I have been living in Japan for about 5 years now and observing the culture, customs and interpersonal skills,relationships/conflicts between peers.\nI have often wondered about the society, the lack of religion(The guidance of Christianity???)and it's impact.\nAlso peer judgement in decision making.
137222
Yes and no.  Yes in that you can take basic psychological ideas(fight or flight, survival instincts, mother/child ideas, primitive responses, fear, anger, love etc...) that apply to humanity and then place them upon a culture superficially to analyze but you have to be careful of context. But you cannot place specific ideas of behavior, religion, rituals, tradition etc., upon different cultures because not only is that imperialism(and assumes your culture is the definition of what culture or normal/acceptable behaviors are) and just plain rude and out of line but inappropriately imposing.  Because each culture is so drastically different with different traditions and rituals that it wouldn't make sense to impose one philosophy upon another: ie...Christianity upon native peoples around the world, Euro-centric upon natives or Africans etc...It is inappropriate and arrogant to assume one idea makes sense for all people.  It's an ideal unrealisitic notion. \nAlso you have to consider economic and cultural systems in place that affect the way people relate as a whole society.  Japan from what I've learned is a group mentality society versus America is an individual mentality society.  They tend to think of the group and the affects upon the group first, and we tend to think effects upon the individual first.  Both have pros and cons.  \nAnd Japan does have a religious or rather spiritual foundation, Buddhism.  It's a brilliant and gentle philosophy that permeates much of their culture subtly but unlike religious dogma, is not obvious and in your face, reminding people of it's existence on a daily basis; There is no guilt by religion.  Because that contradicts the very nature of Buddhism, unlike other religions. Yet I know that shame is a much used idea to encourage modesty and humility amongst Japanese people.   \nSome cultures base their manners, traditions and overall culture upon ideas and history and not just religion or desires for conquest or expansion like many western cultures have.
587390
As a teenager I met and dated only girls I met in church.  They at least had an inkling of how fundamental Christianity shaped a young persons thoughts.  I dated to have good times away from my parents, to grow in ways they couldn't help me.  There was one girl who I wanted to marry after graduation from school, but my parents sent me to a college a thousand miles away and we lost touch. She died of a drug overdose a few years later, while i was in the service.  I never found another soulmate, but I did find sexual mates.
35233
The Japanese became isolationist because the Tokugawa shogunate wanted to consolodate thier power, and the overzealous christians were cutting into their power base. So they booted the christians out, and persecuted the Japanese christians who were left. They did allow the dutch to trade, however, because they were not interested in pushing thier religion. Also, the Japanese knew how the Europeans were colonizing China, and wanted no part of that either.\n\nConsidering what happened to the philipines and pretty much every other non-Western country that became christian (colonized and abused), the Japanese probably made the right decision.
87580
I am not much one for the bible aspect, but Yea I wish we could curb pollution right now, but have you been to any other country besides USA, or where ever you're from? I don't know who writes these "stats" about who pollutes the most, but someone should come here to Japan and check these fools out.
603681
Are you joking?\n\nDon't generalize.\n\nTake a look at Japan and South Korea.
540447
You could try typing 'religious etiquette' into a search engine. Or 'religious observations.' Travel guide books could be a good source too: the example you gave might, perhaps, be elaborated on in a guide book to Thailand. Lots of these guides are available online.
39938
I'm going to venture a wild idea, that I hope people forgive me on, it is just an idea. I think we should either imitate what they do in Japan, Germany, or France.\n In every TIMSS study, Japan is constantly and consistently at the top. In everything, from math(the best tested nation in math in all of the developed world),science( I think they're number 2) and in reading( there in the top ten(I'm not sure about rank). We score 32, 33 in terms of ranks in all major areas.Japanese students are taught from the time they start school to be self-sufficient, and to be competitive. They study, study, and study some more. In order to move on to the next level like middle school and high school, they have to take a national exam! Students definitely want to do well!  Granted, they are the most stressed children in the world, but you can't argue with results. They have a 90% national graduation rate from high school. We have a 67% high school graduation rate. American students need to be taught that in life sometimes you have to be competitive to be the best, and that there is nothing wrong with doing well in school. Our culture of nerds and jocks, where the jocks are popular is not setting the right culture for us to be competitive in the long run.\n Also in Japan everyone wants to be the best so that they could attend the best universities. True,in the US we have the same culture(i.e. for Ivies), but it is so much more pronounced in Japan. \n   In short, Japan, Germany, and France have rigor that is lacking in some parts of our school system.\n "No Child Left Behind" is a step in the right direction, but we have a long way to go, to truly have a K-12 school system that is the best in the world. We are THE BEST in research and grad school.
514145
I was born and raised Christian. After studying the Bahai Faith while in high  school, I became a Bahai.  Because Baha' u'llah often quotes from the Quran, I studied Islam. My fascination with religion led me to take two college courses on world religions, so I have studied some forms of paganism, Hinduism, Sikhism,  Judaism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism and Taoism.   My participation in forums such as this one -- and the violent attacks on Islam - have  led to more study of the Quran. And when the Jehovah's Witnesses dropped by, I studied  with them for awhile until they give up on me and stopped dropping by.  Since I have lived in Ohio, I became interested in the Amish religion and studied that for awhile. Online discussions and the behavior of some of its followers drove me to read up on Scientology. Basically, I find the variety of beliefs fascinating and love reading about them. I find that understanding religion makes it easier to understand people. More understanding, IMHO, would lead to fewer wars.
