandment and the masks in their everyday life - it was the publicly expressed approval that I criticised, not the silent compliance (sometimes you have to cover your intentions). I had by then subscribed to a few YT channels because I regularly listened to Buddhist talks and found much to appreciate in the teachings. I wrote to one of the Order people from the UK criticising their consent attitude. Of course I received no reply.
turn the environmental movement into a new religion for the 21st century.
Yes, one can clearly see the attempt to do so. However, religion, when sustained by faith, is strong. By contrast, virtue signalling is weak and poor by comparison because it is not held up by anything profound.
Critics know that what went on in 2020 ff under Covid was wrong. Those who merely signalled virtue and danced in hospital corridors and clapped at windows have been blinded by a mendacious solidarity. Fake virtuousness increases as religion and genuine trust in each other decreases. Until the pendulum starts swinging the other way again.
I became aware of my own virtue signaling from the past and regretted doing so. I now stay alert to these things since I realized how damaging this can become.
When I say that I want to watch my tongue it is not because of suppressing free speech but more like holding free thoughts. If that makes sense to you.