As a Japanese Christian , I really appreciate you for making this well analyzed and valuable video . Although there are a lot of needs like evangelists , churches , other stuffs in Japan, even if you all are not in Japan, you all can tell the Gospel to Japanese being in your countries. Japanese people are more open-minded when they go abroad than in Japan, so it is easier for them to accept the gospel. I hope God will use you guys.
This is a much better approach that will be much more effective. I think the Japanese people need genuine Japanese native Christians to help lead them to Christ in a gentle honest manner.
@@sirmrs6952 A vast majority of Japanese will never go abroad, and never meet a Christian abroad. So it is best to try to witness to them in Japan even if it is hard. Japanese churches compromised before WW2. They submitted themselves to the evil government and were never the same. They were never the same after that. They valued harmony over truth. To this day Japanese churches are weak on evangelism and are barely holding together. The ones that go against the culture and actually do evangelism are prospering, but they are in the minority.
@@DudeNamedDuncan Last time Japanese Christians united was before WW2. They united to compromise big time by cooperating with the evil government. That was a big scar for them and they were never the same after that. Japanese Christians have a history of compromise, not standing up for truth, because in Japanese culture harmony is a greater value than truth. The main issue is Japanese Christians do not evangelize well or at all.
@@John3.36 I am half-Japanese and live in Edmonton, Alberta. Since the mid-1970's Japanese tourists have been coming to the Canadian Rockies. Whenever I went to Banff and Jasper National Parks I would take Japanese language scriptures and leave them in the book section of Youth Hostels. It is not a perfect solution but I do what I can.
@@DudeNamedDuncan Japanese Christians compromised together before WW2. They were never the same after that. Japanese Christianity has always been weak in that it conforms to the culture for harmony rather than truth to reach the masses.
Theravada is the real Buddhism. It is better than any other religion, including Mahayana Buddhism because some Indian scammers made Mahayana Buddhism to reduce the power of Theravada teachings.
As much as I would like to to preserve people’s privacy I won’t be doing that on here. I appreciate the interest though. Also thanks for your opinion Niam! Sad to hear you think borders should be closed and immigrants should stay in their country of birth. Personally as the first generation son of an immigrant myself I believe diversity and open mindedness elevate all of us.
@@JohnnieBailey it's like me saying I should go to Europe and spread Islam or Buddhism because they believe in a false belief. Why do you people think you can intrude on another culture?
@@niamtxiv I don’t see anything wrong with Buddhist or Islamic missionaries going to Europe and proselytizing their beliefs. In the end, people make their own choices on what they believe. Offering more options to them doesn’t take away from them or their culture. Do you not believe in freedom of religion? Christianity has a 500 year history in Japan. Japanese Christians are Japanese and also a religious minority. Surely they are not less Japanese because of their religion? Just as an Italian Muslim is just as Italian as a Catholic one for example. All around a very strange take. Unless you don’t support religious freedom and cultural diversity
It really clicked for me when you said that although faith in Buddhism/Shinto isn't taken seriously in the modern day, it's important because it is seen as a facet of the Japanese identity, and as a Christian living in Japan, I believe what they really worship now is being Japanese. Since Japanese culture values conforming to the norm, there is a sort of set way to "be Japanese". This is why half-Japanese children can face problems being accepted, even though they may grow up in Japan. I've even heard some Japanese people who go abroad for a while and come back are told they're "not Japanese anymore" by friends. For Japanese people to be open to Christianity they absolutely need to be shown the love of Christ, but they also need to be willing to give up the security their identity as "Japanese" brings (in the cultural sense), and embrace a new identity in Christ. Cultures are beautiful and should be celebrated (Rev. 7:9), but conforming to culture can also be an idol.
That's such an interesting way to put it! I have been learning a lot about Japan in the past few years, ever since God has put a burden on my heart for Japan. It was always obvious that parts of the culture seemed to be a barrier to christianity, but I never realised that the simple fact of "being Japanese" could be as much as an idol for them. I am often thinking about how to show them that christianity does not have to be at odds with their identity as Japanese (which is still pertinent I think), but if they look at this identity and at all the cultural artifacts linked to it as an idol, they will have to let that go to come to Christ. It would be crucial to identify this as we reach out to Japanese people.
And some of my Christian Japanese friends told me that they are not "real" Japanese... I guess that relates to what you said. There is a very specific way to be Japanese, that you have to follow even if you are ethnically Japanese.
I'll give a perspective about this: Scriptures in the new testament *does* speak about culture and identity. It's interesting because in the NT we see Jewish people who worship being Jewish and all of their national and religious identity instead of the Lord God of Israel and his Messiah, Jesus. In fact, the Jews are blind to Christ because of that, and only the Spirit can light their hearts so they may see the glory of God in Christ Jesus (2 Co 4:6). Japanese people need to see the glory of God in Christ, they need to listen to the gospel. And so they might see that in Christ we receive a new live, new identity, we become people of God, we are loved, justified, forgiven. Because in Christ: "[...] you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)
I have to say, the gentleman sharing about how it took 50 years for someone to get saved but they did really encouraged me for people I’ve been praying over for 15 years. I’m grateful for hearing it tonight.
The editing on this channel should be what other christian channels aspire to be. Very well produced, easy to watch, you have set an amazing standard. I came from part 1 and watched the Iran Playlist...top tier content.
After reading Silence, Japanese Christianity has become a fascination for me, love this content! The storytelling and editing are awesome, thanks for sharing this.
Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are monotheistic religions that believe in one absolute God. On the other hand, Japanese Shinto is a polytheistic religion that enshrines many gods called Yaoyorozu no kami. From a Japanese perspective, Jesus Christ, Yahweh, and Allah are all considered to be one of many gods. Monotheistic religions such as Christianity required that all Japanese people change to believing in one God. In Japan, many people feel uncomfortable with this difference. Therefore, it is not very popular in Japan. Buddhism, which did not do so, became familiar to Japan. ⛩ Shinto is a ``faith'' without a founder.
Technically, the Abrahamic faiths didn't originally believe there was one absolute God, that's a later interpretation. Judaism was originally monolatristic, the First Commandment tells you that Yahweh is the God of the people who were brought out of slavery, that's not God of the universe, but God of the Jews, and it doesn't imply he's the only one. You can only interpret it that way if you view it monotheistically. The Second Commandment tells them not to bring other Gods before Yahweh. That's a commandment of exclusion, that you only worship Yahweh exclusively, not that all the other Gods are fake.
Christianity and Judaism has always been monotheistic. The God of the Jews is the same God of the universe. He chose the Jews as his people for no reason other than that He set His love on them.
Yes all other gods are fake because they cannot save and they did not create the universe. That is why no other religion can take you to God because none except Christianity answers the very needed problem of just punishment by a holy God and an eternal righteous relationship with him. You will never find an atonement and perpetual righteousness in any other religion or religious leader except Christ who is truly God.
@@addjoaprekobaah5914 "Christianity and Judaism has always been monotheistic." You should do a little more reading on the history of Judaism and whether or not they were always monotheistic
@@addjoaprekobaah5914 So every religion has its own creation myth, which is why Yahweh isn't relevant to most people in the world, even in ancient times. That isn't to say that Yahweh and Jesus aren't real or that they are evil, i believe they're righteous too. Jesus said that the only way to the Father is through him, he's not lying. But Yahweh's kingdom is just one destination in Heaven, there are many Gods and many destinations and paradises. You can't be saved by Yahweh if you don't follow him, that's true, but you can be saved by other gods.
Even though I'm from a completely different culture, when she started crying and explaining that even though she's been rejected by people and it's been hard, she can't stop believing in Jesus because He loves her and saved her, I knew EXACTLY what she was feeling and EXACTLY what she meant. This is the beauty of the gospel, the beauty of Christ. That love that knows no bounds, that love that heals you through and through, that redemptive love that changes everything. I pray for Japan and I pray for all brothers and sisters over there to stay strong and steadfast in the faith always. God loves you and there's a community of believers all over the world who love you ✝️❤️
It would be very hard to have so few Christians to talk to and relate to. It makes me grateful I don't have that in Canada. I feel that frustration w/ the odd friend who can't relate to me as a Christian, but they at least don't stop me from talking about it. That would be so hard.
Japanese people will only reject you if you keep pushing your beliefs onto them. I know many Japanese who are friends with Christians, but once they get all preachy the Japanese will tell them to chill out. Imagine me only ever bringing to a conversation how everyone without Christ is going to hell. Nothing say, “let’s be friends” than hellfire…
> the beauty of Christ. That love that knows no bounds, ... except merely not believing in Christ will get you thrown into a pit of fire for all eternity. Nope, sorry, don't need any of that. I as a father, will love my children even if they don't reciprocate my love. My kids not loving me is a ME problem, not a THEM problem. I have failed as a father. God, on the other hand. People not loving God is a THEM problem, which will end up with the them being tortured forever. God is a narcissistic and insecure, needing adulation and worship. Why? If he were a parent, he'd be a sh*tty one.
Yesterday, I watched a documentary called Christianity in Japan - A Full History, from the channel, @Easy Seikai. It went into more detail about the beliefs and history of Japan, as well as the horrific tortures suffered there by Christians during times of persecution. Such a fascinating history. I have always heard it's such a difficult place to reach for the gospel. This was so encouraging. I especially loved the interview with the Japanese pastor! What a blessing to have had such a heritage. And I just wanted to hug those dear young sisters.
About to watch this now. Looks good thanks! I actually starting watching the movie silence directed by: Martin Scorsese.. catholic movie but still awesome indeed of great endurance in the faith
I found it fascinating. And I truly don't know how people survive some of these horrors. I pray I am never in such a situation. I know how weak I am! @@noguile2737
In deed, Christians have been in Japan for nearly 500 years, but most of them were killed off in the late 1590s. It took Christians another 300+ years to reach a quarter of a million, and then the USA bomber Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the two cities in Japan with the most Chritians. So yea, Christians killing Christians... if you can call the Mason presdient a Christian... which now I think one cannot. Masons are not Christian, they are anti-Chritstian, Hence the reason he chose Nagasaki and Hiroshimas to be the bomb drop targets. In a matter of seconds the FreeMasonic president eradicated almost all Christians in Japan.
No. It not too theological and therefore all Christian can come together just to see a good faith based movie. Watch it, and lets talk about the ending 😔@@cristinamz2137
Japanese people celebrate births at Shinto shrines, many of them have their weddings in Christian churches, and funerals in Buddhist temples. It is said that many Japanese people are non-religious. Japanese people believe that gods are everywhere, and Jesus Christ and Allah are just one example. They believe that gods exist in mountains, the sea, the sun, the moon, trees, the wind, dogs, houses, and toilets. That is why they cherish and clean everything. These teachings are Shinto. Japanese people are Shinto believers without even realizing it. Shinto has no restrictions whatsoever, but there are shrines in every region throughout Japan, and they serve as playgrounds for local children.
"Being a Christian is seen as being non-Japanese" A quote from a Christian missionary friend of 32 years in Japan told me that while we ate our Udon in Tokyo 😅
As someone who’s part Japanese and a Christian, I loved this. Being Japanese through my mom’s side, she and I would often talk about how Japan’s is a very cold, spiritually-dead culture where loving or otherwise showing any emotion other than anger just aren’t things you do; ultra repressed. Add to that high stress because of unnecessarily brutal societal expectations and related suicides, low birth rates, etc., the Japanese people really, really need Jesus. I’ve always found the situation very sad. But it’s so heartening to see that slowly but surely, the gospel is continuing to spread there. On a personal note, when I was a kid, my grandma (full Japanese) would never embrace us grandkids or say she loved us, but as time’s gone on and she’s slowly become more open to the idea of Jesus, she’s simultaneously become much more open emotionally. She’s 90 now and she’s still not quite there yet, but I know that God will ultimately save her and the rest of my yet unsaved family. Thank you for making this video. Truly top-notch.
China seems to be having quite a Christian revival. There is persecution there for Christians and the church is underground from what I hear. Persecution seems to paradoxically make the church grow. I dont' think there is persecution of Christians in Japan, just a great indifference, from what I can tell.
That's what I see underneath the surface all the time, a society that's aimlessly existing. I see in the bitterness in the undertide makes me what to go there to become a missionary
What? You actually care about your mother and grandmother? You must be an apostate . . . *Matthew 10:34-35* “Do NOT suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." *Matthew 10:37* “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” *Luke 14:26* “If anyone comes to me and does not *hate* their father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even their own life - such a person cannot be my disciple."
This is so convicting, to think of the privilege I have as a Christian in my home country brings sobriety to how I live for God. Thanks for sharing this, I pray that The Lord will remember Japan and that He'll raise workers to labor with Him in for His Glory.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
I am Japanese and a casual follower of Shinto and Buddhism, have always been fascinated by the cultures of the West and the Middle East since my childhood. Now I have read too much about how Jews, Christians, Muslims and various sects among them did to each other, and feel like I'm not going to dive into the chaos and take side myself.
I am American and interested in Buddhism and Shinto and try to integrate into my daily life when I can. It can be difficult when you live outside of Japan or in a place that doesn't have a significant Japanese diaspora. In Hawaii, there exist Shinto shrines dedicated to both Japanese and local Hawaiian gods.
