Shintoism

Going over the history of Shinto today we talked about how Buddhism became part of Shinto. I found it interesting that these two religions coexisted together. I thought it was strange when we talked about the funerals and how they would not touch the body's of the dead, but left them instead for the Buddhist monks to deal with. To know that their where still bodies uncovered and decaying in the jungle as Denise told us is fascinating. It makes me wonder how bad it got to smelling in the area. I also think it is fascinating that the government made Shintoism the only religion there could be at one time forcing all other religions out of Japan. Then in later years revoking that and making all religion equal and welcome. I wander at that, if the United States will ever do that and if so what will happen to all of us.