Book contents
- Frontmatter
- SECTION I THE POSTWAR RELIGIOUS WORLD, 1945 AND FOLLOWING
- 1 Dangerous and Promising Times: American Religion in the Postwar Years
- 2 Public Religion in Canada from Mackenzie King to Trudeau: Entering the Age of Pluralism, 1945–1982
- 3 Religion in Mexico, 1945–2010
- 4 American Judaism in the Postwar Period
- 5 Suburbanization and Religion
- 6 The Postwar Religious World, 1945 and Following: The Case of Asian Religions in the United States
- SECTION II CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES IN TRANSITIONAL TIMES
- SECTION III THE WORLD’s RELIGIONS IN AMERICA
- SECTION IV RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL CONFLICT IN AMERICA
- SECTION V NEW AND CONTINUING RELIGIOUS REALITIES IN AMERICA
- SECTION VI CONCLUDING ESSAYS
- Index
- References
6 - The Postwar Religious World, 1945 and Following: The Case of Asian Religions in the United States
from SECTION I - THE POSTWAR RELIGIOUS WORLD, 1945 AND FOLLOWING
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 July 2012
- Frontmatter
- SECTION I THE POSTWAR RELIGIOUS WORLD, 1945 AND FOLLOWING
- 1 Dangerous and Promising Times: American Religion in the Postwar Years
- 2 Public Religion in Canada from Mackenzie King to Trudeau: Entering the Age of Pluralism, 1945–1982
- 3 Religion in Mexico, 1945–2010
- 4 American Judaism in the Postwar Period
- 5 Suburbanization and Religion
- 6 The Postwar Religious World, 1945 and Following: The Case of Asian Religions in the United States
- SECTION II CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES IN TRANSITIONAL TIMES
- SECTION III THE WORLD’s RELIGIONS IN AMERICA
- SECTION IV RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL CONFLICT IN AMERICA
- SECTION V NEW AND CONTINUING RELIGIOUS REALITIES IN AMERICA
- SECTION VI CONCLUDING ESSAYS
- Index
- References
Summary
The years after the Second World War marked a monumental shift in American religious consciousness and specifically in Americans’ attitudes toward Asian religions. Perusing issues of Life magazine during and after World War II acutely demonstrates the shift. In its 16 August 1943 cover story, entitled “How Strong Is Japan?” the popular magazine pronounces in a bold caption, “Japanese Are Imitative and Traditional … but United by Emperor Worship and Hate.” The report’s characterization of Japanese spiritual traditions is no less inflammatory. “The asinine tea ceremony was evolved from the Chinese who have long since forgotten it. It derives from Zen Buddhism and represents a contemplative philosophy of relishing small things. The ceremony is fully as elaborate as a college fraternity initiative. Japanese life is full of similar nonsense.” By 1951, after Japan’s defeat and occupation by the United States, Life magazine would return to Japan, but with a different eye. Its 31 December cover is graced by a pretty Japanese girl in traditional dress, smiling amiably for the camera. Here the feature story proclaims, “The Example of Japan: The Medieval Land That Became Asia’s Most Modern Nation Is Exerting a New Influence Today on the Ways of the West.” The color spread that accompanies the story features Zen-inspired homes and serene gardens, as well as Japanese traditional artwork, “a great, delicate art.” Shintoism is still maligned. However, by 1964, even this tradition – once closely linked with Japan’s military aggression during war – is rehabilitated.
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- Information
- The Cambridge History of Religions in America , pp. 126 - 148Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009