You don't have to take sides. But consider what you have read (since you claim to read too much about those religions) and ask yourself this. If Christians did terrible things in certain points of history, were they doing it because they were following Christ's teachings OR were they doing it because they were NOT being faithful to Christ's teachings (and doing so for other agendas)? You will find the answer. And presuming that you know your own people's history, it's not like Shinto and Buddhism co-existed peacefully all the time as well. (e.g. see 廃仏毀釈 and 神仏分離 and Kokugaku and so on)
Judaism, Christianity, Submission are Semitic. For true Western thoughts and philosophy, study Solon, Cleisthenes, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Zeno, Cicero, Marcus Aurelius, Giordano Bruno, Francis Bacon, Galileo Galilei, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Voltaire, Denis Diderot, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Montesquieu, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, Ethan Allen, Charles Darwin, Nikola Tesla . . . (some have certain parallels with Buddhism).
@@JamieBar Shintoism may be great for the environment, but horrible for society (s......., brutal warfare), like the Submission religion. Polynesians practiced human sacrifice, and k........ their enemies to gain their _mana._ Buddhism, Taoism, Stoicism are a better way to go.
This editing work, cinematography, and script writing is amazing for getting its point across. Keep up the good work, this is absolutely stunning to see from such a small creator.
I'm not a Japanese but I've been deep into Japanese culture for many years, I was fascinated by Buddhism and Shinto and did a lot of research for a story that I write (you may call it a medieval japanese fantasy dealing with spiritual questions) and you know what, I failed to find a "happy ending" resolution in the oriental teachings. I truly love and respect those cultures, yet in the end I had to invite into my story the One Lord who is Love and hope for all, the Creator that Buddha refused to believe in. Letting go of everything including love and attachments in order to find liberation from sufferings is indeed a very sad way. And it happened not just in my story but in my real life as well. God let me meet him after such a roundabout, having been born in a Christian country (though atheistic at that time), baptised in early childhood, I've been seeking truth everywhere, in different cultures and beliefs, except where it has always been - right under my nose.
Yes, a sad way. This is far better: *Matthew 10:34-35* “Do NOT suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." *Matthew 10:37* “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” *Luke 14:26* “If anyone comes to me and does not *hate* their father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even their own life - such a person cannot be my disciple."
@@JamieBar Choices? Freedom? Sounds like Orwell's Doublespeak, Doublethink and cognitive dissonance: *1-Peter 2:18* _“Slaves,_ in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.” *Ephesians 6:5-7* _"Slaves,_ obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as *slaves* of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.” *Romans 1:1* "Paul, a _bondservant_ of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God." *Romans 6:16* “Surely you know that you become the *slaves* of whatever you give yourselves to. Anything or anyone you follow will be your _master.”_ *1 Timothy 2:1-3* “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for *KINGS* and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.”
there is a famous saying about Japan which is: "you born a Shinto, you marry as Christian, and you die as Buddhist", which describe the place such ceremonies take place (Shinto shrine for newborn ceremony, church for marriage ceremony, and Buddhist shrine for funeral ceremony, at least sort of). I think most Japanese view religions culturally (like you have said) and aesthetically (most Japanese are fond of (and some of them even have embraced) Christian aesthetics and themes even to their creative works), not spiritually like others view religions. I think one way (not necessarily the only way) to bring Japan(ese) to accept the Gospel is to convince them the significance of religion to their life and how Christ is the best way of all
There is also probably the overwork culture, which is definitely spiritual in nature. If Satan cannot shake your faith once you know the Gospel, his minions will make you busy so you dont even have time to think about your spiritual salvation. In the past i wouldve thought its just a cultural thing, but even the most "hustle" cultured country America barely competes with Japan crazy work culture (even if its mostly just staying at office doing no actual work). It certainly have demonic influence in nature.
@@JohnCephas aw shucks. I was commenting on how a wise Christian said that if Satan cant turn you away from God, we will be made busy. CS Lewis or maybe someone else xD. Basically whats happening in Japan ig. They dont even have time for themselves, and only attend "tradition" events like new year etc. And imagine the tradition being etched as identity, that would make it so hard to try and find God, or even think about questions that lead to search for God (life purpose, etcetc)
I've been living here in Japan now for 12yrs, and while the narrow path to following God is a lonely journey, giving up friends/family who choose not to walk alongside you, it's God who will be the lamp to your feet and light unto your path to others who unite with you in Jesus name.
Hey, it's all part of the contract, you know, _family values?_ *Matthew 10:34-35* “Do NOT suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." *Matthew 10:37* “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” *Luke 14:26* “If anyone comes to me and does not *hate* their father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even their own life - such a person cannot be my disciple."
I'm currently in Osaka and have seen you during Sunday's Mass. As a migrant from Vietnam who's just arrived in Osaka, I really admired Missionaries for their efforts, countless of them shedded their blood and lives to built the foundation for Vietnam's Catholic Church to flourish as it is today. In that spirit, please have faith and do the same for Japan's Christianity, so that one day people here will come to live as brothers and sisters in God. Thank you. ( We always pray for Japan's Christians during Masses in Vietnam in memory of Father Francis Xavier and the Martyrdom of Japan)
@@vuanh75 thanks for your message. I admire the Vietnamese catholics. I don’t know how it was the evangelization of Vietnam, but they made a very good job. Your love for the Sunday mass and the sacrament of reconciliation is a sign of this treasure. If you want to talk more just let me know who you are on a Sunday mass. Kind regards.
@@paulwu1301 I don’t think the question is “learn about Buddhism or learn about Christianism”. I think the question is “learn about Buddhism and Christianism”. And I can assure you I am trying to understand not only Buddhism but also Shintoism. If I want to announce Jesuschrist to Japanese people, for sure I should know both.
Very moving. I was so pleased that one of the young women interviewed became a Christian in NZ, my country and even more so because of the love the oeople shared with each other and with her.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
Why Japan? What about the people of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, West Virginia, Arkansas, with all their obesity, diabetes, depression, opioid add______ . . . Or Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesian, Malaysia with all their t______m and "honor k_____s? Are you racist or just plain chicken?
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
God uses many ways to reach people for Christ. Jesus wants you for heaven too! I encourage you to look into the Bible. Jesus died for your chance for heaven, and now that He is risen, He is waiting for you to accept His sacrifice so you may join HIm in heaven at your death.
Japanese culture is admired throughout the world as the most polite and respectful of all cultures. The Japanese character is based on harmony and compassion, taught exclusively by the saints of Yamato Buddhism and the philosophers of Shinto. Pagans and foolish foreigners cannot learn Yamato spirit. Japan is only for Samurai Buddhism & Shinto. 🇯🇵
As someone who's lived in Japan for 25 years, I can affirm that you get a lot right in this video, but there are two big things you leave out. First, ancestors are one very big reason why Japan will be the last country on Earth to become Christian. Sixteenth-century missionaries encountered the same problem, when Japanese tearfully asked them: "What about our ancestors? Are they damned?" If there's one thing that virtually all Japanese believe in, it's respect for and veneration of one's ancestors. For that reason alone, any religion that says you can't get to heaven without being baptized into another faith doesn't even get to first base. Second, as someone who's lived in Japan for a long time, I can attest that most Japanese are better people than most Christians around the world. They're more honest, more courteous, more helpful and much less violent than people in other countries. If you're going to evangelize the Japanese, you need to make sure that the evangelists are at least as virtuous as the people they're sent to preach to - otherwise it reflects badly on your faith. By the way, I'm a Christian.
But you see... I am getting in hot waters but I want to say this... Protestants such as Calvinists have very strict "rules" for what entry into Heaven means, they even go for predetermination of salvation & damnation. American Christians have a big emphasis on "being saved" by baptism & faith in Jesus' name because they emphasize a few very important lines from the Scripture (namely that eternal life is giving through the rebirth of the Holy Baptism and that no one can come through The Father except through His Son, Jesus Christ), but omit plenty of other lines (briefly that some worship to Whom they know, but some still worship to Whom they do not yet know, that what is impossible for man is possible for God, that saying "Lord, Lord" won't get you into the Eternal Feast, i.e being nominally Christian is not enough, not even saying you believe in the Name etc). This leaves us with the understanding of Salvation that Western Christians have (that I've noticed the Pastor in the video also has), which is unlike that of Eastern Christians. (Catholics are actually somewhere in the middle with their dogma of Purgatory but that's imo wrong for many reasons) An Orthodox Christian would say that if you want any chance for actual Salvation from Christ to your ancestors, you yourself NEED to get baptized. That Salvation is not an individualistic thing and that Jesus already harrowed hell once. That The Father is interested in the heart and that it is Christians that bear the responsibility of their faith, not those that haven't yet heard the Gospel (Parable of the Minas & Parable of the Talents, also Luke 12:48). The way Orthodox Christians view Salvation is completely different, it is mystical, it is not legalistic, it is also not easy (Protestants insist of salvation by faith alone, Orthodox insist on faith proven by acts, I'd say the Orthodox set themselves up for a more difficult job). We need to keep in mind that hell was harrowed once. If there's any hope for pagan ancestors, that hope is in Christ! THAT is the message for people holding their loved deceased ones dearly.
Your answer is simple - Ask those Japanese folks if their ancestors followed their conscience or not. Those who did not, and died guilty and ashamed of their lives for which they never made any penance for, were likely dammed. Those who did, rose with Christ. Simple. Baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation, but if you had no chance, at all, for it, then simply following your conscience was enough. (This is a Catholic speaking, btw.)
I love the world's diversity of cultures and ways of seeing the world. Japan is one of my favorites. So it actually angers me to see that people, regardless of good intentions, seek to paint other cultures over with their monotheistic brushes or worse; take over completely, like an invasive species. This has happened enough throughout history. The Japanese culture has problems and wounds, but all cultures do. We all suffer and heal. The planet we all live on is itself fractured and bleeding; that makes it dynamic and living. No evangelical has to come and patch it up. Japan with its unique culture will stay in touch with itself. It already is a very blessed country. Peace.
There is one way to God. It's Christ, that's it. He so graciously provided a way to be saved. The question isn't "why is there only one way of salvation" but rather "why is there any way of salvation"? "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord"
Suicide is the leading cause of death in Japanese men between the ages of 20-44 and Japanese women between the ages of 15-34. Does that sound blessed? Deep down, underneath the surface of culture, there is a desperation within their souls. Whether this is loneliness, depression, or other mental illness, it is a big issue in Japan. The aesthetic and atmosphere of Japan’s history and spirituality is indeed beautiful, but it is not living. The temples and idols made of wood offer nothing. There is only one living God who can offer remedy for the illness within the soul of any human, Japanese, Italian, Burmese, Saudi, for anyone. But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
Praying for our brothers and sisters in Japan, keep on the faith and will be praying for Jesus to be known in Japan. May God bless you more! From your brother here in the Philippines.
They know who he is and they don’t want to believe in somebody who claims to be a universal god but only spent his life in the Roman province of Palestine and never cared to travel the world to spread his message
@@FRN2013this is not real sprituality it is just race of Christian and Muslim. We all know how religious and spiritual is west is ! When some one new come under Christian fold they get spiritual feelings and connection but after 20- 30 years all there spritual fades away and they become scientific. But Japan/ Buddhism is opp of these, that they know real spirituality and have better connect with supreme and divine God 🙏 . Namo Budhaye 🧡🙏
SteveBreaks, you have no idea what Christianity is. But that's OK. Most people don't. Real Christianity is death to your old sinful life, and resurrection into life with Jesus, the risen Savior and Lord.
Thank you so much! We are heading to Japan soon for missions and this is so encouraging! I will share it with all of our supporters! May the Lord of the harvest send out laborers into His field!
I will pray for your mission! 🙏 If I may ask, what denomination are you guys? Also, did you know that Chrono Trigger has some Christian imagery in it? I couldn’t help but make the connection because of your pfp and the context.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
Wow... As an American who's lived in Japan nearly all my life, I've had no idea that these 2 religions co-exist. About a week ago I was praying in tongues about Japan and its religion, and this random word jumped out at me: "shokyoubyouki." (Kanji: 諸教病気) So I went to Google Translate, and turns out it means "various religions disease". (I'm pretty certain this isn't a common word/phrase in Japanese, but rather a combination of words) Anyway, this was such a cool confirmation, and I am ready to see God break these strongholds of religion down!
This shows the exact disrespectfulness of religious foreigners who really care nothing about local culture. You live in Japan for your life and you've never heard 神仏習合?
Thank you so much for these videos. To see the hearts of these two girls and the pastors for the Japanese people is really touching. I keep crying to all these videos! I'm praying for the people of Japan and for the Lord to do a mighty work in their hearts.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
People all over the world praise Japan for its cleanliness and politeness. We must protect Japan's unparalleled culture, civilization and traditions! Samurai mandated that every Japanese must follow Samurai Buddhism & Shinto -no other cultures allowed!
As a girl I read a lot of manga and watched anime. As a Christian that cares deeply about the gospel, I also knew Japan has less than 1% of it's population as believers and I knew according to surveys people kind of said they had no religion. But from all the media I was consuming I could see that the people did partake in loads of religious traditions-- especially Shinto ones. I was always so confused about how a culture could simultaneously be so religious and yet not at all. Part of it had to do with the weird post WWII declaration that worshipping the emperor was then illegal, but I was just surprised that I could never find an article, research, or video to do a deep dive on the why. This is the closest explanation I've seen so far.
I think you will find your own Christian beliefs to be highly bound up in your cultural assumptions and world view as well. Your sense of self, your sense of time, your sense of having the freedom to direct your own affairs, your sense of fairness, your sense of suffering, all of these are most likely Western in form, and each profoundly one affects your theology and your faith.
That's not only an Asian thing but a very East Asian (China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam) thing. They practice their traditional religion mostly as a part of their culture, not as a part of religion.
