A recent study in the United States indicated that one in five “Christian” Americans would not return back to church after Covid19 issues end. In the United States there are many reasons for this as the culture shifts causing cultural Christianity to disappear. What about in Japan where the culture is already overwhelmingly opposed to Christianity? What do Christians face here?
Unlike the United States there is great pressure here to avoid Christianity given the underlying cultural norms that assume that being Japanese consists of: 1) Japanese racial identity, 2) Japanese language ability, and 3) Japanese accepted cultural norms which are heavily intermixed with Shintoism and Buddhism. All three of these elements make up “Japanese Culture”. An underlying assumption is that if you do not have these things, then you truly are not Japanese. So strong are these sentiments, that the few who do not agree with this understanding are readily shunned.
Japanese are typically taught that Christianity is a
“White man's religion from the
West” that first came to Japan
with the imperialistic intentions of the Jesuits and is therefore
incompatible with Japanese values. However most Japanese are shocked
to find out that Christianity is actually an Asian religion
originating in the Middle East with most Christians being outside of
“The West”. They are also shocked to find out that Christianity arrived into
Japan before Buddhism and even has a Trinitarian God in its most ancient foundational
religion that pre-dates Shintoism.
Ironically, Darwinism and Atheism, which are truly Western concepts are not questioned even though these ideologies have displaced Japanese culture more than any other in recent history! Even though most Japanese do not believe Shintoism or Buddhism personally the cultural pressure remains strong to give all outward appearances of adherence to said concepts.
When one decides to be a Christian here they are faced with the decision to potentially alienate themselves from their family and culture, which is a huge sacrifice in a group-oriented society. This has the effect of either creating a strong believer who lives for God or a life of stress, shame, and eventual surrender to the majority culture for those who desire to try to live in both worlds.
One of the older ladies that my wife led to the Lord was faithful for years, traveling about two hours for church each Sunday, and even getting Baptized. However, when faced with continual family pressure as well as the realization that she would have to get rid of her family idols, it proved to be too much to handle, leading to her abandoning of the church. This is the sad reality for many Japanese Christians who have indeed learned the truth, received Christ as Savior truly, yet have returned back to their former lives preferring to live painfully as secret believers. It should be a reminder for Christians to determine which shame is greater; that of society, or that of our conscience and God. Please pray for Japanese Christians who have to make hard decisions in a world that is highly opposed to them living out their faith.
