Thoughts on visiting temples and shrines

[tonychanyt]

I worked in Japan for a decade. Out of curiosity, I visited Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. I did not perform the ritualistic washing of hands or bowing before the dead monks. Just be discrete about it. Don't make noise. The temple people are usually nice and non-confrontational.

Naaman had an even tougher situation, 2 Kings 5:

18 But may the Lord forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning on my arm and I have to bow there also—when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord forgive your servant for this.”
19 “Go in peace,” Elisha said.

God was being gracious to Naaman who was a gentile.

I try not to pray to the Buddha or Shinto God when I’m praying in the temples and rather praying to Christ.

Exit the temple and pray to Christ.

Do you think going to these shrines and buying Good Luck Charms is a sin?

I think so. It means you believe in the power of their charms.