If you read a lot of manga, you must've noticed "itadakimasu" - what we say before a meal. This one word to me is the biggest difference between Shinto + Japanese world view/culture and the Christian worldview - and why most Japanese simply can't accept the Christian worldview. As a Japanese, we're ingrained from a young age to appreciate everything around us, and treat everything as if it has a soul. Our food we eat, we recognize as a living thing, and we believe we're not special creations. That's why when we eat, we thank the food and recognize its sacrifice so that we may live. The Christian worldview is humans as special creation. Christians thank God for providing the food. To us, this doesn't feel right. Christians put humans at the top, and all other animals are there for human benefit. No acknowledgement of the sacrifice of the animal, but thanking God for giving humans the gift of the animal. I just can't see myself as the center of the world like that. I'd rather be on the same level as the bugs, the trees, the cow, the whale than feel like this world and everything in it is here for my benefit.
As often said, we Japanese celebrate Christmas, listen to the temple bells on New Year's Eve, and visit shrines for Hatsumode in the New Year. Weddings follow Western Christian customs, while funerals are conducted in Buddhist tradition. For many non-religious Japanese, including myself, these various religious rituals serve more as excuses for socializing or as moments to pause economic activities and reflect on oneself, rather than expressions of belief. Renowned Japanese psychologist pointed out Japan's unique position as neither a paternalistic society like the West nor a maternalistic one like some Asian cultures, but rather a country where the center is empty. While Japanese people are generally open to embracing foreign religions and cultures, they do not wish to be fully dominated by them. Emperor, as a symbol, exists, yet nobody perceives them as a ruler. The throne must always remain vacant, as it is a place for an existence beyond human comprehension. I share a similar impression.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
I find similar difficulties as a Buddhist in the West. It has taken years of practice to break away from my Christian past and become more culturally Buddhist. I am so grateful to have been a part of a growing community after having converted solely on my own.
@@Arjunarjunskiy Zen is rather syncretic. It borrows a lot from Taoism. Theravada more closely related to the earliest forms/practice of Buddhism. I have great respect for the Mahayana streams of Buddhism but certainly prefer Theravada.
@@Arjunarjunskiy I categorize Buddhism differently than most. Theravada, Vajrayana/Tibetan, Zen/Cha'an, and "general" Mahayana. I could almost make a point in saying Zen isn't really Mahayana. It comes back in some ways to so called "Hinayana". In Zen one is expected to attain enlightenment through one's own effort as in Theravada. The grace of and devotion to Bodhisatvas isn't much of a thing in Zen and that rather defines Mahayana.
To be honest i find it kind of disrespectful to try to convert other people into your religion. Keep it to yourself. Imagine someone came to you and told you your religion is wrong and you need to become Islam/Atheist/Whatever. Preachers should be banned from public areas, especially when they tell me i will go to hell/Dschahannam/Naraka/Hades Underworld or whatever.
When Ami-san said that Japanese just don't know how to love each other, something inside me just broke. It seems to be normal these days to notice people get misled by pop-culture about true values in life but it is a different thing when it is somewhat of a national idea. I pray for my brothers and sisters who spread the Word in Japan. You do a great job and you are blessed in so many ways. God help you, thanks for being there. It just motivates me so much to give more for people here where I live. Truly there is so much lost to be found still
Sorry, but Ami-san is full of shi*. I'm Japanese-American, atheist but culturally Buddhist/Shinto. Any religion that tells you you are to love Jesus or God more than your family is the one who knows nothing about love.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
Japan is known in the world for having the most respectful and polite citizens, one friend shared that this fact could also be a barrier on reaching them since their citizens think that being clean, nice and polite or doing "good" would somehow earn them their version of heaven.
I'm so thankful for your work. These two last episodes about Japan have brought me to tears. Thank you for these documentaries. Japan is truly in a desperate need of Jesus.
Buddhism and Shinto developed while Japanese culture was still in its genesis. While Christianity came much later I history hence the big historical divide.
Even as an American I can relate to the stumbling block of “love” Must be very hard for the Japanese to soften theyre hearts I’ve always loved Japanese culture
I’ve been learning the Japanese language for 2.5 years now. As of now, I plan to attend University in Japan, and seeing this video really shows how much research was done as someone who is interested in Japanese history. They are a people of perseverance and diligence, and I wholeheartedly respect them for that. I pray that Japanese people will realize that following Jesus does not mean abandoning their culture.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, foolish pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
Majority of Japan is aethist and not religious. Just as America will celebrate with fireworks on July 4th and New Year’s Eve it’s the same concept with Japan participating in Shinto and Buddhism. It’s like how you said, they don’t identify it as a religion they belong to but part of identity of being Japanese.
I live in London. A few weeks ago I met two nice Japanese ladies seperately and then I shared about the Gospel of Jesus. I am from South Korea. I am always trying to let those who have never heard or never read about our Savior and His love.
@@saintejeannedarc9460yes, S Korea used to have the biggest Church in terms of the number of members in attendance. They used to be the #1 country in terms of the number of missionaries sent out to the world. PS I only say "used to" in the two statements because i dont know what the statistics are true so they might still be true in 2024 but i didnt want to give you false information that may not be true today but it was true for some time well into the mid 2010's.
@@davidp1017 That is wonderful to hear that not all of Asia is Godless, or w/out the one true and living God. I've heard China has the fastest growing church as well. It's a persecuted and largely underground church, but that's usually when the church grows the fastest.
Wow so good! Thanks for sharing this super ultra insightful video! I’m currently reaching out to a Japanese friend I’ve meet a month ago over a conversation app, just being myself and asking a bunch of questions, eventually leading me to share my testimony…she has been more open. Just a few days ago she shared she feels absolutely worthless by the way her family and relatives treats her. I forwarded to her the Japanese version of “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury. She said it is a beautiful song!! She no longer wants feel worthless no more! Praise Jesus!! She does struggle with anxiety and take medication for it. She is optimistic and wants to improve. Yup yup. She asks a lot of good questions about Jesus. I use the “Bible project” Japanese videos to help explain to her in her language so she can understand. Her testimony is a working progress. Looking forward to see what The Lord does in her life in these coming months. All glory to Jesus!! Hallelujah!
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, foolish pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
To these sisters in Japan, I love you so much. I haven’t met you in person and I likely won’t meet you in this life, but in eternity we will be home together ❤ I feel similar loneliness feeling like I have to keep my faith to myself amongst family. I’m often thinking of how to balance making them feel respected and also doing what’s best for them while they’re in ignorance. It is indeed a very lonely place. It’s like being the only adult in the room, and that you’d like everyone you’re with to get it so you can talk freely. But we must keep being the bigger people, the adults per se, the shepherds to help lead these sheep. Until they themselves are shepherds, we cannot expect the sheep to get us. So they would make us feel lonely. So thankful Jesus is the Shepherd of shepherds whom we can always look to. I love you ladies so much. And this also goes for anyone else in the Family of God: Love you all ❤
Religion is expressed through culture. Christianity, when properly embraced, should purify a culture by embracing the best in it while stripping away the worst of it.
Why would anyone convert to a religion that is declining in its home countries? The entire Christian project is inherently colonial, especially since it merged with and spread via the Roman Empire. If Christians want to go somewhere to spread their religion, it’s only fair that they learn in depth from a master or practitioner of the local religion. Japanese people can find a way to loosen up their own emotional lives and ways of relating with one another to live warmer, more enriching lives and relationships without converting to a different religion and foreign, American Protestant worldview.
@@Xrre343k7a3s I lived in Istanbul and there was an evangelical Christian church in a cool, young, college part of the city. I realized that the attraction for Turkish youth to go there wasn't authentically about Christianity, it was American culture. They just liked being in a space that was governed by a more progressive, wealthier society and was also inviting and supportive. That's the power of American evangelism in other countries- the unimaginable soft power of white America.
Christianity doesn't have a home country. It's gone all over the world. Within 100 years of Jesus's ascension into heaven the Gospel had gone as far as South Asia and even into China. If you want to argue that it has a home region, it's the Middle East, and the church is growing fastest in places like Iran.
christianity is a destroyer of religions, despite being christian I'm going to pray that non christians get to keep their religious beliefs and not be tempted by the sweet words of christians, shintoism is beautiful and it should be preserved
Jesus is not American, and Christianity isn’t American. When God incarnated Jesus was born in the Middle East but God Himself transcends all culture and race because He created all of it. Therefore He is just as applicable to a person living in the heart of a Japanese fishing village as He is to someone baking bread in a french bakery. This is about connection to the source of creation, God, not about religion or country.
Praise God for this comment section also. Its so motivating to see that despute the odds, there are workers. May the Lord continue to be with those there and hopefully i can join as a worker too
Wow, Steven. This was incredibly moving. Can't wait to see the next part. But you managed to beautifully demonstrate how God loves the Japanese people and how important it is for them to know the truth about Jesus.
Depressing. Selling bible based Christianity is disrespectful when there is an sophistocated indigenous spiritual culture. We Christians would do better to try to discover what the Japanese can offer us.
What's depressing is living a superficial, meaningless life. I'm happy to be Japanese & Christian. Knowing that God made me fearfully & wonderfully, & that every problem in life has a purpose.
I too love Japan but you dont know the dark history about Japan, they wiped out their own people in genocide for them following the God they wanted to, (Jesus) they wiped out the missionaries killing everyone christian they could find with "stepping plates" I think it was in the tokugawa or edo period. They crucified christians tortured people for months pouring boiling water on them, they invaded russia and china, they attacked America. They have been some of the cruelest people on earth cutting marines penises off in ww2 and sticking their own penises in marines mouths. They still have not apologised for the genocides to their own people and the chinese. I love the animation of Japan, I love the food, I love the game shows, I love the language and I was planning on moving their and teaching english as a second language. Also samurai and Jujitsu and pride fighting championships and honda and yamaha are awesome companies They are not innocent and have committed egregious evil like all nations, they have their history of killing babies and infanticide like almost all past nations and most nations today in the genocide of abortion. Not only that they teamed up with the nazies. Just thought I would enlighten you.
This video passed so quickly! Loved the production, and the testimonies. Really makes me think about the harvest. There are plenty of needs to be met, of harvest to gather, and we need to pray for the Lord to send more workers
I loved this episode. I love Japanese culture and the Japanese people so much and I have such great hope for them coming to Christ in the future. It would be so wonderful if you were able to interview members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Japan. I want to learn more about their lives and how they are living their lives in Japan. It would be so wonderful to see, as brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. Bless you for spreading the Good Word.
This popped up in my recommendations. I am not really familiar with the context of Christianity with the non-Catholics so thanks for bringing this up! I saw your other video about the start of Christianity in Japan. I'll watch it later. You may want to research Takayama "Justo" Ukon's life.
This is awesome. I love it. it brought what my professor taught to life! My professor of missions was Ray D. Arnold… he was one of the 1,000 missionaries that General MacArthur called to go to Japan at the conclusion of WWII. One blog notes this about the endeavor: "Perhaps General MacArthur didn’t succeed in bringing Christianity to Japan in the institutional sense. But he did bring mercy, forgiveness and respect for human dignity-the heart of Christianity-and these the Japanese graciously accepted."
Praise God! What powerful testimonies. I will be praying for them and Japan. My heart breaks for how lonely they must feel, but I rejoice that it's the almighty God who stands with them! ❤️
Thank you God for this great miracle you are doing. Many will disagree, many will mock and jeer at Christians. Many will stand in the sidelines and stay unbelief. However, You are greater than these barriers. Even the most strong headed person can be changed by Jesus's power. I have always know that Christians exist in Japan, but this is the first time the situation they're facing every day are presented so clearly to me. Thank you Radical for making this video and opening my eyes.
@@JamieBar Belief in Jesus means belief in the Good News that He brings i.e. the Gospel. That Jesus is God who came down to earth as human. That He died on the cross and rose back up on the 3rd day to redeem humanity and freely gift all who believes Him the free gift of Salvation ❤️✝️
@@JamieBar Romans 10:9 NIV [9] If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. So, if you believe that Jesus is your God and Savior, that's the type of belief that leads to salvation. But if you just believe, let's say that Jesus is just a historical figure or a good man, then that should be categorize as "just belief". Hopefully I'm not getting ur question wrong...
I’m so glad I stumbled upon your channel thanks to a link to the interview with my friend Chad Farmer. I’ve had a heart for Japan for nearly three decades.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
Wow i like documents and struggle to find the ones like this so i really enjoyed watching these please make more!!! So educational and it was filmed well thank you! 😱❤
The tone of this video is a bit strange. It'd be like a japanese person going to the US, asking why America rejects the shinto faith, and seeking to spread the good word of Amaterasu. I guess we're all just more used to proselytizing from monotheistic religions, weird to see how these things get normalized in societies to the point where it's hard for Christians to understand why people who aren't inured in their worldview might find their actions discomforting.
