How Do Japanese Protestants Talk about 'Religion'? : A Qualitative Study on Narratives of 'Religion' Using Positioning Analysis

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  • 日本人プロテスタントは「宗教」という言葉をどのように語るのか : ポジショニング分析による「宗教」に関する語りの質的検討
  • ニホンジン プロテスタント ワ シュウキョウ ト イウ コトバ オ ドノ ヨウ ニ カタル ノ カ ポジショニング ブンセキ ニ ヨル シュウキョウ ニ カンスル カタリ ノ シツテキ ケントウ

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Abstract

In Japan, the word shukyo (religion) often has negative connotations because it brings to mind all the negative aspects of various religious groups. Although Japanese religious believers may find it difficult to talk about their faiths by using the word shukyo in their society, few studies discuss the relationship and the disparity between their faiths and shukyo. The purpose of this study is to examine the social lives of Japanese religious believers through the way they talk about their shukyo. Data were collected by 14 Japanese Christians (Protestants) through semi-structured interviews and were categorized using a qualitative method. Eight categories of shukyo were identified: an affinity for the word kirisutokyo (Christianity); an absolutization of Christianity; a negative disposition towards new religions; anthropocentrism; a benefit-oriented faith; an idea of shukyo as embracing all religions; a regard for other religions and a pluralistic view of religion. By conducting an analysis of these categories, three positions were identified: the Christian, the citizen of the Japanese society and the common religious believer. The results showed that the word shukyo has a variety of connotations among Japanese Protestants, and that these connotations can shift among the three aforementioned positions. For example, when a respondent talked about shukyo from the viewpoint of Christianity, it implied that Christianity was good and other religions were bad; however, when he or she talked from the viewpoint of the citizen of the Japanese society, it implied that all religious groups were bad, and thus, reflected the negative perception of religion in Japan. These results also suggested that Japanese Christians (Protestants) always have alternated between the Japanese society and the world of Christianity while talking about shukyo. Being a religious believer in Japan may not be a static state but rather a dynamic process. This study reveals that shukyo may be a key word in studying the relationship between the Japanese society and Japanese religious believers.

Journal

  • Religion and Society

    Religion and Society 17 (0), 31-46, 2011

    The Japanese Association for the Study of Religion and Society

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