Shinto-Jewish Interfaith Dialogue

The Jerusalem Post reported today about an interfaith dialogue that happened last Thursday between Israeli academics and 26 Shinto priests from Nagano, Japan. The dialogue took place at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. While the two faiths differ greatly in their belief systems, the aim of the dialogue was to discuss the similarities between Jewish and Shinto beliefs and to find common ground between the two.

In the article, Prof. Ben-Ami Shilloni, an academic from the university’s Department of East Asian Studies who was present at the dialogue, described Shintoism as Japan’s “natural and oldest religion”, founded during the reign of Emperor Keiko (71-130 CE). According to Shilloni, followers of Shintoism “seek interfaith dialogues in an effort to get past religious barriers that are, in their eyes, the basis for much of the world’s conflicts.”

Dedicated to the interfaith experience, followers of Shintoism believe that “one can be a perfect Shintoist while simultaneously serving other gods or participating in other types, of worship.” A great example of this, according to Shilloni, “are the Christian wedding ceremonies most Japanese couples undergo, despite their adherence to Shintoism.”

As someone with limited knowledge of Judaism, and even less knowledge about Shintoism, it would seem like the two make an unlikely pair for dialogue. However, the article revealed that the two share the same openness for dialogue. “It is much easier for us to conduct interfaith discussions with the Shinto than with Christianity or Islam, since the latter two reject Judaism in favor of their own faiths, while Shintoism accepts Judaism as it is,” explained Shilloni. He also explained that while followers of Shinto embrace and respect all faiths, not all faiths reciprocate that feeling.

Another interesting point as described by Shilloni is that the followers of Shintoism see Judaism as “the mother of Western religions, and thus holier than other monotheistic faiths.”

According to Shinolli, while the Shinto priests initiated the dialogue, both sides had something to gain from it. He explains in the article, “the dialogues aid in portraying Shintoism as a less primitive religion than is believed by most of the monotheistic world, and aim to show the common ground shared by Shintoism and other faiths. Israel also has an interest in interfaith dialogues, as they contribute to Israel’s and Judaism’s image as open and accepting.”

Website: www.jpost.com