We are answering the call to join God in Japan in early 2025. These videos have been very insightful. It has made us more aware of the importance of covering Japan in prayer. Thank you. I look forward to the next episode. 🙏
Thanks for your efforts. For over a decade I have asked Japanese christian people why Japan is so resistant to the gospel, while N. Korea and China and other Asian nations have had large numbers of conversions. The latest person I asked was a very wise and dedicated older gentleman whose father was a renowned Christian evangelist as we were involved in disaster relief after the latest earthquake in Takayoka. He basically said he doesn’t know why. This is the reply I have received from many over the years. So don’t be so sure you somehow figured it out. My opinion is it’s complex and multifaceted. Societal pressures, materialism, ancestor dedication, Buddhism, Shinto and other factors obviously are surface reasons, but other cultures have similar stumbling blocks and still have much higher numbers of a Christian converts. So, I believe there is a very strong spiritual blindness over the hearts and minds of the people of Japan by our enemy. Why it has been so strong for so long compared to other places, I don’t know. Pray. I think of Jesus words in Mark 9:28-29. I believe this insight has application to Japan. 28And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” God bless.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, foolish pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
Despite being my first time commenting on RUclips, I had to do so hearing this shocking one sentence. 03:02 "That's what makes it so hard for many people to embrace the good news that there's actually only one true God that they can know personally through Jesus." Religions are ways individuals see the world. One can look at the world from the Bible's teachings, others from their parents' teachings, and some from their own thoughts and values. Everyone has the right to believe and think however they like, so the attitude of this channel is extremely arrogant. I have nothing against Christianity or any other religion. People should mind their own business, especially if those around you already seem happy.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, foolish pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
I'm here to learn about Japan's relationship with the spiritual and especially with Christ. But I just have to say, man, you do good work. These videos are top tier quality. I appreciate it.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, foolish pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
we have a favor to ask of foreign tourists coming to Japan.If you are going to enjoy Japanese culture, please have respect for the Japanese religion of Buddhism and Shinto. Because Buddhism and Shinto are a big part of our culture. Frankly speaking, many of us feel that Japan does not need missionaries. We are not dissatisfied with our religious views because we are not dissatisfied with our own.
This is not about destroying culture, It is about the ultimate truth. Jesus is the ultimate truth. And there is joy and culture in Jesus Christ. He allows culture but in a way that glorifies holiness, not demonic strongholds
Naah you don't speak for the whole of Japan. Stop assuming it cos you will never know how many people need God in their life. I have been a buddhist for the past 40 years and doing good deeds and charities until Jesus found me in my most vulnerable moments when praying to idols have nothing. Buddhism is all about nothingness. From nothing going to nothing. How sad. He showed me that He exists and love us all the same and my life was turned around. I never knew life has such treasure that I didn't know off and how i wished i known it sooner. Search the ancient scriptures even in Chinese ancient history have accounts of the one true God. The missionaries are not to convert but to share who this marvellous God is. Only God can touch your heart and you make the choice to accept Him or not in your life.
@@woodkey1 Please do not misunderstand my opinion. I do not deny Christianity. There are many people in Japan who are saved by Buddha and deity just as you are saved by Jesus. I only want you to respect our culture and know the background of our culture. Thanks for your comment🙂
Crying and praying over Japan, the second largest unreached in the world. May the love of Jesus be made known among the Japanese people, the one who died for every tongue, tribe and nations.
I'm happy that you made a series about this. I was going to be a little ticked if you just made the one mini doc. I've been on several mission trips to Japan, and this is a very nuanced subject.
Hearing a Japanese Christian talk about how lonely she was, being unable to share her faith with her family and friends, really struck a chord with me. I'm American, myself, and I spent many years trapped in an educational system, and a culture in general, where Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular were vilified constantly. I spent years wanting nothing more than to connect with other Catholics, or just Christians in general. It gave me a real appreciation for anyone who believes in Jesus, regardless of what denomination they fall under.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, foolish pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
Very interesting explanation of Japan’s religious views. I was expecting you would talk about the first Christian Missionaries and those who died due to their faith. Saint Paul Miki coming into mind. It’d be good to develop a video where the efforts of those missionaries are explained and also tour through the Churches these missionaries laid a foundation to.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, foolish pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
Thanks for making this dude, it was interesring to listen to. Those Japanese ladies were so insighful and their English is so good, it was really impressive. Japanese Christianity is a veey unappreciated subject so its great to see suchhogly high quality content on the topic. It's interesting that their exposure to Christianity is exclusively Protestant, I wonder of they have any experience with Catholic doctrine
@Ggdivhjkjl Yes I'm aware of the decently large Catholic population in Nagasaki, but I was curious if there was many in other areas. Nagasaki wasnt targeted because of its Catholic population. It was a key piece of the Japanese army, the destruction of which allowed the Allies to make Japan surrender and get peace, saving millions of lives. I'd call a very worthwhile trade
As one who has lived in Japan for over 25 years, I would say that the sense of duty here is very strong and that doing something for someone to whom one owes no duty (such as performing true acts of love) can not only create embarrassment but also cause a nuisance, as these acts are often interpreted as obliging reciprocation. Pray for Japan.
Leave the Japanese alone with your death cult. The Japanese have the right idea that when someone doesn't ask for something it becomes a burden when pushed unto them. It can cause the formation of shame in some for not reciprocating in kind. Sometimes the good thing to do is nothing.
Good observation! No one wants to be obliged. I wonder how to meet that objection? Is it enough to emphasize that there are no strings attached to the love shown? Is it to emphasize that God is like a father and so he WANTS to bless them?
@@SongsOfRelief Maybe show them that the 1st Commandment isn't in some way a means of taking away their culture and replacing it with a foreign one...if you can.
The hearts are hardened anywhere, but it’s particularly rocky and brittle here in Japan, I pray the Orthodox Church can thrive in Japan as the times get darker, we are the lamp of Christ in this world
Japan is where I am called, I visited Sendai in August 2023 for a month and I'm planing to return for 3 months, I've been thinking how I can put videos together about my experience and where God is leading me, tying it in with my gaming content, I have a passion for reaching 'otaku'. Seeing this really made it clear, God has branded Japanese onto my heart. [Also your production quality is incredible]
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, foolish pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
It is somewhat kind of scary why Christian and Islamic people push us to believe in their faith. Every country has its own culture. Shinto has been rooted in our lives since ancient times. This is something that comes naturally to us Japanese people, so most of us don't even realize it. And, the Emperor, whom we have respected for generations, is the highest-ranking priest who performs Shinto rituals. Shinto does not have conflicts between religions like Christianity and Islam, nor does it have any sects, so there is no conflict between sects. The emperor prays for a rich harvest, express gratitude for the blessings of nature, and prays for peace and harmony in the country. As you see, Japan has this unique culture. Please keep your faith and leave us alone. Let's respect each other's culture. That way we can avoid all kinds of conflicts like you had religious wars or the wars between catholic and protestant in your history.
They do not understand the language of human beings. Do not expect them to understand rational arguments. They only mend their ways once they get thrashed, either verbally or physically. The abrahamic faith has cursed humanity with perennial warfare and conflict.
Looking at Western/European history, various nations had their own gods and religions like those of Ancient Greece and Rome. I'm very glad that in the 21st century people are starting to go back and practice their ancestral religions . I envy nations like Japan, India and China as they were not forced to lose their native religions like Europe was.
It was the same in African culture. The king is a high priest and is lead by our spirits and divinities for the welfare of the nation. Our religions were deeply rooted in ours cultures and you couldn't part them.
They probably cannot leave us alone. This has happened throughout history. Islamic invasions, Christian colonization, you name it. They believe they are right, by trying to impose their myopic view of their own religion.
Please leave Japan alone 😭 why y’all feel like everyone has got to be Christian? First showing how they have a beautiful culture and how their beliefs are such a central part of it. Then advertising trying to eradicate that part of their culture by putting those dated Christian values over it. You can’t go one day without seeing religious propaganda. (Excellent production and editing skills tho)
I too love Japan but you dont know the dark history about Japan, they wiped out their own people in genocide for them following the God they wanted to, (Jesus) they wiped out the missionaries killing everyone christian they could find with "stepping plates" I think it was in the tokugawa or edo period. They crucified christians tortured people for months pouring boiling water on them, they invaded russia and china, they attacked America. They have been some of the cruelest people on earth cutting marines penises off in ww2 and sticking their own penises in marines mouths. They still have not apologised for the genocides to their own people and the chinese. I love the animation of Japan, I love the food, I love the game shows, I love the language and I was planning on moving their and teaching english as a second language. Also samurai and Jujitsu and pride fighting championships and honda and yamaha are awesome companies They are not innocent and have committed egregious evil like all nations, they have their history of killing babies and infanticide like almost all past nations and most nations today in the genocide of abortion. Not only that they teamed up with the nazies. Just thought I would enlighten you.
The Japanese people are not dogmatic atheists as some Westerners are, I have never experienced that among them at all. They are a beautiful people and are open-minded to different thought. They are wary of religion because of what they historically have seen with religious wars. As we can see in today’s world, religion is associated with violence and killing. It has been associated with dangerous cults and fanaticism. This wariness goes back a very long time in the Japanese psyche because it is a culture that puts supreme emphasis on cultural unity and stability. Indeed beneath the secular modern culture of Japan, the inner fabric of the culture is very religious. It is so deeply intertwined with their culture that many do not realize they are religious simply because they may be lay people and not Shinto/Buddhist clergy. Japanese people are very spiritual and I would not ever equate the majority of them to the evangelical New Atheists we have in the West.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, foolish pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
The biggest difference between Christianity and Japanese culture for me is summed up when we have a meal. In Japan, we say "itadakimasu" - "we appreciate the animal that died so I may live". Christianity says "dear god, thanks for the food" - "god, thank you for putting the animals here on earth for my benefit. Christianity is all about me me me, I'm so special, all the animals here are for ME. Japan realizes we're nothing special. We're just one of many animals on the planet. We must eat to survive, and we thank the other that we're sacrificing so we may live another day. Thanking Jesus with little care for the animal that actually is dead... just wrong. Its just like you can murder and rape a girl, but you just tell Jesus you love him and repent and voila, you got your pass to heaven. Never mind how that girl feels. Even if Christianity were true, I hate that self-centered I'm so special way of looking at oneself. I'm not religious, but if I had to choose one to live by, it'd be Buddhism or Shinto.
As a Japanese Christian , I really appreciate you for making this well analyzed and valuable video .
Although there are a lot of needs like evangelists , churches , other stuffs in Japan, even if you all are not in Japan, you all can tell the Gospel to Japanese being in your countries.
Japanese people are more open-minded when they go abroad than in Japan, so it is easier for them to accept the gospel.
I hope God will use you guys.
This is a much better approach that will be much more effective. I think the Japanese people need genuine Japanese native Christians to help lead them to Christ in a gentle honest manner.
@@sirmrs6952 A vast majority of Japanese will never go abroad, and never meet a Christian abroad. So it is best to try to witness to them in Japan even if it is hard. Japanese churches compromised before WW2. They submitted themselves to the evil government and were never the same. They were never the same after that. They valued harmony over truth. To this day Japanese churches are weak on evangelism and are barely holding together. The ones that go against the culture and actually do evangelism are prospering, but they are in the minority.
@@DudeNamedDuncan Last time Japanese Christians united was before WW2. They united to compromise big time by cooperating with the evil government. That was a big scar for them and they were never the same after that. Japanese Christians have a history of compromise, not standing up for truth, because in Japanese culture harmony is a greater value than truth. The main issue is Japanese Christians do not evangelize well or at all.
@@John3.36 I am half-Japanese and live in Edmonton, Alberta. Since the mid-1970's Japanese tourists have been coming to the Canadian Rockies. Whenever I went to Banff and Jasper National Parks I would take Japanese language scriptures and leave them in the book section of Youth Hostels. It is not a perfect solution but I do what I can.
@@DudeNamedDuncan Japanese Christians compromised together before WW2. They were never the same after that. Japanese Christianity has always been weak in that it conforms to the culture for harmony rather than truth to reach the masses.
18 minutes of high film editing, insanely educational content that makes us think and look towards Christ? COUNT ME IN!!!
Theravada is the real Buddhism. It is better than any other religion, including Mahayana Buddhism because some Indian scammers made Mahayana Buddhism to reduce the power of Theravada teachings.
It’s really amazing. God bless them for this
frfr
Fr I'm in
Buddhist science is explained in Abhi Dhamma Pitaka, and I verified it Mathematically.
As a missionary who’s been serving in Japan for the last 10 years, I deeply appreciate this video
You should stay in your country.
As much as I would like to to preserve people’s privacy I won’t be doing that on here. I appreciate the interest though.
Also thanks for your opinion Niam! Sad to hear you think borders should be closed and immigrants should stay in their country of birth. Personally as the first generation son of an immigrant myself I believe diversity and open mindedness elevate all of us.
@@JohnnieBailey it's like me saying I should go to Europe and spread Islam or Buddhism because they believe in a false belief. Why do you people think you can intrude on another culture?
@@niamtxiv I don’t see anything wrong with Buddhist or Islamic missionaries going to Europe and proselytizing their beliefs.
In the end, people make their own choices on what they believe. Offering more options to them doesn’t take away from them or their culture. Do you not believe in freedom of religion?
Christianity has a 500 year history in Japan. Japanese Christians are Japanese and also a religious minority. Surely they are not less Japanese because of their religion? Just as an Italian Muslim is just as Italian as a Catholic one for example.
All around a very strange take. Unless you don’t support religious freedom and cultural diversity
@@niamtxiv culture and religion is connected. If Japan became a Christian country then it will become like any country in Europe.
It really clicked for me when you said that although faith in Buddhism/Shinto isn't taken seriously in the modern day, it's important because it is seen as a facet of the Japanese identity, and as a Christian living in Japan, I believe what they really worship now is being Japanese. Since Japanese culture values conforming to the norm, there is a sort of set way to "be Japanese". This is why half-Japanese children can face problems being accepted, even though they may grow up in Japan. I've even heard some Japanese people who go abroad for a while and come back are told they're "not Japanese anymore" by friends. For Japanese people to be open to Christianity they absolutely need to be shown the love of Christ, but they also need to be willing to give up the security their identity as "Japanese" brings (in the cultural sense), and embrace a new identity in Christ. Cultures are beautiful and should be celebrated (Rev. 7:9), but conforming to culture can also be an idol.
Satan is masterful at setting up anti-Christian cultures.
But Jesus is more masterful at tearing down strongholds!
