Cross-cultural communication （52）　

52）Religion
In Japan, religion is like water or air, and it is rarely talked about. However, in other countries, religion plays a much bigger role in culture. If you step outside Japan, religion appears quite often in everyday life. At least in the US, although you are no longer asked about your religion when you are looking for a job, you are often asked to write your religion on various forms. If you are asked about your religion at such a time, it is your choice whether to be honest and write that you have no religion, but it is safer to write that you are a Buddhist (or, of course, a Christian if that is your religion). This is because the statement “I have no religion” has a certain impact in most countries outside of Japan.

In other countries, religion is certainly more deeply ingrained in everyday life than in Japan, but when you're at a social gathering like a party, it's generally considered good etiquette not to bring up religion, along with political topics. The reason for this is that in many countries, people believe in multiple, even opposing, religions. So, if you don't have to, it's good social wisdom not to bring up religion. New York, where I lived for three years, is a melting pot of races and people of all religions. If you average the whole of America, Christianity is still the majority, but in New York, Judaism is the majority. That's why the year-end party at the hospital is not a Christmas party, but a Hanukkah party, a Jewish celebration held in mid-December. In New York, people also exchange Christmas cards, but the standard greeting is not “Merry Christmas” but “Happy Holiday Season”. This is because it can be used by people of any religion.

When I was asked about my religion, I used to say I was Buddhist. When I was asked for more detailed information, I would say, “My sect has rules that are almost as loose as having no rules at all, and if you believe in it, it guarantees happiness in this life.

| BACK |