Visiting temples and shrines as tourism

[ilovesendai7]

I have been to Japan twice and am going back again in a month.

Japan is well known for its beautiful temples and shrines, and I have visited quite a few of them, including the huge Buddha in Nara.

My question is, what do others think about visiting places of non-Christian religious significance for purely aesthetic purposes?

 

[SnowyMacie]

I don't have any issue with it. I would personally love to see The Patheon in Rome, Parthenon in Athens, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, even the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, and the Masjid al-Ḥaram in Mecca purely because of their historical significance and/or architectural beauty.

 

[James of Arc]

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[Goodbook]

I don't take part in other religious festivals, eg when Diwali is on I don't go join in.
As for shrines etc. I wouldn't spend my money going out of my way to visit them. I mean I wouldn't go to Mecca just to see the kaaba or whatever it is.

It just doesn't appeal to me also having been bought up around buddhist culture and folk religion, its not what you think it is on the outside. I once was invited to a meeting that was held on a former commune site and it had been put into a trust and taken over by buddhists, that had idols everywhere. The bush setting was quite beautiful, but spoiled by the idols everywhere.
I mean some people think the pyramids are cool, but now I'm a christian I just think there's no point going out of my way to see something that isn't important and a monument to dead people.

 

[Sketcher]

My guard would be up, but remember: Samson brought down the temple of Dagon.

 

[Goodbook]

If you go to Japan they have beautiful cherry blossoms. And also I would meet the people there rather than just go because it looks pretty. The first christian that actively witnessed to me was from Japan.

 

[James of Arc]

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[Goodbook]

I know many people who've taught english in Japan or been there, I have been there myself but just a stopover, so didn't see much. I remember the electronic toilet that I couldn't figure out how to use!!

They worship Hello Kitty there. I mean seriously. Hello Kitty may not be a doll or teddy bear, but she is an idol. If you going to Japan I think aesthetically be prepared for an onslaught of Hello Kitties.

In that case I'm not really sure you can do much because if they start becoming christians they WILL have to give up their idol hello kitties...and the whole hello kitty industry would collapse just like Paul inadvertently caused riots in Ephesus over shrines to Diana.

 

[James of Arc]

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[Goodbook]

Koreans have taken to christianity in a big way, and there's underground churches growing in China, but Japan is still a stronghold for shinto and buddhist worship.

I'm not sure what particular prayer strategy you could use for Japan as its so steeped in traditions, but many Japanese come over as exchange students and are being exposed to christianity..and they take that back with them and hopefully witness to others.

 

[Goodbook]

I think maybe the desire to learn English will lead them to the bible, but if the Bible is translated into Japanese that would help..if its more widely distributed. Also Japanese love karaoke so..learning songs about Jesus can be a witnessing tool.

If the Japanese are hungry for Jesus then definitely think about how best to witness, I think with the whole zen buddhist thing they might be surprised to learn Jesus suffered the most on the cross and didn't need to be reincarnated, instead He gave us the gift of eternal life. And he definitely taught righteousness that out-buddhas buddha.

 

[ilovesendai7]

I

I know many people who've taught english in Japan or been there, I have been there myself but just a stopover, so didn't see much. I remember the electronic toilet that I couldn't figure out how to use!!

They worship Hello Kitty there. I mean seriously. Hello Kitty may not be a doll or teddy bear, but she is an idol. If you going to Japan I think aesthetically be prepared for an onslaught of Hello Kitties.

In that case I'm not really sure you can do much because if they start becoming christians they WILL have to give up their idol hello kitties...and the whole hello kitty industry would collapse just like Paul inadvertently caused riots in Ephesus over shrines to Diana.

I lived in Japan for about six months three years ago and I have heeeeaps of Hello Kitty stuff, do you seriously think I should get rid of it?

My personal favourite character is Rilakkuma.

 

[miss-a]

I don't have any issues with others doing visiting to view the buildings, as long as they are strong in their faith. However, I don't recommend it, either. It could confuse a new Christian. For me personally, I was saved out of the New Age, which co-opted much of those sorts of religions, so I wouldn't be comfortable or enjoy it.

 

[ilovesendai7]

I think maybe the desire to learn English will lead them to the bible, but if the Bible is translated into Japanese that would help..if its more widely distributed. Also Japanese love karaoke so..learning songs about Jesus can be a witnessing tool.

If the Japanese are hungry for Jesus then definitely think about how best to witness, I think with the whole zen buddhist thing they might be surprised to learn Jesus suffered the most on the cross and didn't need to be reincarnated, instead He gave us the gift of eternal life. And he definitely taught righteousness that out-buddhas buddha.

Actually I'm studying Japanese at polytech and I am already fairly fluent, I have been studying it for a little over five years now. I believe that God put this on my heart so I could teach about Him in Japan. There are already a lot of churches in Japan, despite an only 1% Christianity rate. I have a few Japanese friends who are Christians. Some grew up Christian in Japan, some grew up in NZ, one became a Christian while studying in NZ. I'm going to her church with her in Yokohama during my trip. I have also been to a Japanese church nearish where I live. Both my workmate and my cousin's boyfriend are half Japanese from Christian families. Although few, Japanese Christians exist! I may end up marrying one someday.

 

[ilovesendai7]

Also my Mum's friend worked for YWAM in Japan, lived there for about 20 years and married a Japanese Christian.

 

[ViaCrucis]

I have been to Japan twice and am going back again in a month.

Japan is well known for its beautiful temples and shrines, and I have visited quite a few of them, including the huge Buddha in Nara.

My question is, what do others think about visiting places of non-Christian religious significance for purely aesthetic purposes?

There's nothing wrong with visiting historic sites that have religious significance for other people. If you aren't actively engaging in the religious rites of other religions then there's really no problem.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[ViaCrucis]

I don't have any issue with it. I would personally love to see The Patheon in Rome, Parthenon in Athens, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, even the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, and the Masjid al-Ḥaram in Mecca purely because of their historical significance and/or architectural beauty.

The Pantheon is pretty rad, I saw it when I was in Rome. Much of the Pantheon shows how it was refitted as a church in the 7th century. It's an interesting blend of pre-Christian pagan motifs and medieval Christian motifs.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Sketcher]

I feel that MacArthur's biggest mistake was he did not make the Japanese convert to Christianity.

You can't make anyone properly convert.

 

[Goodbook]

well, hello kitty has a lot of charm...but charm is deceitful...its up to you how much hello kitty you can take. I mean some people spend their life savings pocket money on that stuff.

 

[Goodbook]

ok not to make you paranoid, but..there is this

https://withchristianeyes.net/2014/09/07/hello-kitty-is-popular-but-is-she-evil/

If hello kitty is a girl not a cat, or a girl/cat, well...I dunno. Romans says people worshiped creation more than the creator and turned his likeness into animals etc. I mean you just don't see real cats walking round on two legs wearing clothes all the time right?
and apparently she does make $7 BILLION a year.