That's such an interesting way to put it! I have been learning a lot about Japan in the past few years, ever since God has put a burden on my heart for Japan. It was always obvious that parts of the culture seemed to be a barrier to christianity, but I never realised that the simple fact of "being Japanese" could be as much as an idol for them. I am often thinking about how to show them that christianity does not have to be at odds with their identity as Japanese (which is still pertinent I think), but if they look at this identity and at all the cultural artifacts linked to it as an idol, they will have to let that go to come to Christ. It would be crucial to identify this as we reach out to Japanese people.
And some of my Christian Japanese friends told me that they are not "real" Japanese... I guess that relates to what you said. There is a very specific way to be Japanese, that you have to follow even if you are ethnically Japanese.
I'll give a perspective about this: Scriptures in the new testament *does* speak about culture and identity. It's interesting because in the NT we see Jewish people who worship being Jewish and all of their national and religious identity instead of the Lord God of Israel and his Messiah, Jesus.
In fact, the Jews are blind to Christ because of that, and only the Spirit can light their hearts so they may see the glory of God in Christ Jesus (2 Co 4:6).
Japanese people need to see the glory of God in Christ, they need to listen to the gospel. And so they might see that in Christ we receive a new live, new identity, we become people of God, we are loved, justified, forgiven. Because in Christ:
"[...] you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)
Wow, very interesting perspective. Thanks for sharing.
I have to say, the gentleman sharing about how it took 50 years for someone to get saved but they did really encouraged me for people I’ve been praying over for 15 years. I’m grateful for hearing it tonight.
you are sick to think that someone has to be saved.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord"
@@cyb-mbait used to be believable
I heard elders say There might be delay but God answers.
My family of 6 will be moving this year as missionaries to Japan.
We believe God has great things for Japan.
Wonderful!!
I love how my prior comment was deleted.
What kid grabbed your computer and typed a random word?@@pepper1614
HalleluYah
Godspeed, Brother.
Ps 18.30
As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
The editing on this channel should be what other christian channels aspire to be. Very well produced, easy to watch, you have set an amazing standard. I came from part 1 and watched the Iran Playlist...top tier content.
After reading Silence, Japanese Christianity has become a fascination for me, love this content! The storytelling and editing are awesome, thanks for sharing this.
I read it too.
Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are monotheistic religions that believe in one absolute God. On the other hand, Japanese Shinto is a polytheistic religion that enshrines many gods called Yaoyorozu no kami. From a Japanese perspective, Jesus Christ, Yahweh, and Allah are all considered to be one of many gods. Monotheistic religions such as Christianity required that all Japanese people change to believing in one God. In Japan, many people feel uncomfortable with this difference. Therefore, it is not very popular in Japan. Buddhism, which did not do so, became familiar to Japan. ⛩ Shinto is a ``faith'' without a founder.
Technically, the Abrahamic faiths didn't originally believe there was one absolute God, that's a later interpretation. Judaism was originally monolatristic, the First Commandment tells you that Yahweh is the God of the people who were brought out of slavery, that's not God of the universe, but God of the Jews, and it doesn't imply he's the only one. You can only interpret it that way if you view it monotheistically. The Second Commandment tells them not to bring other Gods before Yahweh. That's a commandment of exclusion, that you only worship Yahweh exclusively, not that all the other Gods are fake.
Christianity and Judaism has always been monotheistic. The God of the Jews is the same God of the universe. He chose the Jews as his people for no reason other than that He set His love on them.
Yes all other gods are fake because they cannot save and they did not create the universe. That is why no other religion can take you to God because none except Christianity answers the very needed problem of just punishment by a holy God and an eternal righteous relationship with him. You will never find an atonement and perpetual righteousness in any other religion or religious leader except Christ who is truly God.
@@addjoaprekobaah5914 "Christianity and Judaism has always been monotheistic." You should do a little more reading on the history of Judaism and whether or not they were always monotheistic
@@addjoaprekobaah5914 So every religion has its own creation myth, which is why Yahweh isn't relevant to most people in the world, even in ancient times. That isn't to say that Yahweh and Jesus aren't real or that they are evil, i believe they're righteous too. Jesus said that the only way to the Father is through him, he's not lying. But Yahweh's kingdom is just one destination in Heaven, there are many Gods and many destinations and paradises. You can't be saved by Yahweh if you don't follow him, that's true, but you can be saved by other gods.
Even though I'm from a completely different culture, when she started crying and explaining that even though she's been rejected by people and it's been hard, she can't stop believing in Jesus because He loves her and saved her, I knew EXACTLY what she was feeling and EXACTLY what she meant. This is the beauty of the gospel, the beauty of Christ. That love that knows no bounds, that love that heals you through and through, that redemptive love that changes everything. I pray for Japan and I pray for all brothers and sisters over there to stay strong and steadfast in the faith always. God loves you and there's a community of believers all over the world who love you ✝️❤️
Amen amenn
It would be very hard to have so few Christians to talk to and relate to. It makes me grateful I don't have that in Canada. I feel that frustration w/ the odd friend who can't relate to me as a Christian, but they at least don't stop me from talking about it. That would be so hard.
She has a brother in Brazil sharing tears with her! If your reading this, stay strong sister, your cross is heavy, but you are not alone!
Japanese people will only reject you if you keep pushing your beliefs onto them.
I know many Japanese who are friends with Christians, but once they get all preachy the Japanese will tell them to chill out.
Imagine me only ever bringing to a conversation how everyone without Christ is going to hell. Nothing say, “let’s be friends” than hellfire…
> the beauty of Christ. That love that knows no bounds,
... except merely not believing in Christ will get you thrown into a pit of fire for all eternity.
Nope, sorry, don't need any of that.
I as a father, will love my children even if they don't reciprocate my love. My kids not loving me is a ME problem, not a THEM problem. I have failed as a father.
God, on the other hand. People not loving God is a THEM problem, which will end up with the them being tortured forever.
God is a narcissistic and insecure, needing adulation and worship. Why? If he were a parent, he'd be a sh*tty one.
I’m a christian but shinto and buddhism have their own beauty and truth. No need to erase them completely
Yesterday, I watched a documentary called Christianity in Japan - A Full History, from the channel, @Easy Seikai. It went into more detail about the beliefs and history of Japan, as well as the horrific tortures suffered there by Christians during times of persecution. Such a fascinating history. I have always heard it's such a difficult place to reach for the gospel. This was so encouraging. I especially loved the interview with the Japanese pastor! What a blessing to have had such a heritage. And I just wanted to hug those dear young sisters.
About to watch this now. Looks good thanks! I actually starting watching the movie silence directed by: Martin Scorsese.. catholic movie but still awesome indeed of great endurance in the faith
I found it fascinating. And I truly don't know how people survive some of these horrors. I pray I am never in such a situation. I know how weak I am! @@noguile2737
In deed, Christians have been in Japan for nearly 500 years, but most of them were killed off in the late 1590s. It took Christians another 300+ years to reach a quarter of a million, and then the USA bomber Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the two cities in Japan with the most Chritians. So yea, Christians killing Christians... if you can call the Mason presdient a Christian... which now I think one cannot. Masons are not Christian, they are anti-Chritstian, Hence the reason he chose Nagasaki and Hiroshimas to be the bomb drop targets. In a matter of seconds the FreeMasonic president eradicated almost all Christians in Japan.
@@noguile2737 is it bad that it's a Catholic movie?
No. It not too theological and therefore all Christian can come together just to see a good faith based movie. Watch it, and lets talk about the ending 😔@@cristinamz2137
Japanese people celebrate births at Shinto shrines, many of them have their weddings in Christian churches, and funerals in Buddhist temples.
It is said that many Japanese people are non-religious.
Japanese people believe that gods are everywhere, and Jesus Christ and Allah are just one example. They believe that gods exist in mountains, the sea, the sun, the moon, trees, the wind, dogs, houses, and toilets. That is why they cherish and clean everything.
These teachings are Shinto.
Japanese people are Shinto believers without even realizing it. Shinto has no restrictions whatsoever, but there are shrines in every region throughout Japan, and they serve as playgrounds for local children.
Okay pagan polytheistic larpers
@@cudanmang_theog ok imaginary sky friend larper
Can a Shintoist place curses on people?
@@bruce7773 if u disrespect the place, maybe
That’s their culture
"Being a Christian is seen as being non-Japanese"
A quote from a Christian missionary friend of 32 years in Japan told me that while we ate our Udon in Tokyo 😅
yea, yea....
As someone who’s part Japanese and a Christian, I loved this. Being Japanese through my mom’s side, she and I would often talk about how Japan’s is a very cold, spiritually-dead culture where loving or otherwise showing any emotion other than anger just aren’t things you do; ultra repressed. Add to that high stress because of unnecessarily brutal societal expectations and related suicides, low birth rates, etc., the Japanese people really, really need Jesus. I’ve always found the situation very sad. But it’s so heartening to see that slowly but surely, the gospel is continuing to spread there.
On a personal note, when I was a kid, my grandma (full Japanese) would never embrace us grandkids or say she loved us, but as time’s gone on and she’s slowly become more open to the idea of Jesus, she’s simultaneously become much more open emotionally. She’s 90 now and she’s still not quite there yet, but I know that God will ultimately save her and the rest of my yet unsaved family.
Thank you for making this video. Truly top-notch.
It's the same story with South Korea although I'd say they are even slightly worse.
China seems to be having quite a Christian revival. There is persecution there for Christians and the church is underground from what I hear. Persecution seems to paradoxically make the church grow. I dont' think there is persecution of Christians in Japan, just a great indifference, from what I can tell.
That's what I see underneath the surface all the time, a society that's aimlessly existing. I see in the bitterness in the undertide
makes me what to go there to become a missionary
What? You actually care about your mother and grandmother? You must be an apostate . . .
*Matthew 10:34-35* “Do NOT suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
*Matthew 10:37* “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
*Luke 14:26* “If anyone comes to me and does not *hate* their father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even their own life - such a person cannot be my disciple."
@@sisigs4820 But they can't top "Suicide Alley": Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Colorado.
This is so convicting, to think of the privilege I have as a Christian in my home country brings sobriety to how I live for God. Thanks for sharing this, I pray that The Lord will remember Japan and that He'll raise workers to labor with Him in for His Glory.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
I am Japanese and a casual follower of Shinto and Buddhism, have always been fascinated by the cultures of the West and the Middle East since my childhood.
Now I have read too much about how Jews, Christians, Muslims and various sects among them did to each other, and feel like I'm not going to dive into the chaos and take side myself.
I am American and interested in Buddhism and Shinto and try to integrate into my daily life when I can. It can be difficult when you live outside of Japan or in a place that doesn't have a significant Japanese diaspora. In Hawaii, there exist Shinto shrines dedicated to both Japanese and local Hawaiian gods.
I think you mean to say what the various sects of groups were doing to each other in the 00s-1960s
Vikings did the same
You don't have to take sides. But consider what you have read (since you claim to read too much about those religions) and ask yourself this. If Christians did terrible things in certain points of history, were they doing it because they were following Christ's teachings OR were they doing it because they were NOT being faithful to Christ's teachings (and doing so for other agendas)? You will find the answer. And presuming that you know your own people's history, it's not like Shinto and Buddhism co-existed peacefully all the time as well. (e.g. see 廃仏毀釈 and 神仏分離 and Kokugaku and so on)
Judaism, Christianity, Submission are Semitic. For true Western thoughts and philosophy, study Solon, Cleisthenes, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Zeno, Cicero, Marcus Aurelius, Giordano Bruno, Francis Bacon, Galileo Galilei, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Voltaire, Denis Diderot, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Montesquieu, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, Ethan Allen, Charles Darwin, Nikola Tesla . . . (some have certain parallels with Buddhism).
@@JamieBar Shintoism may be great for the environment, but horrible for society (s......., brutal warfare), like the Submission religion. Polynesians practiced human sacrifice, and k........ their enemies to gain their _mana._ Buddhism, Taoism, Stoicism are a better way to go.
This editing work, cinematography, and script writing is amazing for getting its point across. Keep up the good work, this is absolutely stunning to see from such a small creator.
I'm not a Japanese but I've been deep into Japanese culture for many years, I was fascinated by Buddhism and Shinto and did a lot of research for a story that I write (you may call it a medieval japanese fantasy dealing with spiritual questions) and you know what, I failed to find a "happy ending" resolution in the oriental teachings. I truly love and respect those cultures, yet in the end I had to invite into my story the One Lord who is Love and hope for all, the Creator that Buddha refused to believe in. Letting go of everything including love and attachments in order to find liberation from sufferings is indeed a very sad way. And it happened not just in my story but in my real life as well. God let me meet him after such a roundabout, having been born in a Christian country (though atheistic at that time), baptised in early childhood, I've been seeking truth everywhere, in different cultures and beliefs, except where it has always been - right under my nose.
Amen, God is so good! 🙌🏼
Power and perfection are overrated. I think you were right to choose happiness, love and freedom instead.
curious isn't it? how he works
Yes, a sad way. This is far better: *Matthew 10:34-35* “Do NOT suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
*Matthew 10:37* “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
*Luke 14:26* “If anyone comes to me and does not *hate* their father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even their own life - such a person cannot be my disciple."
@@JamieBar Choices? Freedom? Sounds like Orwell's Doublespeak, Doublethink and cognitive dissonance:
*1-Peter 2:18* _“Slaves,_ in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.”
*Ephesians 6:5-7* _"Slaves,_ obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as *slaves* of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.”
*Romans 1:1* "Paul, a _bondservant_ of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God."
