TEAM Japan

Missionaries partner with Japanese pastors to reach a nation where less than 1% of people are followers of Christ.

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Travel & Events

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• Evangelical
• Alliance
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• Japan
• church

[socksumi]

Con't~ This video clip highlights the many arrogant presumptions Christians have about Japanese people. Eg, "so bound by their culture... it's very difficult to set them free"; implies their culture is an oppressive, imprisoning yoke from which they need liberating. It's the ugly... "us---right... them---wrong" mentality.

How would it be if the Japanese were to tell Christians they were slave to a cult and should instead embrace the ways and values of Japan? Gives a good idea how THEY feel.

[socksumi]

@RockSprites What's stereotypical is the root assumption of many Christians that the Japanese are somehow sad, desperate or lost because they don't follow the Christian belief system.

Nothing could be further than the truth. I've spent much time among Japanese people having made many friends---I have great reverence for the people and their culture. At the risk of generalizing I can assure most Japanese are as full of vim, vigor and zest for living as any people I've ever met.

[RockSprites]

@socksumi Meh, sorry for being so argumentative, lol. ^.^; Text is bad at conveying tone.

[RockSprites]

@socksumi Unhappy people are also far more prone to suicide, not simply crime. A contributing factor to low-crime rates is that guns are outlawed. If someone loses their job and then feels the need to kill themselves, their entire identity was in their job, and by losing it they are ashamed and have no purpose. Sounds so happy. They drink themselves silly, both young and old. And they make you think they're so happy till you find out your host mom boozes herself to sleep every night. It's sad.

[RockSprites]

@socksumi Sorry, but I have taken the time to study it and interview Japanese people about suicide and ijime. You're making some very stereotypical and erroneous statements. It's not a competition either. But it is what I'm studying. Just saying. Your comments seemed based more on hearsay and your own logic than the facts and research. And what Japanese themselves have to say on the issue. I would suggest looking up info in Japanese on Youtube. You get more info that way.

[socksumi]

@RockSprites The cultural influences for Japan's suicide rate has been studied, documented and written about--it's not just my opinion. Bullying (which occurs in all walks of life at all ages) is far more culturally entrenched in the US than Japan who's people are (by contrast) mild and benevolent.

Unhappy people are far more prone to anti-social behavior and crime. The Japanese have one of the lowest crime rates on the globe, this would not be possible if they were not well adjusted or unhappy.

[RockSprites]

@socksumi Yes, so have I. And while they put on a facade of joyous spirits, they do a very good job of covering up how they really feel. You have to dig very deep and be very discerning to understand what really goes on in their lives and at home. This conception people have that Japanese committing suicide has something to do with honor and the samurai tradition is off base, to say the least. A lot of the suicides happen because of bullying at school. : /

[socksumi]

@RockSprites The reason suicide in Japan is higher than average is that it is considered by some as a traditionally acceptable (and honorable) way to end ones problems--it goes back to the Samurai tradition. It's not because they are miserable or that they lack Christianity--in fact the rejection of Christianity is one of Japan's greatest achievements--less than 1% are Christian. I've been to japan and met many Japanese and they are as joyous of spirit as any people I've met.

[RockSprites]

@socksumi They also have the 5th highest suicide rate in the world and the family is rapidly deteriorating. I understand that you commented a year ago, but I wanted to add my two cents.

[allanclare]

they're not atheistic....

and what's the suicide rate these days?