Fakeness in Japan
Open Book's Amy Welborn links to two articles today on "the masters of the artificial" across theSea of Japan East Sea.
The first is just plain sad, an indication of where many of our societies are heading: Dolls Replacing Children in Ever-Aging, Childless Japan.
The second is at worst offensive, at best culturally insensitive, but either way just plain pathetic: Fake priests in demand in Japan.
Why, pray tell? For weddings: "With Western-style weddings now the most popular choice, Japanese couples are paying for foreign men to stand in as 'priests.'''
It has been said that Japanese are born as Shintoists, marry as Christians, and die as Buddhists.
I saw the Japanese wedding-halls on a visit to the country. They look just like churches: with crosses! Here in Korea, they do faux Western weddings, but no one would ever dream of co-opting religious symbolism from a non-professed religion. The Korean wedding halls are decorated in chinsy rococo style, but there is no religious imagery.
I guess in Japan, with only 1% of its population Christian, folks can get away with such nonsense. Here in Korea, with about 35% of its population Christian (second in Asia only to the Catholic Philippines), that would be impossible.
Open Book's Amy Welborn links to two articles today on "the masters of the artificial" across the
The first is just plain sad, an indication of where many of our societies are heading: Dolls Replacing Children in Ever-Aging, Childless Japan.
The second is at worst offensive, at best culturally insensitive, but either way just plain pathetic: Fake priests in demand in Japan.
Why, pray tell? For weddings: "With Western-style weddings now the most popular choice, Japanese couples are paying for foreign men to stand in as 'priests.'''
It has been said that Japanese are born as Shintoists, marry as Christians, and die as Buddhists.
I saw the Japanese wedding-halls on a visit to the country. They look just like churches: with crosses! Here in Korea, they do faux Western weddings, but no one would ever dream of co-opting religious symbolism from a non-professed religion. The Korean wedding halls are decorated in chinsy rococo style, but there is no religious imagery.
I guess in Japan, with only 1% of its population Christian, folks can get away with such nonsense. Here in Korea, with about 35% of its population Christian (second in Asia only to the Catholic Philippines), that would be impossible.
Redeemed by Our Savior, I work out my salvation with fear and trembling in Pohang, South Korea, where I live with my wife, daughter, and son and teach English at a science and technology university. Baptized a Methodist and raised a Missouri Synod Lutheran in Buffalo, NY, I spent six years as a guest of the Anglican Communion before being received by the Grace of God into the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church on the Feast of Saint Andrew, my patron, anno domini 2002.
<< Home