*Romans 6:16* “Surely you know that you become the *slaves* of whatever you give yourselves to. Anything or anyone you follow will be your _master.”_
*1 Timothy 2:1-3* “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for *KINGS* and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.”
there is a famous saying about Japan which is: "you born a Shinto, you marry as Christian, and you die as Buddhist", which describe the place such ceremonies take place (Shinto shrine for newborn ceremony, church for marriage ceremony, and Buddhist shrine for funeral ceremony, at least sort of). I think most Japanese view religions culturally (like you have said) and aesthetically (most Japanese are fond of (and some of them even have embraced) Christian aesthetics and themes even to their creative works), not spiritually like others view religions. I think one way (not necessarily the only way) to bring Japan(ese) to accept the Gospel is to convince them the significance of religion to their life and how Christ is the best way of all
Maybe not religion itself, but the faith in general.
There is also probably the overwork culture, which is definitely spiritual in nature. If Satan cannot shake your faith once you know the Gospel, his minions will make you busy so you dont even have time to think about your spiritual salvation.
In the past i wouldve thought its just a cultural thing, but even the most "hustle" cultured country America barely competes with Japan crazy work culture (even if its mostly just staying at office doing no actual work). It certainly have demonic influence in nature.
I left a comment, youtube have been deleting my comment lately so lmk if it do that again...
@@Crustee0Just this one bro :(
@@JohnCephas aw shucks. I was commenting on how a wise Christian said that if Satan cant turn you away from God, we will be made busy. CS Lewis or maybe someone else xD.
Basically whats happening in Japan ig. They dont even have time for themselves, and only attend "tradition" events like new year etc. And imagine the tradition being etched as identity, that would make it so hard to try and find God, or even think about questions that lead to search for God (life purpose, etcetc)
I've been living here in Japan now for 12yrs, and while the narrow path to following God is a lonely journey, giving up friends/family who choose not to walk alongside you, it's God who will be the lamp to your feet and light unto your path to others who unite with you in Jesus name.
Hey, it's all part of the contract, you know, _family values?_ *Matthew 10:34-35* “Do NOT suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
*Matthew 10:37* “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
*Luke 14:26* “If anyone comes to me and does not *hate* their father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even their own life - such a person cannot be my disciple."
"giving up friend/family who choose not to walk with alongside you" that makes your religion sound like a CULT.
I am a missionary in Osaka and I really appreciate your work. I think you reached to the roots of the biggest obstacle to receive the Gospel here.
I'm currently in Osaka and have seen you during Sunday's Mass. As a migrant from Vietnam who's just arrived in Osaka, I really admired Missionaries for their efforts, countless of them shedded their blood and lives to built the foundation for Vietnam's Catholic Church to flourish as it is today. In that spirit, please have faith and do the same for Japan's Christianity, so that one day people here will come to live as brothers and sisters in God. Thank you. ( We always pray for Japan's Christians during Masses in Vietnam in memory of Father Francis Xavier and the Martyrdom of Japan)
@@vuanh75 thanks for your message. I admire the Vietnamese catholics. I don’t know how it was the evangelization of Vietnam, but they made a very good job. Your love for the Sunday mass and the sacrament of reconciliation is a sign of this treasure.
If you want to talk more just let me know who you are on a Sunday mass.
Kind regards.
@@MisionJaponMany of the missionaries who were expelled from Japan during sakoku would later go to evangelize in Vietnam
I think you guys should learn more about Buddhism instead.
@@paulwu1301 I don’t think the question is “learn about Buddhism or learn about Christianism”. I think the question is “learn about Buddhism and Christianism”. And I can assure you I am trying to understand not only Buddhism but also Shintoism. If I want to announce Jesuschrist to Japanese people, for sure I should know both.
Very moving. I was so pleased that one of the young women interviewed became a Christian in NZ, my country and even more so because of the love the oeople shared with each other and with her.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
My thanks as a missionary Japan. This was excellently made.
Praise God! Praying for your ministry there.
Why Japan? What about the people of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, West Virginia, Arkansas, with all their obesity, diabetes, depression, opioid add______ . . . Or Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesian, Malaysia with all their t______m and "honor k_____s? Are you racist or just plain chicken?
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
I’m not japanese, nor am I christian. I don’t know why i got recommended this.
God uses many ways to reach people for Christ. Jesus wants you for heaven too! I encourage you to look into the Bible. Jesus died for your chance for heaven, and now that He is risen, He is waiting for you to accept His sacrifice so you may join HIm in heaven at your death.
Japanese culture is admired throughout the world as the most polite and respectful of all cultures. The Japanese character is based on harmony and compassion, taught exclusively by the saints of Yamato Buddhism and the philosophers of Shinto. Pagans and foolish foreigners cannot learn Yamato spirit. Japan is only for Samurai Buddhism & Shinto. 🇯🇵
As someone who's lived in Japan for 25 years, I can affirm that you get a lot right in this video, but there are two big things you leave out. First, ancestors are one very big reason why Japan will be the last country on Earth to become Christian. Sixteenth-century missionaries encountered the same problem, when Japanese tearfully asked them: "What about our ancestors? Are they damned?" If there's one thing that virtually all Japanese believe in, it's respect for and veneration of one's ancestors. For that reason alone, any religion that says you can't get to heaven without being baptized into another faith doesn't even get to first base. Second, as someone who's lived in Japan for a long time, I can attest that most Japanese are better people than most Christians around the world. They're more honest, more courteous, more helpful and much less violent than people in other countries. If you're going to evangelize the Japanese, you need to make sure that the evangelists are at least as virtuous as the people they're sent to preach to - otherwise it reflects badly on your faith. By the way, I'm a Christian.
But you see... I am getting in hot waters but I want to say this... Protestants such as Calvinists have very strict "rules" for what entry into Heaven means, they even go for predetermination of salvation & damnation. American Christians have a big emphasis on "being saved" by baptism & faith in Jesus' name because they emphasize a few very important lines from the Scripture (namely that eternal life is giving through the rebirth of the Holy Baptism and that no one can come through The Father except through His Son, Jesus Christ), but omit plenty of other lines (briefly that some worship to Whom they know, but some still worship to Whom they do not yet know, that what is impossible for man is possible for God, that saying "Lord, Lord" won't get you into the Eternal Feast, i.e being nominally Christian is not enough, not even saying you believe in the Name etc).
This leaves us with the understanding of Salvation that Western Christians have (that I've noticed the Pastor in the video also has), which is unlike that of Eastern Christians. (Catholics are actually somewhere in the middle with their dogma of Purgatory but that's imo wrong for many reasons)
An Orthodox Christian would say that if you want any chance for actual Salvation from Christ to your ancestors, you yourself NEED to get baptized. That Salvation is not an individualistic thing and that Jesus already harrowed hell once. That The Father is interested in the heart and that it is Christians that bear the responsibility of their faith, not those that haven't yet heard the Gospel (Parable of the Minas & Parable of the Talents, also Luke 12:48).
The way Orthodox Christians view Salvation is completely different, it is mystical, it is not legalistic, it is also not easy (Protestants insist of salvation by faith alone, Orthodox insist on faith proven by acts, I'd say the Orthodox set themselves up for a more difficult job). We need to keep in mind that hell was harrowed once. If there's any hope for pagan ancestors, that hope is in Christ! THAT is the message for people holding their loved deceased ones dearly.
Ancestors are not necessarily damned. Harrowing of Hell has been part of Christian teaching since the beginning. Read up on it.
@@DexiPawnzpretty much what I was thinking. Also Orthodox Christianity encourages us to pray for the souls of the departed.
Your answer is simple - Ask those Japanese folks if their ancestors followed their conscience or not. Those who did not, and died guilty and ashamed of their lives for which they never made any penance for, were likely dammed. Those who did, rose with Christ. Simple.
Baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation, but if you had no chance, at all, for it, then simply following your conscience was enough.
(This is a Catholic speaking, btw.)
Very good, honest points.
Looks like this is a job for Catholics.
I love the world's diversity of cultures and ways of seeing the world. Japan is one of my favorites. So it actually angers me to see that people, regardless of good intentions, seek to paint other cultures over with their monotheistic brushes or worse; take over completely, like an invasive species. This has happened enough throughout history. The Japanese culture has problems and wounds, but all cultures do. We all suffer and heal. The planet we all live on is itself fractured and bleeding; that makes it dynamic and living. No evangelical has to come and patch it up.
Japan with its unique culture will stay in touch with itself. It already is a very blessed country. Peace.
There is one way to God. It's Christ, that's it. He so graciously provided a way to be saved. The question isn't "why is there only one way of salvation" but rather "why is there any way of salvation"? "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord"
@Slangh Thank you for pointing this out. I agree with you my friend.
Suicide is the leading cause of death in Japanese men between the ages of 20-44 and Japanese women between the ages of 15-34. Does that sound blessed? Deep down, underneath the surface of culture, there is a desperation within their souls. Whether this is loneliness, depression, or other mental illness, it is a big issue in Japan. The aesthetic and atmosphere of Japan’s history and spirituality is indeed beautiful, but it is not living. The temples and idols made of wood offer nothing. There is only one living God who can offer remedy for the illness within the soul of any human, Japanese, Italian, Burmese, Saudi, for anyone. But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
Praying for our brothers and sisters in Japan, keep on the faith and will be praying for Jesus to be known in Japan. May God bless you more! From your brother here in the Philippines.
Mabuhay! My wife and I are in Apayao. One of our churches in Davao City will soon be sending a missionary to Japan. She will go as an English teacher.
They know who he is and they don’t want to believe in somebody who claims to be a universal god but only spent his life in the Roman province of Palestine and never cared to travel the world to spread his message
Kol-j, tell us more of your hilarious mumblings! And please don't ever study any topics you weigh in on. You might cease to be so laughable!
@@FRN2013this is not real sprituality it is just race of Christian and Muslim. We all know how religious and spiritual is west is ! When some one new come under Christian fold they get spiritual feelings and connection but after 20- 30 years all there spritual fades away and they become scientific. But Japan/ Buddhism is opp of these, that they know real spirituality and have better connect with supreme and divine God 🙏 . Namo Budhaye 🧡🙏
SteveBreaks, you have no idea what Christianity is. But that's OK. Most people don't.
Real Christianity is death to your old sinful life, and resurrection into life with Jesus, the risen Savior and Lord.
Thank you so much! We are heading to Japan soon for missions and this is so encouraging! I will share it with all of our supporters! May the Lord of the harvest send out laborers into His field!
I will pray for your mission! 🙏 If I may ask, what denomination are you guys?
Also, did you know that Chrono Trigger has some Christian imagery in it? I couldn’t help but make the connection because of your pfp and the context.
just leave them be dude you would probably discourage them to join because you missionaries keep coming
@@Thai_countryball facts
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
Wow... As an American who's lived in Japan nearly all my life, I've had no idea that these 2 religions co-exist.
About a week ago I was praying in tongues about Japan and its religion, and this random word jumped out at me: "shokyoubyouki." (Kanji: 諸教病気) So I went to Google Translate, and turns out it means "various religions disease". (I'm pretty certain this isn't a common word/phrase in Japanese, but rather a combination of words) Anyway, this was such a cool confirmation, and I am ready to see God break these strongholds of religion down!
That’s awesome
If these religions have been existing for thousands of years and the Shinto one is a lot older than Christianity, you think he will strike them down?
I don't understand how someone lives anywhere for most of their life and doesn't arrive at a general understanding of the religious atmosphere.
This shows the exact disrespectfulness of religious foreigners who really care nothing about local culture. You live in Japan for your life and you've never heard 神仏習合?
Thank you so much for these videos. To see the hearts of these two girls and the pastors for the Japanese people is really touching. I keep crying to all these videos!
I'm praying for the people of Japan and for the Lord to do a mighty work in their hearts.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
People all over the world praise Japan for its cleanliness and politeness. We must protect Japan's unparalleled culture, civilization and traditions! Samurai mandated that every Japanese must follow Samurai Buddhism & Shinto -no other cultures allowed!
What lovely people in the interviews. They expressed themselves so beautifully. 🩵
As a girl I read a lot of manga and watched anime. As a Christian that cares deeply about the gospel, I also knew Japan has less than 1% of it's population as believers and I knew according to surveys people kind of said they had no religion. But from all the media I was consuming I could see that the people did partake in loads of religious traditions-- especially Shinto ones. I was always so confused about how a culture could simultaneously be so religious and yet not at all. Part of it had to do with the weird post WWII declaration that worshipping the emperor was then illegal, but I was just surprised that I could never find an article, research, or video to do a deep dive on the why. This is the closest explanation I've seen so far.
This is also a good topic of exploring the difference between religion, faith and belief
yeah for me too, confused as heck
I think you will find your own Christian beliefs to be highly bound up in your cultural assumptions and world view as well. Your sense of self, your sense of time, your sense of having the freedom to direct your own affairs, your sense of fairness, your sense of suffering, all of these are most likely Western in form, and each profoundly one affects your theology and your faith.
That's not only an Asian thing but a very East Asian (China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam) thing. They practice their traditional religion mostly as a part of their culture, not as a part of religion.
If you read a lot of manga, you must've noticed "itadakimasu" - what we say before a meal.
This one word to me is the biggest difference between Shinto + Japanese world view/culture and the Christian worldview - and why most Japanese simply can't accept the Christian worldview.
As a Japanese, we're ingrained from a young age to appreciate everything around us, and treat everything as if it has a soul. Our food we eat, we recognize as a living thing, and we believe we're not special creations. That's why when we eat, we thank the food and recognize its sacrifice so that we may live.
