ey are beginning to break the mold that Japanese society has made for them since ancient times.The Japanese concept of religion would probably seem more like part of a culture to a westerner. The religious attitudes of most Japanese people today "seem to be basically of a pragmatic, rational, or scientific turn of mind" (Morton, 263). Although most people one talks to in Japan claim to be Buddhist, many of the same people also claim to be Shinto. "Japanese may employ Shinto rites when they marry and Buddhist funeral rites when they die" (Morton, 263). It has been Buddhism and Shinto that have contributed most to the Japanese understanding of themselves and the world around them. Shinto has no founder and no sacred scriptures, no specific religious philosophy, or a specific moral code. The Shinto world-view is basically bright and optimistic and its purpose is the celebration and enrichment of life. Worship in Shinto is done to show gratitude to the gods and to secure their continued favor. Since Shinto has no scriptures or moral codes, worship has always had a central place in the religion. Instead of church and Sunday school, it has been through festivals and rituals that Shinto has transmitted its characteristic attitudes and values.The other major Japanese religion, Buddhism, has many scriptures, elaborate doctrines, and a well-organized priesthood. Although its view of the world is quite different than that of Shinto, the optimism that the two share causes them to mesh well. Christianity is also present in Japan, but only about 1% of the total population is of the Christian faith. In spite of the low percentage of Japanese Christians, many people have Christian weddings in Japan now.Finally, comparing Japanese culture to American culture is a very daunting task. Japan is a country which is thousands of years older than the United States. Although one might think the Japanese seem to be nothing like Americans, they are ...
