[Sangetsu]

Originally Posted by MMM

First of all, I would say you are not breaking the rules with this post. However, if the discussion gets too far into one religion vs. another or why one is better, then editing may happen.

Also, from my understanding 宗教 means "religion". When you start breaking kanji pairs apart you are asking for trouble. Even if the individual characters mean something different, 宗教 means religion in pretty much the same context as it does in the West. 東京 means "East Capital" (Tokyo) but when people talk about Tokyo in Japan they are not reminded of the fact that it is the capital in the East.

I don't think Japanese people have a hard time understanding what "religion" means. I think what you are seeing is that in Japan, religion is not the underlying reason for most decision making. There is no battle between religion and secularism because religion doesn't play a competing role against secularism in Japan.

I would say on the contrary many of the traditions followed in Japan are very much based on religious traditions. However, that does not make the average Japanese "religious" as much as "traditional".

Many Japanese visit their local shrines at New Year's as a once-yearly tradition. They donate money and purchase charms...by Western standards this is hardly following a faith...you should go weekly to be involved...but that daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly dedication is arbitrary.

Great post,