has BELEIFS
Shintoism no dogmatic system or formulated code of morals. Shintoism also has no book that serves the same purpose that the Bible does to Chritianity. Rather, Shintoism is more of way to live. However, Shintoism does have stories about creation and divine matters. According to Shintoist beliefs, two kami, which means god, named Izangi-No-Mikoto and Izanami-No- Mikoto gave birth to the Japanese islands. Shintoism also says that the gave birth to various children, who became the gods of all the different Japanese clans. However, the emperor was not related to any of the clans. Rather, the emperor is the descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami, who is also considered the chief deity. Also, according to Shintoist lore, her brother, Susano, is famous for coming down to Earth and killing the great evil serpent that tormented Japan. From these stories and ones like them you can obviously conclude that Shintoism is a polytheistic religion. Theyre gods arent Omnipotent like the Christian God. Instead, theyre gods can be related to anything in the world. They can be objects in nature, they can be guardian of clans, they can be great people like all but the last emperors, or they can even be abstract forces of life. Kami are also kind and wise will and protect all that worship them. To worship them you can go to their shrines, but also must live a good life and be good to everything. Thats because according to Shintoism all human life, and all of nature is very sacred because it is a manifestation of the gods. A Shintoist will work to have Makoto, or a true heart, which is all the Kami want. In Shintoism doesnt have a detailed book describing exactly what is good and what is bad. They do four affirmations that everybody should follow to have Makoto. 1.Tradition and Family-In Shintoism, family is very important. One is expected to honor their family, especially their elders. 2.Love of Nature-Nature is considered very sacred, and to in contact with nature is to be in contact with the gods. Natural objects are even worshipped as gods or spirits. 3.Physical Cleanliness-The gods are always clean and orderly, so to be in contact with them you must be clean and orderly as well. One would never ever enter a shrine when dirty. 4. Matusuri- Matusuri is honoring of the Kami. Shintoism is a religion that honors and demands that its followers respect everything in the world, for it all has a spirit, and they always do the right and sensible thing, trying never to cause harm to themselves or others.