[odonata]

From what I understand you are either Shinto or not. A shrine is only a focal point for the display of Shinto so that you can share your profound understanding with other like minded people.
Otherwise you can find your understanding of the Shinto way by observing and participating in nature in its many shapes and forms.

Let me state that Shito is not a religon as such, but a direction that you choose too take in life. This direction will lead you to understand the mechanics of life and so should be considered as a science. The science of balance in life could be described as buddhism but is more profound in Shinto.

The many questions that a human will ask are addressed in the Shinto doctrine, although to call it a doctorine is false, most if not all human issues have a common sense explanation, but it will be encrypted in a fable of some sort contained within the realm of Shinto.

M. Desu ka!