Religions of the world: a comprehensive encyclopedia of beliefs and practices/ J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, editors; Todd M. Johnson, World Religious Statistics; Donald Wiebe, Introduction-2nd ed., Copyright 2010 by ABC-CLIO, LLC. Reproduced with permission of ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara, CA.
Is a Japanese Shintoist group known as the great mountain sect which was founded by nature worshipper Shimoyama Osuke. This movement is known for its worship of mountain gods with the chief deity being Ontake Okami or the great kami of Mount Ontake. I have previously written more about Shintoism in a precious post as handling some of their common views or issues.
This mountain worship sect began by climbing mountains as a spiritual/ religious discipline in which the ascent of Mount Ontake was viewed as a mystical pilgrimage in believing that it produced spiritual strength.
In addition to this ritualistic practice the movement includes folklore beliefs such as the yama no kami descending the mountain to the rice fields in spring. Moreover they incorporate superstitious ceremonies involving chinka-shiki as the rite of pacifying fire and kugatachi-shiki or the rite of sprinkling hot water.
Philosophically their world view can involve a fatalistic or determinist view of life in accepting matters of sadness and trouble as the divine will which ultimately could lead to a form of pessimism. So I am wondering what hope is there for a faithful worshipper or devotee who finds themselves in this state of mind and being?
In conclusion Mitake-kyo is essentially about nature worship and the sacred recognition of kami which are believed to inhabit this mountainous region known as Ontakesan.
Yet contrary to this view the biblical authors portrays this kind of activity as idolatrous in that these adherents accept and receive these demonic entities while rejecting the Supreme Creator as the true source of heaven and earth of not only the mountains but also of the entire phenomenal and metaphysical universe.
Romans 1:18-25
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
1 Corinthians 10:19-20
19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.
1 Corinthians 8:4-6
4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
In conclusion perhaps there are several reasons why the numbers of this relatively young sect has dwindled to losing about 3/4 of their membership which should be an indication that the reality of such beliefs/practices are not sustainable and are outside of ultimate truth as people are rejecting this world view. In the same way that many of them have moved on to search out other areas of faith then perhaps deep down you have considered doing the same thing yourself and I would like to encourage you that as you seek elsewhere that you would be willing and open to look beyond the spacial boundaries of this geographical landmark or even further than the cultural settings of Japanese religion.
In closing Jesus makes some statements about removing our burdens in that it is through Him that we receive a new nature as He cleans and purifies our hearts in making us acceptable before a holy God transforming our lives to become a virtuous people. He only requires that we trust in Him and by so doing we partake in His rest from the guilt and shame of immorality which convicts our consciousness, reminiscent of God’s impending judgement. Furthermore it is God’s good pleasure and will to bless us with the great fortune of His love which removes sin in giving us new life without the merit or works of having to perform religious ascetics thus resulting in confidence and reassurance for this life and the life to come.
Anyway I am including a post on how to have a relationship with God along with my personal testimony and all that I would simply ask for you to do is to read it carefully and pray to God to know Jesus in a real, dynamic and tangible way. God bless!
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Religions of the world: a comprehensive encyclopedia of beliefs and practices/ J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, editors; Todd M. Johnson, World Religious Statistics; Donald Wiebe, Introduction-2nd ed., Copyright 2010 by ABC-CLIO, LLC. Reproduced with permission of ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara, CA.
