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Fred,

"Many students of the world's religions and spiritual traditions find consideraable differences between the sensibilities incorporated within Shinto and those of Western Religions, particularly in the area of relationship with Nature. If Japanese sensibilities are expressed in and conditioned by Shinto to the degree I think they are, or were in the past, I don't think it's much of a stretch to expect the average person in Japan to react to ancient trees in pots rather differently than the average Westerner, and for that reaction to have a rather different significance."

I think you may be equating "different" with "differently" with regard to the relative responses of a Shintoist and a Christian to seeing a beautiful potted tree. Surely someone who holds Shinto beliefs will likely view and respond to a bonsai differently than would a Christian, but the respect, adoration, etc... would, I believe be roughly the same. After all, Christians do not hold some ideal that nature is not special, not beautiful, not a testament to God's unfathomable power and majesty. Just as does a Shintoist, Christians perceive majesty and spirituality (to a point) in nature just as Shintoist do. It's just that the kind of qualities that are perceived are different.

So, I'd say that a Shintoist and a Christian view nature differently, not not necessarily "different." (if that makes any sense).

BTW, we're venturing into the realm of speculation and faith - from which debate can render little. ;-)

Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
zone 8, Texas

21-Oct-2003	#13
K.A. Rutledge Guest Posts: n/a	Fred, "Many students of the world's religions and spiritual traditions find consideraable differences between the sensibilities incorporated within Shinto and those of Western Religions, particularly in the area of relationship with Nature. If Japanese sensibilities are expressed in and conditioned by Shinto to the degree I think they are, or were in the past, I don't think it's much of a stretch to expect the average person in Japan to react to ancient trees in pots rather differently than the average Westerner, and for that reaction to have a rather different significance." I think you may be equating "different" with "differently" with regard to the relative responses of a Shintoist and a Christian to seeing a beautiful potted tree. Surely someone who holds Shinto beliefs will likely view and respond to a bonsai differently than would a Christian, but the respect, adoration, etc... would, I believe be roughly the same. After all, Christians do not hold some ideal that nature is not special, not beautiful, not a testament to God's unfathomable power and majesty. Just as does a Shintoist, Christians perceive majesty and spirituality (to a point) in nature just as Shintoist do. It's just that the kind of qualities that are perceived are different. So, I'd say that a Shintoist and a Christian view nature differently, not not necessarily "different." (if that makes any sense). BTW, we're venturing into the realm of speculation and faith - from which debate can render little. ;-) Kind regards, Andy Rutledge zone 8, Texas