i just got a book on Shinto (early birthday present). for those of you who didn't know, i've been trying to separate myself from christianity lately. i hate what it's become these days. i believe in god but the rest of the religion to me is ridiculous. despite my deep-rooted hatred of all the pointless rules and exclusive bigotry it's a bit hard to not think of myself as a christian anymore. but i'm getting there.
but what does interest me is Shinto. i've been wanting to find out more about it for some time and it appeals to me for several reasons-
1. it's far older and simpler/purer than christianity and closer to the roots of humankind, nobody even remembers who invented it
2. it promotes a closeness to nature more than a specific divinity
3. all its symbols and decorations have a really simple kind of beauty, like those torii gates.. rather than fancy brass, engraved, showy things that you find in churches.
4. it's japanese :D
5. a really good thing in my opinion- it's less of a religion than it is a way of life (in other words, not so many pointless rules, restrictions, and exclusiveness)
i'm not sure if i actually want to take up Shinto but i certainly do want to study it and.. contemplate. christianity is such a PEOPLE religion- the only purpose for animals according to the bible is for us to eat, and plants are barely mentioned. nature has no will of its own, it's simply a way for God to impress us. i can't go along with that way of thinking. i've always found plants and animals so much less tiresome and self-important than people; i think i need to try something new >.>
...(and a new theme :D)