The Christian worldview is humans as special creation. Christians thank God for providing the food. To us, this doesn't feel right. Christians put humans at the top, and all other animals are there for human benefit. No acknowledgement of the sacrifice of the animal, but thanking God for giving humans the gift of the animal.
I just can't see myself as the center of the world like that. I'd rather be on the same level as the bugs, the trees, the cow, the whale than feel like this world and everything in it is here for my benefit.
As often said, we Japanese celebrate Christmas, listen to the temple bells on New Year's Eve, and visit shrines for Hatsumode in the New Year. Weddings follow Western Christian customs, while funerals are conducted in Buddhist tradition. For many non-religious Japanese, including myself, these various religious rituals serve more as excuses for socializing or as moments to pause economic activities and reflect on oneself, rather than expressions of belief. Renowned Japanese psychologist pointed out Japan's unique position as neither a paternalistic society like the West nor a maternalistic one like some Asian cultures, but rather a country where the center is empty. While Japanese people are generally open to embracing foreign religions and cultures, they do not wish to be fully dominated by them. Emperor, as a symbol, exists, yet nobody perceives them as a ruler. The throne must always remain vacant, as it is a place for an existence beyond human comprehension. I share a similar impression.
bro protect your culture, dont fall for christianity
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
I find similar difficulties as a Buddhist in the West. It has taken years of practice to break away from my Christian past and become more culturally Buddhist. I am so grateful to have been a part of a growing community after having converted solely on my own.
what kind of buddhist are you?
@@Arjunarjunskiy Theravada.
@@kitiowa why not zen?
@@Arjunarjunskiy Zen is rather syncretic. It borrows a lot from Taoism. Theravada more closely related to the earliest forms/practice of Buddhism. I have great respect for the Mahayana streams of Buddhism but certainly prefer Theravada.
@@Arjunarjunskiy I categorize Buddhism differently than most. Theravada, Vajrayana/Tibetan, Zen/Cha'an, and "general" Mahayana. I could almost make a point in saying Zen isn't really Mahayana. It comes back in some ways to so called "Hinayana". In Zen one is expected to attain enlightenment through one's own effort as in Theravada. The grace of and devotion to Bodhisatvas isn't much of a thing in Zen and that rather defines Mahayana.
To be honest i find it kind of disrespectful to try to convert other people into your religion.
Keep it to yourself.
Imagine someone came to you and told you your religion is wrong and you need to become Islam/Atheist/Whatever.
Preachers should be banned from public areas, especially when they tell me i will go to hell/Dschahannam/Naraka/Hades Underworld or whatever.
When Ami-san said that Japanese just don't know how to love each other, something inside me just broke. It seems to be normal these days to notice people get misled by pop-culture about true values in life but it is a different thing when it is somewhat of a national idea. I pray for my brothers and sisters who spread the Word in Japan. You do a great job and you are blessed in so many ways. God help you, thanks for being there. It just motivates me so much to give more for people here where I live. Truly there is so much lost to be found still
yeah, because their so conscious about effecting others that they hide their feelings inside.
Sorry, but Ami-san is full of shi*.
I'm Japanese-American, atheist but culturally Buddhist/Shinto.
Any religion that tells you you are to love Jesus or God more than your family is the one who knows nothing about love.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
Thanks for making this series. As someone interested in working in Japan, its very informative.
Japan is known in the world for having the most respectful and polite citizens, one friend shared that this fact could also be a barrier on reaching them since their citizens think that being clean, nice and polite or doing "good" would somehow earn them their version of heaven.
I'm so thankful for your work. These two last episodes about Japan have brought me to tears. Thank you for these documentaries. Japan is truly in a desperate need of Jesus.
Great video! It’s hard to see how little Japanese don’t know Jesus and I pray the number of believers keeps rising ✝️🙏🏻
Traditions in culture are hard to break because they are born with it. Thus, my heart is always in prayers for Japan and the people.
Buddhism and Shinto developed while Japanese culture was still in its genesis. While Christianity came much later I history hence the big historical divide.
Even as an American I can relate to the stumbling block of “love”
Must be very hard for the Japanese to soften theyre hearts
I’ve always loved Japanese culture
I’ve been learning the Japanese language for 2.5 years now. As of now, I plan to attend University in Japan, and seeing this video really shows how much research was done as someone who is interested in Japanese history. They are a people of perseverance and diligence, and I wholeheartedly respect them for that. I pray that Japanese people will realize that following Jesus does not mean abandoning their culture.
it mostly does, you step into a new identity
今までには日本語はうまく通じていますか？
はい。
Abrahmic faiths and preservation of native culture seldom go hand in hand.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, foolish pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
Wow. Thank you for telling their story so that we know how to pray.
Majority of Japan is aethist and not religious. Just as America will celebrate with fireworks on July 4th and New Year’s Eve it’s the same concept with Japan participating in Shinto and Buddhism. It’s like how you said, they don’t identify it as a religion they belong to but part of identity of being Japanese.
So beautifully filmed! You have places the Japanese people in my heart.. Praying for breakthrough for all who minister there! 🙏🏻
This series has been so encouraging. God bless Japan and her people! ❤🇯🇵
I live in London. A few weeks ago I met two nice Japanese ladies seperately and then I shared about the Gospel of Jesus. I am from South Korea. I am always trying to let those who have never heard or never read about our Savior and His love.
Hey sister, how did they respond if its ok for sharing?
Is there more Christianity in S. Korea?
@@saintejeannedarc9460yes, S Korea used to have the biggest Church in terms of the number of members in attendance. They used to be the #1 country in terms of the number of missionaries sent out to the world.
PS I only say "used to" in the two statements because i dont know what the statistics are true so they might still be true in 2024 but i didnt want to give you false information that may not be true today but it was true for some time well into the mid 2010's.
@@davidp1017 That is wonderful to hear that not all of Asia is Godless, or w/out the one true and living God. I've heard China has the fastest growing church as well. It's a persecuted and largely underground church, but that's usually when the church grows the fastest.
good on you sister! >:D
Wow so good! Thanks for sharing this super ultra insightful video! I’m currently reaching out to a Japanese friend I’ve meet a month ago over a conversation app, just being myself and asking a bunch of questions, eventually leading me to share my testimony…she has been more open. Just a few days ago she shared she feels absolutely worthless by the way her family and relatives treats her. I forwarded to her the Japanese version of “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury. She said it is a beautiful song!! She no longer wants feel worthless no more! Praise Jesus!!
She does struggle with anxiety and take medication for it. She is optimistic and wants to improve. Yup yup. She asks a lot of good questions about Jesus. I use the “Bible project” Japanese videos to help explain to her in her language so she can understand. Her testimony is a working progress. Looking forward to see what The Lord does in her life in these coming months. All glory to Jesus!! Hallelujah!
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, foolish pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
To these sisters in Japan, I love you so much. I haven’t met you in person and I likely won’t meet you in this life, but in eternity we will be home together ❤ I feel similar loneliness feeling like I have to keep my faith to myself amongst family. I’m often thinking of how to balance making them feel respected and also doing what’s best for them while they’re in ignorance. It is indeed a very lonely place. It’s like being the only adult in the room, and that you’d like everyone you’re with to get it so you can talk freely. But we must keep being the bigger people, the adults per se, the shepherds to help lead these sheep. Until they themselves are shepherds, we cannot expect the sheep to get us. So they would make us feel lonely. So thankful Jesus is the Shepherd of shepherds whom we can always look to. I love you ladies so much. And this also goes for anyone else in the Family of God: Love you all ❤
Religion is expressed through culture. Christianity, when properly embraced, should purify a culture by embracing the best in it while stripping away the worst of it.
The problem with that is agreeing with Christianity's of definition of "best" and "worst" and whether those definitions suit the culture.
Why would anyone convert to a religion that is declining in its home countries? The entire Christian project is inherently colonial, especially since it merged with and spread via the Roman Empire. If Christians want to go somewhere to spread their religion, it’s only fair that they learn in depth from a master or practitioner of the local religion. Japanese people can find a way to loosen up their own emotional lives and ways of relating with one another to live warmer, more enriching lives and relationships without converting to a different religion and foreign, American Protestant worldview.
@@Xrre343k7a3s I lived in Istanbul and there was an evangelical Christian church in a cool, young, college part of the city. I realized that the attraction for Turkish youth to go there wasn't authentically about Christianity, it was American culture. They just liked being in a space that was governed by a more progressive, wealthier society and was also inviting and supportive. That's the power of American evangelism in other countries- the unimaginable soft power of white America.
Christianity doesn't have a home country. It's gone all over the world. Within 100 years of Jesus's ascension into heaven the Gospel had gone as far as South Asia and even into China. If you want to argue that it has a home region, it's the Middle East, and the church is growing fastest in places like Iran.
Christianity isn’t a world view. It’s a relationship with the God of creation.
christianity is a destroyer of religions, despite being christian I'm going to pray that non christians get to keep their religious beliefs and not be tempted by the sweet words of christians, shintoism is beautiful and it should be preserved
Jesus is not American, and Christianity isn’t American. When God incarnated Jesus was born in the Middle East but God Himself transcends all culture and race because He created all of it. Therefore He is just as applicable to a person living in the heart of a Japanese fishing village as He is to someone baking bread in a french bakery. This is about connection to the source of creation, God, not about religion or country.
Praise God for this comment section also. Its so motivating to see that despute the odds, there are workers. May the Lord continue to be with those there and hopefully i can join as a worker too
Wow, Steven. This was incredibly moving. Can't wait to see the next part. But you managed to beautifully demonstrate how God loves the Japanese people and how important it is for them to know the truth about Jesus.
Depressing. Selling bible based Christianity is disrespectful when there is an sophistocated indigenous spiritual culture. We Christians would do better to try to discover what the Japanese can offer us.
What's depressing is living a superficial, meaningless life. I'm happy to be Japanese & Christian. Knowing that God made me fearfully & wonderfully, & that every problem in life has a purpose.
@@FLUFFCHIRP Me reading this a Serbian Buddhist: 💀💀
I too love Japan but you dont know the dark history about Japan, they wiped out their own people in genocide for them following the God they wanted to, (Jesus) they wiped out the missionaries killing everyone christian they could find with "stepping plates" I think it was in the tokugawa or edo period.
They crucified christians tortured people for months pouring boiling water on them,
they invaded russia and china, they attacked America. They have been some of the cruelest people on earth cutting marines penises off in ww2 and sticking their own penises in marines mouths. They still have not apologised for the genocides to their own people and the chinese.
I love the animation of Japan, I love the food, I love the game shows, I love the language and I was planning on moving their and teaching english as a second language. Also samurai and Jujitsu and pride fighting championships and honda and yamaha are awesome companies
They are not innocent and have committed egregious evil like all nations, they have their history of killing babies and infanticide like almost all past nations and most nations today in the genocide of abortion.
Not only that they teamed up with the nazies.
Just thought I would enlighten you.
Don't indulge in what they offer. Worship Yahweh, love them, invite them to Christ. ❤
Thank you for this video and the beautiful testimonies. Praying for Japan❤
This video passed so quickly! Loved the production, and the testimonies. Really makes me think about the harvest. There are plenty of needs to be met, of harvest to gather, and we need to pray for the Lord to send more workers
So good! We are missionaries in Kyushu planting a house church! This video is incredible! シェアさせていただきます。
Great content as always! I'm super impressed with these videos. I pray they're used to mobilize believers to unreached nations.
I loved this episode. I love Japanese culture and the Japanese people so much and I have such great hope for them coming to Christ in the future.
It would be so wonderful if you were able to interview members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Japan. I want to learn more about their lives and how they are living their lives in Japan. It would be so wonderful to see, as brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.
Bless you for spreading the Good Word.
This popped up in my recommendations. I am not really familiar with the context of Christianity with the non-Catholics so thanks for bringing this up! I saw your other video about the start of Christianity in Japan. I'll watch it later. You may want to research Takayama "Justo" Ukon's life.
This is awesome. I love it. it brought what my professor taught to life! My professor of missions was Ray D. Arnold… he was one of the 1,000 missionaries that General MacArthur called to go to Japan at the conclusion of WWII. One blog notes this about the endeavor: "Perhaps General MacArthur didn’t succeed in bringing Christianity to Japan in the institutional sense. But he did bring mercy, forgiveness and respect for human dignity-the heart of Christianity-and these the Japanese graciously accepted."
This is so inspiring. I need more information as I will hopefully end up in Japan on Missions. Hope to connect with you in the next 5 years
Praise God! What powerful testimonies. I will be praying for them and Japan. My heart breaks for how lonely they must feel, but I rejoice that it's the almighty God who stands with them! ❤️
Thank you God for this great miracle you are doing. Many will disagree, many will mock and jeer at Christians. Many will stand in the sidelines and stay unbelief. However, You are greater than these barriers. Even the most strong headed person can be changed by Jesus's power.
I have always know that Christians exist in Japan, but this is the first time the situation they're facing every day are presented so clearly to me. Thank you Radical for making this video and opening my eyes.
What is belief in Jesus exactly?
@@JamieBar Belief in Jesus means belief in the Good News that He brings i.e. the Gospel. That Jesus is God who came down to earth as human. That He died on the cross and rose back up on the 3rd day to redeem humanity and freely gift all who believes Him the free gift of Salvation ❤️✝️
@@JadeWhite-xf9xq What is the difference the type of belief in Jesus that leads to salvation versus just merely having belief?
@@JamieBar Romans 10:9 NIV
[9] If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
So, if you believe that Jesus is your God and Savior, that's the type of belief that leads to salvation. But if you just believe, let's say that Jesus is just a historical figure or a good man, then that should be categorize as "just belief". Hopefully I'm not getting ur question wrong...
