To … what now?
Christianity in Japan
Owen Jackson
Kevin Ward
The Shoguns were of course trained as Samurai, following the way of Bushido. Such a traditionally pagan people would have right away figured out that Christianity, if taken seriously, spelled the end of their traditional claim to power. The Samurai made European traders trample on the cross before letting them stay in predefined precincts where they didn't have any interaction with the local people.
In fact, now that Christianity has been unleashed on the Far East, there's literally been no stopping its spread, much to the dismay of authorities within the People's Republic of China (for instance). Buddhism is, arguably in a multi-generational decline, whereas Shintoism is not a religion in the real sense, but rather cultivation of tradition (so just like western pagan LARPers).
Anyway Japan has always managed to suppress this development through racism towards Gaijin, but Japan isn't so impenetrable. Already, Japanese youth are fascinated with Catholicism as a foreign curiosity, while Buddhist and Shinto clergy become ever more influenced by Christian morals, in order to "keep up" with the modern world. For instance Buddhists traditionally hate charity and withdraw from the world, while laypeople burn incense to many Gods. The Buddhism you see on TV is literally just Buddhists trying to look modern, Christian and relevant.
Pic related is probably more like what Japanese youth think when you say "Christian" it is a foreign curiosity, but growing in influence.
Josiah Perez
Native Americans are allowed to celebrate the mass outdoors in traditional Indian dress. Who knows why similar accommodations weren't made for Celts.
Camden Reyes
I am well aware, presumed CathFriend. It was banter.
Zachary Bailey
I'm Ortho and yes, I understood it
Jason Edwards
Buddhism is also experiencing a 'reformation' I think. I have heard of another budding sect of Buddhism that is very similar to Protestantism: Following the Tripiṭaka (Buddhist Bible) to the letter and that is the only thing to follow, check; Lighter rituals and rites, check; Gaining popularity with the mass because it is easy mode Buddhism, check.
On the other note. Catholic and Orthodox have churches and parishes in Japan, Protestants on the other hand. I am not exactly sure but I believe they do 'rent' halls and meeting rooms for their communions from what I have seen. Someone posted a youtube vid about Christianity in Japan not too long ago, the interviewee said that they do that but I am not sure which denomination are they but I am sure that Cathodox have their churches and parishes so they might have been Protestants.
Ian Reyes
Protestantism is the largest denomination today in Japan
Also protestants mostly dont need buildings, so its usual
Justin Phillips
Also let’s not forget about this man, who helped revive the Christian faith at the time.
en.m.wikipedia.org
Christian Williams
...
Ryan Mitchell
Everyone who isn't baptized (either the right way, or by desire) is possessed by the devil, user. Maybe not in the flailing linda blair sort of way, but most certainly they are possessed.
Hideyoshi began passing anti-catholic laws before the dutch arrived in japan.
Honestly, the big thing that led to anti-catholicism in japan is that the japanese were in a major power struggle when catholicism began to bloom in their country, and the leadership learned from portuguese jesuits that spaniards (who arrived after the jesuits) tend to conquer after conversion. It didn't help that many of the christian daimyo were opposed to ieyasu when he finally took power…
basically, it all boils down to power politics.
I would say so. If meiji hadn't forced his back-asswards island to adopt western ways, they would have become a colony under western ways anyway.
by not losing the russo-japanese war? I dunno. The orthodox seem incapable of expansion or proselytizing.