 Religion
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The law giving freedom of religion to the people of Japan was guaranteed
in the constitution of 1889. Strangely, this act was helped along through
the cooperation of the Buddhists. It seemed that, even though they hated
Christianity, they allowed it to be included in the act, so they could
get the law passed. The Buddhists had been suffering since Shintoism had
been declared the state religion. In other words, passing the law was
more important to them than destroying Christianity in this country.
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Therefore, today we have the religions of Buddhism, Shintoism and Christianity
in Japan, plus many others. Some may ask how this diversity affects the
people. The answer is: It suits them admirably, and they rely on all three.
Under Buddhism, the people take care of their duties to their dead ancestors
and to their own lives. Under Shintoism, they maintain their feeling of
nationalism and their relationship to nature. Under Christianity, they
can enjoy the blessing of their marriages, the Christmas holiday, and
the feeling of having heaven to go to after their death.
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Many Japanese rely on all three religions, as their particular situation
demands. For those people, the diversity makes good sense, but of course
belief in three religions goes against the teaching of Christianity, but
few Japanese are Christians. The Japanese have adjusted their lifestyles
to take advantage of the benefits of all religions. Some people without
any religious affiliations have been heard to say that the Japanese are
pretty clever. Who doubted that? Certainly not me!
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My personal feeling is that if you try to take advantage of God, you
are making a serious mistake! God knows all, and we can hide nothing from
the part of God that exists in each of us. I am not a Christian, but I
believe that God is in each of our hearts, watching, waiting, and trying
to help. God is love, and love is with us always.
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