1-what is shintoism

Shintoism is a purely Japanese religion, the origins of which are buried in the hazy mists of
ancient Japanese history. It is one of the worlds oldest religions. The Japanese people have a
fierce love for their land and believe that the Japanese islands were the very first divine creation.
In fact, Shintoism teaches that no other land is divine, making Japan unique in the world. Not
surprisingly, Shintoism is not popular outside of Japan.
2-the two fundementals
The two fundamental Shinto doctrines are that Japan is the country of the gods and her people
are the descendants of gods. This concept of the divine descent of the Japanese people, as well
as the divine origin of the land, has given rise to a conviction of superiority over other countries
and peoples. With the exception of a few designated sects of Shinto, the religion has no founder,
no sacred writings, and no authoritative set of beliefs. Worship takes place at one of the
numerous shrines in the country of Japan, although many Japanese have altars in their home to
one or more of the large number of deities.
3-origin
The word Shinto comes from the Chinese word Shen-tao, which means the way of the gods. A
major feature of Shinto is the notion of kami, the concept of sacred power in both animate and
inanimate objects. There is in Shinto a powerful sense of the presence of gods and spirits in
nature. The gods of Shinto are too numerous to be grouped into a hierarchy, but the sun goddess
Amaterasu is highly revered, and her grand imperial temple is located 200 miles southwest of
Tokyo. Shinto teaches that the Japanese people are themselves descended from the kami.
4-shintoism vs. the bible
The religion of Shinto is entirely incompatible with biblical Christianity.
First, the idea that the Japanese people and their land are favored above all others contradicts
the Bibles teaching that the Jews are the chosen people of God: For you are a people holy to
the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of
the earth to be his people, his treasured possession (Deuteronomy 7:6). However, though the
Jews are Gods chosen people, they have never been designated as better than any other
people, and the Bible does not teach that they were directly descended from gods.
Second, the Bible is clear that there are not many gods, but one God: I am the LORD, and there
is no other; apart from me there is no God (Isaiah 45:5). The Bible also teaches that God is not
an impersonal force but a loving and caring Father to those who fear Him (2 Corinthians 6:17
18). He alone created the universe, and He alone reigns sovereignly over it. The idea of gods
that inhabit rocks, trees, and animals combines two different falsehoods: polytheism (the belief in
many gods) and animism (the belief that gods are present in objects). These are lies from the
father of lies, Satan, who walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter
5:8).
Third, Shintoism fosters pride and feelings of superiority in the Japanese people; such elitism is
condemned in Scripture. God hates pride because it is the very thing that keeps people from
seeking Him with their whole hearts (Psalm 10:4). In addition, the teachings of the basic
goodness and divine origin of the Japanese people preclude their need for a Savior. This is the
natural consequence of assuming ones race is of divine origin.
The Bible states unequivocally that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God
(Romans 3:23), that we all need a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, and that there is no other name
under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

Shinto teaches that the kami might commune with those who have made themselves worthy
through ritual purification, but the God of the Bible promises to be present to anyone who calls
upon Him for forgiveness. No amount of personal purification (a form of salvation by works) will
make a person worthy of the presence of God. Only faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the
cross can accomplish cleansing from sin and make us acceptable to a holy God. For He made
Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2
Corinthians 5:21).