Japanese culture

[anime4christ]

I think most of you could tell by my display name that I'm attracted to some things Japanese. I like anime style of drawing (and Japanese art in general), though a lot of actual anime cartoons are a little too mystic for my taste. I also like Japanese food, some ancient-style Japanese music, and various other things.

The thing that bothers me though is that Japanese culture is very deeply tied to Shinto, it's almost inseperable. And many of the things that I like in Japansese culture either have something from Shinto in them or came from Shinto even though they're not strictly tied to Shinto anymore.

Is it possible to like things Japanese but separate them from Shinto at the same time? Is it right to feel bothered by the influence of Shinto in almost all their otherwise beautiful art? Also, sometimes I wonder why I like Japanese culture as I do anyways. It's kinda weird. :dunno: :smile

[dwayner79]

My .02

Christians (starting with Christ, followed by the apostles, and throughout History) have always been inside of the wordly culture they lived in while "being" above that culture. They use elements of their culture in their worship, in their work, and in their family life. They would reject the outright demonic practices, and avoid, for confusion sake, things with explicitly sinful ties, but they still lived relevant to their culture. Now I say they lived above their culture because they looked at the culture around them as a means to an end - that end of reaching people for Christ. They did not let culture form their message, but they did use culture in their message. Do you see the difference?

I think your drawings are a perfect example of that assuming your heart is in the right place (which I think it is, but I can't judge your heart ;-) ). If you enjoy Japanese culture, then use that to influence people for Christ. If there are elements of their culture that are explicitly sinful (akin to meat offered to idols) then avoid them, but don't remove yourself completely from the culture. We should not be striving for a total sub-culture Christianity... that will never work.

[anime4christ]

Thanks. That makes sense to me.

Edit: Speaking of drawings, I added some more to my thread in hobbies.

[John81]

Dwayne gave a very good answer. :thumb

We know that false gods are really no gods at all and are thus meaningless unless someone is worshiping them or causing another to think they are real or causing someone to stumble in this area.

I like a lot of Viking things and a great deal of that is connected to their heathen religion.

Most martial arts, especially of the Oriental variety, have deep connections to false religions yet they can be separated from that.

Japanese culture is interesting. Like you, when I have been studying and admiring various cultures, whether the Japanese or Vikings or whatever, I find it sad and sometimes disturbing just how much false religion is in the mix. I find this especially so with regards to modern day peoples who are still often greatly affected by the false religions within their culture.

[anime4christ]

Thanks John. On this one point though:

Most martial arts' date=' especially of the Oriental variety, have deep connections to false religions yet they can be separated from that.[/quote']

I'm not sure exactly where to separate it. Those martial arts include a lot of breathing exercises which help build your stamina and focus which help in combat, but they are taken from Yoga or Kia or whatever. So, to separate it there, would you just omit the breathing exercises all together or is there a "safe" subset?

[kevinmiller]

I know what you mean. My Korean friends have told me a couple times how much "witchcraft" and superstition is in Japan. Perhaps your interest is God's leading you to minister to that culture. :smile

[John81]

Thanks John. On this one point though:



It's the physical aspect of the excercise that's important. The other aspect is a matter of focus and concentration. For a Christian, one certainly wouldn't focus upon the concept of a false god or some mysterious "life force". I've read of how some Christians have dealt with this aspect but I don't recall for certain what they said. I *think* their main focus when doing the excercises was simply upon the energy they were developing or putting into play; no mystic concepts, similar to how runners focus on having the energy to get through the pain and reach their "second wind".

[anime4christ]

Thanks Kevin and John for your thoughts.

Perhaps your interest is God's leading you to minister to that culture. :smile

Perhaps. That would be cool. I started learning the language at one point (the very basics pretty much), but stopped for lack of time. I wouldn't mind learning it again if God would want to use me there. =)

[dwayner79]

Breathe away bud ;-) There is nothing un-Godly about breathing exercises. There is nothing wrong with meditation, learning to control your mind, etc. All of those things are very Christian principles Just watch out for the self-actualization stuff.

Finally, I love the idea of ministering where you love it! Often I heard people growing up talk about the huge sacrifice they made to leave the land they love to go minister. Frankly, I think God wants us using our passions for him, so if you love something, then go for it.

Good discussion!

[kevinmiller]

Breathe away bud ;-) There is nothing un-Godly about breathing exercises. There is nothing wrong with meditation, learning to control your mind, etc. All of those things are very Christian principles Just watch out for the self-actualization stuff.

Finally, I love the idea of ministering where you love it! Often I heard people growing up talk about the huge sacrifice they made to leave the land they love to go minister. Frankly, I think God wants us using our passions for him, so if you love something, then go for it.

Good discussion!

I agree. I think God gives people a love for the places where He has called them.

[anime4christ]

Thanks. We'll have to see. For now, it's just accross the Pacific Ocean. :lol

[deafnva77]

Now that you mentioned, "sometimes I wonder why I like Japanese culture as I do anyways" While I have nothing again the culture but I have a thoughts on this. I seriously think Asian things in America is a fad (or fashionable) right now.


One black person once wondered why is it nobody is interested in African Culture. He sees all these Asian style things selling well in the white neighborhood but no one ever take interests in African culture. I agree with him. Whatever the Media say what's popular, well that is what going to be popular I even been to expensive condos and homes in FL and even they have furnished their homes with Asian style (including my FIL, he has a buddist statue, but he say he doesn't really like the asian style at all, but leaving it there so he can sell it when he leave) .

[deafnva77]

BTW, I am not trying to tell you to give up your taste but want you to be aware how the society influence our taste. Clothes, furnitures, etc.

I mean look at people taste in cartoon throughout the years. Right now anime style cartoon is popular.

(I like japanese culture myself too, but I like American country better)

[anime4christ]

Well, I've had this Asian "obsession" for 10 years now (+/- a few years), so I don't think it's the media's effects on me. I've liked Asian things before I knew it was popular (and it was less popular than it is now). First I liked Chinese stuff, then Japanese, now a mix of both, but mostly Japanese. In fact, I'm making sushi for the Sunday school teacher party we're going to have next Wednesday. ^___^

[deafnva77]

yeah, the asian obsession have been around for along time. Those houses I mentioned was built more than 10 years ago, and it is still popular. But I can see why people like it. The style seem clean and simple.

Pokemon was popular 10 years ago when I was working as a cashier and 7-11 kept selling them all the time. From what understand, it is anime. When I was little girl, I always wanted to buy "Hello Kitty". they had a little store that sell only "Hello Kitty" things.

The Asian style may be dying out since Obama is in the office and more people probably will take interests in Kenya culture (where his father came from). but then again, it may not because the simple, clean look to it.

people do have interests just for no reason. Just happened to like it. and sometimes it is the society around them that they are constantly exposed to. LIke me, I am surrounded by country style, and now that's what I like. but there is a style I like that the society around me don't really like. The victorian, pink roses, Kinkade painting style.