Those godless Japanese!

[Mister Pervert]

A friend living in Tokyo sent an email recently to say he's OK and to generally describe events in Tokyo on the day of the quake and those following. He had this to say:

Have been very impressed at how the Japanese handled themselves in the crisis - absolutely no looting etc.

According to Wiki only about 30% of Japanese subscribe to any religious belief, which makes them a country largely filled with atheists. Interesting then to compare an anecdotal statistic like this with statistics for looting after natural disasters in places that have large populations of theists. Just sayin', ya know?

Mr P

[wolty]

Yup, not surprised at all.

[Coryate]

I actually suspect it has more to do with the Japanese idea of civilized behaviour.
Shinto still has a part to play in their lives, and there where plenty of people at the Shines on New Years when I was there. But it's more likely to be a cultural thing than an actually believeing.

[Feuerbach]

Wasn't the emperor considered a god on earth?

I suspect when they shed that delusion they simply moved ahead without requiring an alternative.

WWII was a heck of a shock to the system, and it's interesting that faith didn't succeed in occupying the void. Not in any substantial way at least.

Christians still think it's a good idea to send bibles and missionaries, when what they'd prefer is toilet paper and trained psychologists. At least the bible can offer one of those uses.

[Mister Pervert]

Originally Posted by Feuerbach

Wasn't the emperor considered a god on earth?

WWII was a heck of a shock to the system, and it's interesting that faith didn't succeed in occupying the void. Not in any substantial way at least.

Christians still think it's a good idea to send bibles and missionaries, when what they'd prefer is toilet paper and trained psychologists. At least the bible can offer one of those uses.

There was actually THREE B29s that bombed Japan in WWII. The "Enola Gay" dropped the bomb, the "Great Artiste" carried camera and scientific measuring equipment and the one carrying the scientific gawkers was named "Necessary Evil".