[/floatl]RCP: In Japan, Religion Makes A Comeback
With an assist from the Internet, the ancient religion of Japan, Shinto, is experiencing a mild upturn in fervor among the Japanese. "We see more people coming here," said a priest at the Meiji Shrine in the middle of Tokyo. "We see more weddings, more people bringing their babies for blessings, more requests for prayers to be rid of a curse or to prosper in business, more people taking part in festivals such as shichi-go-san," in which children of age seven or five or three are feted...No Japanese could point to a neat explanation for the increased interest in Shinto, which means "The Way of the Gods," but several offered reasons that, taken together, appeared to add up:
- It reflects a renewed sense of identity, a revival of national pride and appreciation for tradition after much turbulence since the end of World War II...
- Web sites on the Internet for Meiji and other prominent shrines appealed to people to visit this "spiritual home"...Viewers were asked to ponder: "What is a beautiful Japanese heart?"
- A Worshippers Association of 230,000 members throughout the country arranges programs to promote tradition, improve family relationships, guide young people, and urge people to fly the national flag on holidays...more...
This article is a hair's breadth from the "newbie reporter" forum.
