Idea Ripper // ArchiveCards: 1555 [Live] | Updated: 2026-10-14
Card #c210IR // #c210Synthesis

It is rather, as Schiller called the worship of the gods of Greece, a Wonnedienst, a religion inspired by love and gratitude more than by fear.

— In our words · Source: Shinto: The Ancient Religion of Japan (William George Aston)

[Use when]

When explaining why a religion endures, test the fear hypothesis against the love hypothesis — Shinto's staying power came from gratitude.

[Why it matters]

Flips the default anthropology assumption — the saying 'Fear first made the Gods' does not hold here; the three greatest gods are beneficent beings and their festivals are occasions of rejoicing.

More from Shinto: The Ancient Religion of Japan

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