Ex-muslim Here to answer any questions you might have

[yuiyoshida]

53. I totally understand...

A few years ago, I was going to school at the University of California at Berkeley. I was taking Asian studies when in my reading came upon a curious thing. It seemed that at one time when Buddhism came to Japan, there were some great major difficulties, because Shinto was already established and born in Japan. Eventually some wise monk, thought it would be best if the two Religions merged, so it turned out that Buddhism would have to do with what happens after death, while Shinto took on what happens in Birth and Life... this made both factions happy, because both of their Religions were now acceptable.

Then the West showed up and with it the Christian Religion. At first the Portuguese monks only seemed to have an interest in trade, with Japan, but soon the Missionaries came, which was intolerable for the SHOGUN, who ran Japan at the time. The Shogun eventually became fed up with this new religion, because though it, he seemed to be losing power, and people were starting to think that they would not obey the Shogun, so the Shogun decided, that's it, were closing Japan off to the WEST and all Christians were to leave Japan or die.

Well, needless to say many were killed, some crucified like their own Christ, and others beheaded by the Samurai who were loyal to the shogun. Those who were left, had to hide, and Christianity went underground...but because Japan is influenced by superstition, no one wanted to convert to this new religion. Its why there are less than .1% Christians living in Japan today, the majority of the population is Buddhist-Shinto. The rest are simply Atheists.

Its also the reason there are far less Muslims in Japan, as Japan has made the religion unwelcomed. (referring to this: http://www.democraticunderground.com/12502927)

The text books that I read went into great detail telling what was done to Christians back then who were discovered after the Shogun's ruling. When I was living in Utah for a while, I would often overhear missionaries being frustrated about going to Japan. Many of them hated to go because they simply could not convert anyone. Many Japanese walked away from anyone who was trying to convert them to this Religion.

And yet, Japan still has Meri Kurisumasu. Why? Its not celebrated as a Religious holiday in Japan, but as a Romantic holiday, like Valentines day here in the states. Yes there are lots of evergreens lit up with lights, and presents under the tree. There are Christmas songs but most of those are the Non Religious kind. Christmas in Japan is a holiday for lovers; people will buy a nice white vanilla icing cake with strawberries and give it to their loved ones. But you won't see anyone celebrating Christmas in the ways we do here in the west, by those going to High Mass at midnight, or filling churches. Again, superstitious Japanese will not go against their natural grain. People work on Christmas, in Japan. The major holiday comes later at New Years. That is a huge holiday in Japan.

The world is filled with so many wonderful mysteries.