"The Japanese people of today are still deeply affected by Shinto, both in their culture and thinking. This is one of the reasons it’s difficult for them to accept monotheistic religions such as Christianity.
Shinto is an indigenous religion originating with the Japanese. It is only practiced within Japanese
communities, and it provides the backbone of Japanese culture and national identity.
Shinto deals mostly with this life, and issues such as personal salvation or life after death are not discussed.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3
Shinto is written in two Kanji (Chinese characters), 神道, namely, 神 which is “god(s)” and 道 which is “way.” So it can literally mean “god’s way” or “gods’ way”.
In Shinto, a god is not like the God of the Bible who is the omnipotent Creator of the world. Shinto gods are basically spirits that are everywhere in nature and also in men—hence the assumption of many gods.
And the times of this ignorance God winked at;... Acts 17:30
When rice cropping was brought to Japan in the third century B.C., people started to settle down into villages, forming units in an agricultural society. It is most likely that at that time the prototype of Shinto was formed. People tried to placate perceived spirits by worshiping them as gods and making sacrificial offerings to them—even going so far as to offer up the lives of women and children (according to lore). This was done in order to secure the villagers’ lives and crops from natural disasters. Festivals were held according to the farming calendar.
Success and prosperity are ensured by purchasing ofuda (paper with a god’s name on it) or omamori (good luck charms) at shrines.
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing,... Ecclesiastes 9:5
As Shinto developed, not only spirits living in nature but also ancestors’ spirits were enshrined as gods. After death, ancestors’ spirits were believed to become guardian gods, watching over and protecting their living descendants.
Shinto adherents rely on the folklore and ancient histories that are kept in Kojiki (meaning “old
matters”) and Nihon Shoki (Japan chronicles), which give some background accounts to Shinto beliefs.
In those books are written the accounts of how the gods created various physical entities including the islands of Japan. They also explain how gods and men once lived, even marrying each other. Those gods are now viewed as guardian angels, thus they are respected. Kojiki and Nihon Shoki also record that Japan’s emperors are the direct descendants of the famous Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun—with special care being taken to explain how emperors are fully sanctioned to rule over Japan. This leads to worshiping the emperor as a living god—seen recently in the days of World War II.
As maintained throughout this chapter, Shinto is mythology deeply entwined with Japanese national history and ethnic identity. For those who wish to share the gospel with the Japanese, it is important to understand how their mindset is influenced by these Shinto roots and approach them carefully."
AIG
Shinto is an indigenous religion originating with the Japanese. It is only practiced within Japanese
Shinto deals mostly with this life, and issues such as personal salvation or life after death are not discussed.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3
Shinto is written in two Kanji (Chinese characters), 神道, namely, 神 which is “god(s)” and 道 which is “way.” So it can literally mean “god’s way” or “gods’ way”.
In Shinto, a god is not like the God of the Bible who is the omnipotent Creator of the world. Shinto gods are basically spirits that are everywhere in nature and also in men—hence the assumption of many gods.
And the times of this ignorance God winked at;... Acts 17:30
Success and prosperity are ensured by purchasing ofuda (paper with a god’s name on it) or omamori (good luck charms) at shrines.
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing,... Ecclesiastes 9:5
As Shinto developed, not only spirits living in nature but also ancestors’ spirits were enshrined as gods. After death, ancestors’ spirits were believed to become guardian gods, watching over and protecting their living descendants.
Shinto adherents rely on the folklore and ancient histories that are kept in Kojiki (meaning “old
In those books are written the accounts of how the gods created various physical entities including the islands of Japan. They also explain how gods and men once lived, even marrying each other. Those gods are now viewed as guardian angels, thus they are respected. Kojiki and Nihon Shoki also record that Japan’s emperors are the direct descendants of the famous Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun—with special care being taken to explain how emperors are fully sanctioned to rule over Japan. This leads to worshiping the emperor as a living god—seen recently in the days of World War II.
As maintained throughout this chapter, Shinto is mythology deeply entwined with Japanese national history and ethnic identity. For those who wish to share the gospel with the Japanese, it is important to understand how their mindset is influenced by these Shinto roots and approach them carefully."
AIG
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth,
will draw all men unto me.
John 12:32
