Is the Pink Phallus Festival in Japan taken as a serious holy event by Shintoists?
344486
According to a site I found its also known as Kanamara Marsuri Festival and they take it quite serious.  A festival to celebrate fertility.  http://www.2camels.com/destination92.php3\nFrom what I am understanding here it involves Shinto statues and temples and for the most part it is important to even devout Shinto Families and Shinto Priests.\nhttp://www.answers.com/pink%20phallus%20festival?ff=1
66528
Here in the USA, we have based our sociatal rights and wrongs on a christianic/judiac system of morals. In that, anything of a sexual nature is wrong, whereas things of violence can pertain to you following the precepts of your faith. whether its being ready to die for your beliefs or more likely, to kill for them. In the eastern/asian systems, violence is wrong, and things of a sexual nature are much more highly tolerated. Take japan, you can very easily have nudity in a pg, but much of any violence raises it to an R. its also historicaly bases as well. As americans we have not had any personal access to real violence. whereas in japan they literaly had war on their mainland within the last generation. memories of things like that can last.
777497
LOL sorry I wasn't aware of that relic. Has it been scientifically studied? Or is it off limits to everyone like the ark in ethiopia?\nHell, we could do that, then implant it in a virgin and bingo, homemade holyman. I guess scientists work in mysterious ways too. LOL
1100711
According to Norris and Inglehart (2004), 65% of those in Japan do not believe in God, 64% of those in Sweden do not believe in God, 61% of those in the Czech republic do not believe in God.\n\nIf christians/muslims were right, why ain't Japan a total chaos? Why does Sweden have high life standards? In latin america, over 90% of the population believes in the christian god, why the violence? Why a lot of people in prison (most catholic / christians)? In Iran, Afghanistan, Nigeria, they believe in god, why the violence?\n\nIt seems morality has nothing to do with religion / god. The bible has some morals teachings, I still think Aesop fables are better, and nobody has killed in the name of Aesop (not that I am aware of).\n\nTrue morality is doing what has to be done, doing the right thing, even when men and gods aren't watching.
945225
Actually, I think that a lot of the gay community that appear to be atracted to either the Asian or Paganistic lifesstyles are not doing it so much for the sex, but for the acceptance of who they are.  THere is a higher number of transgender individuals in Asia than anywhere else in the world.  Why?  Because they are more accepting.  Buddhism, Taoism and even Hinduism do not exclude people based on their orientation like so many CHristian faiths do.  Personally, I enjoy that asian culture and like to have asian themed stuff around the house, but with me, it is more out of respect and personal enjoyment of the culture than an atraction to their males.  I have a husband of my own, and that is more than enough to keep me occupied.  I also did martial arts for may years, which may be part of why the culture appeals to me.
599136
Did you notice that "Typhoon Harbor" coincides with the largest population of Buddhist.\n\n-or\n\nDid you notice that "Earthquake Valley" coincides with the largest population of Muslims.\n\n-or\n\nDid you notice that "Volcano Mountains" coincide with the largest population of Naturist.\n\n...use a different analogy.
292009
The Doll's Festival, Momo-no-Sekku (Hinamatsuri), takes place on March 3. Hinamatsuri (hina means dolls and matsuri means festival) is a time to pray for the health and well being of young girls. Most homes with young girls will set up a display of hinaningyo (hina dolls). The dolls were originally made from straw and grass but have since become mass produced. Around the display dedications of peach blossoms, cube rice cakes, special colored and diamond shaped rice cakes and white sake are made. This ceremony is similar to a Chinese ceremony in which the sins of the body are transferred to a doll that is then set adrift on a river. The celebration of this festival in Japan is traceable to the Edo Period (1603-1867).
505974
HA HA HA sending someone to a Mormon group is laughable! Why not just send them to Buddhist or Shinto?? have a look below for Osaka!
830691
No, it was one of many pagan festivals introduced into the perversion of Christianity that was the catholic church. The best guess is that Christ was born around Purim, a festival of the Jews. This ties in with the enrollment/taxation Luke describes.
133409
Yes, one held here locally called J-fest and then to Faith and Family night at another Local festival called Riverbend.  J-fest was hot, hot, hot.  Weatherwise.  I was miserable and the sound system was horrible.  Seemed like no one was listening to the music.  I waI really disappointed.\n\nNow Riverbend with Carmen, Rebecca St. James and  Kirk Franklin was absolutely awesome.  80,000+ Christians standing under the night sky with hands raised singing praises to God.  \n\nI echo your words---COOL!!!!
884507
Not at all! I back them up actually. If God wanted to promote homosexuality, then he would allow man-man woman-woman realationships, but he doesn't. He actually destroyed 2 cities (Sodom and Gomorrah) with a rain of fire because they were practising homosexuality.
557015
yes its  abnormal ...it is prohibited in all religions.\nfurther it makes no sence to dig a male when u have females around.
880404
One Kingdom Hall was burned in Finland in 11th of October and same guy burned Lutheran Church 15th of October. He hasn't said any reason for those actions and not confessed that he did those things. \nHe has been visiting both places last summer and he tried to participate youth work in that Lutheran church. He was refused because they thought he was not suitable for youth work.
405693
yes, all of them perverts, homosexuals, child molesters, male prostitues,  I am happy to include all of them in that verse.\n\nAnd yes, of course homoseuxality is an unnatural act. That is so obvious, you have to laught that anyone would even try to defend it.
843608
NO.\n\nIt is NOT legal.\n\nBut it still seems to thrive - not just in Japan, but all over the world!
342226
i think it happens in North Korea (the one that still run by a dictator).\nNot the South one...\nI have a lot of south korean christian friends.\n\nand to hana hoshi..\nbelieve me, you gave the world too much credits.\nit hasn't matured yet. and persecution still happened.\ncheck out "the voice of martyrs" googgle it.\n\nyou probably are just lucky enough to be living in the country where they understand the religious freedom.\n\nbut to others who's living in third world countries..not as lucky as you..\n\ncheck "uganda" where they kidnapped little children to be made into a soldier for a crazy fanatic cult leader.\nand if the kids refuse, they just cut down their lips, tongue, hands, and legs. and left them on the streets to be picked by vultures.
167477
Okay, it's been a coupleof years since I lived in Japan, so forgive me if I am fuzzy on details.\n\nShoes:   take them off when entering a person's home.  Most Japanese homes have a foyer of sorts where you can safely remove them and place them neatly, as well as slippers(usually far too small for gai-jin feet, but still) for you to wear while a guest in the home.  TECHNICALLY speaking, the home itself doesn't begin until you pass that 'foyer'(real name escapes me) so it's perfectly normal to have somebody just walk in side before announcing their presence.  In Tokyo, ANYTHING goes as far as style of clothing.  On Sundays at one of the big train stations is Gothic fashion show.. an informal gathering of every extreme fashion out there.  \n\nGenerally speaking, Temples and Shrines are considered holy places, so dress like you would your local church or synagogue.  Most tourists are not allowed inside the temple, per se, so if you happen to be walking around in shorts, it's okay.  Just don't expect to be allowed inside to take pictures.  \n\nkneeling and sitting on the floor is normal in homes and restaurants, so you won't want to wear anything super constricting or revealing like skirts slit up to your navel.  Japan is a huge melting pot and as such, is tolerant of nearly all other cultures, so long as you aren't obnoxious about it.