Religion in Japan.

Religion in Japan is a complex haphazard affair. Like a man at the Kentucky Derby who bets on every horse and declares himself a winner, the Japanese hedge their bets in the hope of securing every realm of spiritual possibility. Multiple religions have co-existed in Japan since the sixth century when Buddhism was introduced.http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/japan/religion.htm

From the outset Shinto and Buddhism influenced each other and developed a relationship which was mutually beneficial for the followers of both religions. Confucianism and Taoism have also had deep historical impacts on the thoughts and actions of Japanese people throughout the centuries.

Christianity was introduced by Jesuit missionaries in 1549 and was at first viewed negatively by those in power. In the 1600s many were persecuted and forced to renounce their Christian beliefs. It wasn't until the late 1800s that the ban on Christianity was lifted and Christians were openly able to practice their rituals.

According to a 1996 report, about 194,000,000 Japanese are members of both religions, about 54% more than the total population of Japan. Apparent by these numbers, Shinto and Buddhism are not in conflict with each other but exist peacefully together. In actuality most Japanese seldom attend religious services, except during festivals, marriages and funerals. Seemingly Christianity seldom comes into play except during marriages ceremonies (although this is mainly due to it being seen a fashionable). Whilst many elderly Japanese turn to Buddhism in order to secure a new life via reincarnation, also because Shinto sees death as impure. This picking and choosing of various religious rites and rituals defies the traditional view of a single faith being the only path to religious enlightenment. Although it could be argued that hedging one's spiritual bets isn't true religious faith, the people of Japan have found religious peace and prosperity which has alluded those in the middle east for 1000s of years.