I’m so glad I stumbled upon your channel thanks to a link to the interview with my friend Chad Farmer. I’ve had a heart for Japan for nearly three decades.
Fun Fact - Dhyan Buddhism of India becomes Chan Buddhism in China and Zen Buddhism in Japan with Unique blends of distinct Cultures! 🇮🇳🇨🇳🇯🇵
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
This video brought tears to my eyes. Well done and thank you.
Wow i like documents and struggle to find the ones like this so i really enjoyed watching these please make more!!! So educational and it was filmed well thank you! 😱❤
You guys get me with every video. Love the work you're doing, and God bless you all.
This made me cry 😭 their stories are so beautiful
Also I’m surprised how much of the Japanese dialogue I was able to understand
17:59 18:07 what is said in this segment i didnt understand?
The tone of this video is a bit strange. It'd be like a japanese person going to the US, asking why America rejects the shinto faith, and seeking to spread the good word of Amaterasu.
I guess we're all just more used to proselytizing from monotheistic religions, weird to see how these things get normalized in societies to the point where it's hard for Christians to understand why people who aren't inured in their worldview might find their actions discomforting.
We are answering the call to join God in Japan in early 2025. These videos have been very insightful. It has made us more aware of the importance of covering Japan in prayer.
Thank you. I look forward to the next episode. 🙏
Thanks for your efforts. For over a decade I have asked Japanese christian people why Japan is so resistant to the gospel, while N. Korea and China and other Asian nations have had large numbers of conversions. The latest person I asked was a very wise and dedicated older gentleman whose father was a renowned Christian evangelist as we were involved in disaster relief after the latest earthquake in Takayoka. He basically said he doesn’t know why. This is the reply I have received from many over the years. So don’t be so sure you somehow figured it out. My opinion is it’s complex and multifaceted. Societal pressures, materialism, ancestor dedication, Buddhism, Shinto and other factors obviously are surface reasons, but other cultures have similar stumbling blocks and still have much higher numbers of a Christian converts. So, I believe there is a very strong spiritual blindness over the hearts and minds of the people of Japan by our enemy. Why it has been so strong for so long compared to other places, I don’t know. Pray. I think of Jesus words in Mark 9:28-29. I believe this insight has application to Japan. 28And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” God bless.
@@ChickenFartx It’s all better now.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, foolish pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
Despite being my first time commenting on RUclips, I had to do so hearing this shocking one sentence.
03:02 "That's what makes it so hard for many people to embrace the good news that there's actually only one true God that they can know personally through Jesus."
Religions are ways individuals see the world. One can look at the world from the Bible's teachings, others from their parents' teachings, and some from their own thoughts and values. Everyone has the right to believe and think however they like, so the attitude of this channel is extremely arrogant.
I have nothing against Christianity or any other religion. People should mind their own business, especially if those around you already seem happy.
I'm really moved emotionally by Pami's words. Her love for Yehsua is so good to see
Well documented video. God bless on your mission 🙏🏼
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, foolish pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
I'm here to learn about Japan's relationship with the spiritual and especially with Christ. But I just have to say, man, you do good work. These videos are top tier quality. I appreciate it.
Major eye opener. Leaning in with fasting and prayer. Looking for ways to support
Extremely golden content! We need more Christians like you! ❤❤❤ God bless you❤❤❤
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, foolish pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
we have a favor to ask of foreign tourists coming to Japan.If you are going to enjoy Japanese culture, please have respect for the Japanese religion of Buddhism and Shinto. Because Buddhism and Shinto are a big part of our culture.
Frankly speaking, many of us feel that Japan does not need missionaries. We are not dissatisfied with our religious views because we are not dissatisfied with our own.
Yes. I love living here as it is.
This is not about destroying culture, It is about the ultimate truth.
Jesus is the ultimate truth. And there is joy and culture in Jesus Christ. He allows culture but in a way that glorifies holiness, not demonic strongholds
Naah you don't speak for the whole of Japan. Stop assuming it cos you will never know how many people need God in their life. I have been a buddhist for the past 40 years and doing good deeds and charities until Jesus found me in my most vulnerable moments when praying to idols have nothing. Buddhism is all about nothingness. From nothing going to nothing. How sad. He showed me that He exists and love us all the same and my life was turned around. I never knew life has such treasure that I didn't know off and how i wished i known it sooner. Search the ancient scriptures even in Chinese ancient history have accounts of the one true God. The missionaries are not to convert but to share who this marvellous God is. Only God can touch your heart and you make the choice to accept Him or not in your life.
@@woodkey1 Please do not misunderstand my opinion. I do not deny Christianity. There are many people in Japan who are saved by Buddha and deity just as you are saved by Jesus. I only want you to respect our culture and know the background of our culture.
Thanks for your comment🙂
@@lauraaw.2095so in other words you have no respect and you live in a barn😂
So beautiful 😭 in the US we talk gospel for granted
Crying and praying over Japan, the second largest unreached in the world. May the love of Jesus be made known among the Japanese people, the one who died for every tongue, tribe and nations.
dont cry he was lied japan not unaccept other relagions(islam,chishtiany not banned in japan this is all fake talks
@@AnwarulKarim-er9wo yep he didn’t say it is banned. But the time of Christian martyrs in Japan did happen.
@@AnwarulKarim-er9wo he didn’t say it is banned, but persecution did happen in Japan in the past.
I'm happy that you made a series about this. I was going to be a little ticked if you just made the one mini doc. I've been on several mission trips to Japan, and this is a very nuanced subject.
Hearing a Japanese Christian talk about how lonely she was, being unable to share her faith with her family and friends, really struck a chord with me. I'm American, myself, and I spent many years trapped in an educational system, and a culture in general, where Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular were vilified constantly. I spent years wanting nothing more than to connect with other Catholics, or just Christians in general. It gave me a real appreciation for anyone who believes in Jesus, regardless of what denomination they fall under.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, foolish pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
This was amazing, thanks for sharing. Incredibly high production value and storytelling immersion.
Very interesting explanation of Japan’s religious views. I was expecting you would talk about the first Christian Missionaries and those who died due to their faith. Saint Paul Miki coming into mind. It’d be good to develop a video where the efforts of those missionaries are explained and also tour through the Churches these missionaries laid a foundation to.
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, foolish pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
Thanks for making this dude, it was interesring to listen to. Those Japanese ladies were so insighful and their English is so good, it was really impressive. Japanese Christianity is a veey unappreciated subject so its great to see suchhogly high quality content on the topic. It's interesting that their exposure to Christianity is exclusively Protestant, I wonder of they have any experience with Catholic doctrine
The city the Americans dropped the atomic bomb on was Catholic.
@Ggdivhjkjl Yes I'm aware of the decently large Catholic population in Nagasaki, but I was curious if there was many in other areas. Nagasaki wasnt targeted because of its Catholic population. It was a key piece of the Japanese army, the destruction of which allowed the Allies to make Japan surrender and get peace, saving millions of lives. I'd call a very worthwhile trade
As one who has lived in Japan for over 25 years, I would say that the sense of duty here is very strong and that doing something for someone to whom one owes no duty (such as performing true acts of love) can not only create embarrassment but also cause a nuisance, as these acts are often interpreted as obliging reciprocation. Pray for Japan.
I have heard about this issue. what does overcoming this look like in practice?
Leave the Japanese alone with your death cult. The Japanese have the right idea that when someone doesn't ask for something it becomes a burden when pushed unto them. It can cause the formation of shame in some for not reciprocating in kind. Sometimes the good thing to do is nothing.
Good observation! No one wants to be obliged. I wonder how to meet that objection? Is it enough to emphasize that there are no strings attached to the love shown? Is it to emphasize that God is like a father and so he WANTS to bless them?
@@SongsOfRelief Maybe show them that the 1st Commandment isn't in some way a means of taking away their culture and replacing it with a foreign one...if you can.
@@SongsOfRelief maybe just leave them alone?
The hearts are hardened anywhere, but it’s particularly rocky and brittle here in Japan, I pray the Orthodox Church can thrive in Japan as the times get darker, we are the lamp of Christ in this world
Fellow Orthodox from Asia here. May the Lord bless you and may His Spirit guide all souls in that country to Him and His Holy church.
Japan is where I am called, I visited Sendai in August 2023 for a month and I'm planing to return for 3 months, I've been thinking how I can put videos together about my experience and where God is leading me, tying it in with my gaming content, I have a passion for reaching 'otaku'. Seeing this really made it clear, God has branded Japanese onto my heart.
[Also your production quality is incredible]
Holding these women in my heart in prayer now that i know their struggles❤
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, foolish pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
It is somewhat kind of scary why Christian and Islamic people push us to believe in their faith.
Every country has its own culture. Shinto has been rooted in our lives since ancient times. This is something that comes naturally to us Japanese people, so most of us don't even realize it. And, the Emperor, whom we have respected for generations, is the highest-ranking priest who performs Shinto rituals. Shinto does not have conflicts between religions like Christianity and Islam, nor does it have any sects, so there is no conflict between sects. The emperor prays for a rich harvest, express gratitude for the blessings of nature, and prays for peace and harmony in the country. As you see, Japan has this unique culture.
Please keep your faith and leave us alone. Let's respect each other's culture. That way we can avoid all kinds of conflicts like you had religious wars or the wars between catholic and protestant in your history.
They do not understand the language of human beings. Do not expect them to understand rational arguments. They only mend their ways once they get thrashed, either verbally or physically.
The abrahamic faith has cursed humanity with perennial warfare and conflict.
Looking at Western/European history, various nations had their own gods and religions like those of Ancient Greece and Rome. I'm very glad that in the 21st century people are starting to go back and practice their ancestral religions . I envy nations like Japan, India and China as they were not forced to lose their native religions like Europe was.
It was the same in African culture. The king is a high priest and is lead by our spirits and divinities for the welfare of the nation. Our religions were deeply rooted in ours cultures and you couldn't part them.
Agreed.
They probably cannot leave us alone. This has happened throughout history. Islamic invasions, Christian colonization, you name it.
They believe they are right, by trying to impose their myopic view of their own religion.
The production quality of this video is absolutely amazing. Awesome work and very relevant subject matter, may God bless you for all the work you do!
Please leave Japan alone 😭 why y’all feel like everyone has got to be Christian? First showing how they have a beautiful culture and how their beliefs are such a central part of it. Then advertising trying to eradicate that part of their culture by putting those dated Christian values over it. You can’t go one day without seeing religious propaganda.
(Excellent production and editing skills tho)
Because to love somebody is to will for them the best, and to let them damn their souls forever is not loving them
@@sameash3153 you should atleast respect their beliefs
You do know Muslim is the fastest growing in Japan, not Christianity.
@@Kitkat_____ lol just proves how ineffective the missionary’s are
@@Thai_countryball No, Muslims convert by force.
What an amazing video. Thank you.
When you've got Zen you don't don't need religious indoctrination.
I too love Japan but you dont know the dark history about Japan, they wiped out their own people in genocide for them following the God they wanted to, (Jesus) they wiped out the missionaries killing everyone christian they could find with "stepping plates" I think it was in the tokugawa or edo period.
They crucified christians tortured people for months pouring boiling water on them,
they invaded russia and china, they attacked America. They have been some of the cruelest people on earth cutting marines penises off in ww2 and sticking their own penises in marines mouths. They still have not apologised for the genocides to their own people and the chinese.
I love the animation of Japan, I love the food, I love the game shows, I love the language and I was planning on moving their and teaching english as a second language. Also samurai and Jujitsu and pride fighting championships and honda and yamaha are awesome companies
They are not innocent and have committed egregious evil like all nations, they have their history of killing babies and infanticide like almost all past nations and most nations today in the genocide of abortion.
Not only that they teamed up with the nazies.
Just thought I would enlighten you.
The Japanese people are not dogmatic atheists as some Westerners are, I have never experienced that among them at all. They are a beautiful people and are open-minded to different thought. They are wary of religion because of what they historically have seen with religious wars. As we can see in today’s world, religion is associated with violence and killing. It has been associated with dangerous cults and fanaticism. This wariness goes back a very long time in the Japanese psyche because it is a culture that puts supreme emphasis on cultural unity and stability. Indeed beneath the secular modern culture of Japan, the inner fabric of the culture is very religious. It is so deeply intertwined with their culture that many do not realize they are religious simply because they may be lay people and not Shinto/Buddhist clergy. Japanese people are very spiritual and I would not ever equate the majority of them to the evangelical New Atheists we have in the West.
Watching it again
Mad quality, brother!
Japan's unique and unparalleled culture, traditions, costumes, dance and entire civilization are the best that mankind has ever known. However, since it is based exclusively on Yamato Buddhism and Shintoism, foolish pagan religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Communism should never be welcomed in sacred Japan. Japan 🇯🇵
The biggest difference between Christianity and Japanese culture for me is summed up when we have a meal.
In Japan, we say "itadakimasu" - "we appreciate the animal that died so I may live".
Christianity says "dear god, thanks for the food" - "god, thank you for putting the animals here on earth for my benefit.
Christianity is all about me me me, I'm so special, all the animals here are for ME.
Japan realizes we're nothing special. We're just one of many animals on the planet. We must eat to survive, and we thank the other that we're sacrificing so we may live another day.
Thanking Jesus with little care for the animal that actually is dead... just wrong.
Its just like you can murder and rape a girl, but you just tell Jesus you love him and repent and voila, you got your pass to heaven. Never mind how that girl feels.
Even if Christianity were true, I hate that self-centered I'm so special way of looking at oneself.
I'm not religious, but if I had to choose one to live by, it'd be Buddhism or Shinto.