Just wondering . . .

SOME churches, not all.

 

Historically they are not. Presently I think they are.

 

I found an interesting website explaining the history and differences of Buddhism and Shinto. Here's the link: http://www.askasia.org/frclasrm/readings/r000009.htm

According to that site, Shinto is an indigenous Japanese religion which assigned supernatural identities to various aspects of nature. The interpretations varied widely, as there was never a unifying doctrine behind it. The core of the religion's philosophy is paying respect to nature, including the human nature.

Buddhism, however, is very different in that it is focused on the ethereal (i.e. enlightenment, nirvana, etc.) rather than the material. Its origins are found in India, not China, and had already been around 1,000 years before Shinto was born.

Again, all that was taken from the link I posted.

But if you were a Shintoist for 10 years, maybe the version you subscribed to was a more modern permutation of Shinto, or perhaps even a hybrid between Buddhism and traditional Shinto.

I'd be interested in your take on the material of that web site.

 

I think there's an inherent danger in large religious organizations. It's just too easy to give into temptations of power and influence on such a grand scale. They have the ability to do some truly great works, though, and that remains their saving grace, IMO.

 

Not a tremendously bad article. Most of the material is sound, but not all of it. There are conclusions, inferences and gut feelings sprinkled throughout the article that the writer is lumping in with Biblical doctrine. That's how a lot of the problems in religions start.

 

Don't be! Interesting conversation & learning new stuff was my goal--& all this qualifies.

 

I think people are under the misconception that Christanity keeps you from being free to do what you want to do. When in fact it actually gives you freedom. E.G. I don't have to worry about getting sexually transmitted diseases (and don't say I don't KNOW what my spouse is doing because he is also committed to our marriage and to Christ). I also like the fact that I can dump my problems on someone else, and have found out that He will take care of them. It's extremely freeing!