317109
If you are asking for historys sake, Ronin is right about the mostly Protestant, and Anglican thing. (In England.) If you are asking for now a days... don't worry so much about what church is right, and focus on getting your heart right. Your local pastor isn't going to be your judge, God is. Line up with His rules. Get a relationship with Him. Notice I said relationship, not religion?
146200
Err, being as it IS a Shinto festival, why would devout families disapprove of it? All religions are not uptight and disapproving of stuff like Christianity is. The festival is a normal thing. Shinto priests are the ones organizing it.\nIf any priests disapprove of anything, I`m sure it`s the huge number of non-Japanese that flood the place JUST for the festival - and snigger at everything penis shaped.\nIt`s a fertility festival. Get over it people.
647582
From the perspective of an outsider, this is my brief experience with coming across Mormon faith: They are good people; a lot of them give their lives for their faith. I respect this very much. But...I used to live in Taipei for a long period of time, during this time, I came across many Mormon youth who had come to Asia to preach their faith.\nOne incident that struck me negatively was a certain day when I witnessed a group of 2 Mormon youths (early 20's) approaching a Taiwanese man on the subway (also known as the MRT). This man was quietly reading his newspaper when they interrupted him (this is not acceptable etiquette-wise in Taiwan and was obviously embarrassing to this middle-aged man in the crowded compartment) to speak about their faith. I looked on, in awe at the profoundness of their go-get-it approach. A few minutes later, they noticed me (a white female foreigner) and obviously wanted to talk to me too. When Sister Something and the other Sister something approached I felt quite uncomfortable and felt like a was being interrogated. I then asked them how their evangelization was going. They then explained how each team was assigned a certain line of the subway system to meet potential followers. I was surprised at this, because according to the local laws, no political party or any other organization has the power to use the subway system for purposes other than traveling. What they were pursuing was clearing outside regulations. Not only this, but the method they used to interact with locals was not exactly what I call "localzied". Anway, I still believe that Mormons are good-hearted people. The only thing I would encourage them to do is "strive for communion with other Christians".
85254
Dear Ari,\n\nIs it possible you may be viewing marriage through long-standing traditional family or cultural ways?  If you are determined to go out and find a girl just to be married because you were brought up this way, I'm sure there are many girls in Japan who need a husband for the same reason.\n\nNow, if you want to be married for other reasons which might be for your benefit only, you need to reconsider your thoughts on what marriage is about.\n\nIf you are just feeling lonely and need to have a partner or best friend in your life, a woman to share your life with, just be patient like all of us.  In time, she will find you.\n\nMany people, especially in the US, overlook what a committment of marriage really means.  It is two people joining together, agreeing to accept each other forever, and share their lives together-forever-with respect-with love.\n\nWill you Love this girl you would like to find and marry?
566689
If you saw how long I spend on some of my answers you might think I must come from a different country according to your statement. (Or maybe you'd just think I was a bit slow witted? Ha ha!) But guess what, I'm a US citizen.\n\nOne of my humbling moments as a US citizen came when I was living in Japan. I was at a business meeting with Japanese, Australians, English, and a couple of US citizens. One of the Australians started doing an impression of US citizens. She started talking loudly, smiling broadly (showing a lot of teeth), and gesturing. I thought it was funny. The citizens from other countries thought it was even funnier. I might imagine the whole world enjoying such a joke on US citizens, but that would be another stereotype--on the other citizens of the world.\n\nI think people will see what they want to see--especially if they are looking for it. For instance, "Is it true that Americans answer immediately, without giving it much to think about?" \n\nIt's easier for people to think in stereotypes. People think like that to make sense of their world. I'm not saying it's a terrible thing. However, they may be missing interaction with people they might actually enjoy spending time with. Such separation doesn't bring the world closer to peace. It's also rather lonely and boring don't you think?
256508
there are really selfish people in the world today. I do believe in taking care of the ones around you before anyone else. Reality check do people keep updated on disaters and over seas missions? if so are they true. It's just the waty the world is today. More people need to turn their eyes back on their creator Lord God Almighty. What if people had to live back in those days,they wouldn't make it.
40091
Its a matter of culture on the first place.  Its everywhere- the environment and all the factors combined.  Its the society and how the society thinks. the mindsets of people, the influences, the method of upbringing a child, family social status (both parents have to work), etc.  I think the media is a factor but not as much as the social culture.  Religion- you have a point for the social behavior of americans requires them to work and work - and in many cases time for those things that truly matter are neglected to earn money.  I think understanding and controlling these things must begin at home for the foundation of one's personality (as I believe) begins in the basic unit of the society - the family and how they incorporate God in their lives.
673727
A very good thing is that it grounds a society with some moral value system - this a central theme of most religions.\nUnfortunately that very grounding when taken too literally can drive extreme behavior and rather than create an inclusive cohesive world, it's differences can create rifts in our willingness to accept each other for who we are rather than what we believe.
638707
Well, it's not a bad idea, but do you really only want to elicit responses from people who think and believe exactly as you do?  I know the ignorant answers are annoying, but I actually enjoy reading different points of view from other cultures.  I like to learn from them.  Even when they are being vehement and fanatical I find that I can learn something about their culture and beliefs.  And what category would you put someone like me, who identifies with no specific religion.  I just follow my own spiritual path, made up of beliefs from several religions, new age spirituality and my own gut.