Introduction to World Religion & Belief System

Question

1. If you were converted as Shinto, what good reason will you have to justify your conversion?

2. Will you consider Shinto as world or local religion? Why or why not?

Answer 1

If you wanted to be a Sumo wrestler, it's limited to Shintos, so you'd have to convert to practice your athletic choice or calling. There's probably a similar motivation to enter other Japanese occupations. In New York City, you have to be Jewish, at least outwardly, to be in the diamond industry. That's similar to Japanese feeling the need to be Shinto to enter a business or occupation, or be accepted socially.

Shinto is farily limited to Japan, as it views their main Deity as the Japanese Sun Goddess with the Emperors as Her divine descendants. But many countries have similar religions associated with their majority ethnic group. Hinduism is primarily in India. Thailand is Buddhist. 50+ countries are primarily or exclusively Muslim. South America, Italy, Spain, Ireland are heavily Roman Catholic. Greece is Greek Orthodox. Scandinavia is mostly Lutheran. England has the Church of England. Israel is Jewish. Utah is Mormon. Alabama is Baptist. Hawaii once had an indigenous relgion, with its Queen as the religion's leader, until she renounced it.

If you were brought up Japanese or in Japan, it's likely you'd become Shinto, and convert. If you strayed from your upbringing you'd likely return at some point.