Originally posted by @romans1009
That was indeed a very interesting, constructive and non-trolling post.
Do you know where the idea that God has two sides to His nature comes from? Oral tradition, a foundational text? Do you know the basis upon which this belief arose?
Not sure it’s parallel with Christianity because while angels and demons do exist in Christianity, they are not t ...[text shortened]... ntoism draw a distinction between what humans might consider bad and what God considers justice?
Am by no means an authority on Shintoism, and it is Japan itself I am more interested in. Here is a snapshot though of its origin:
'If Japan’s major religions were likened to a tree, Shintoism would be its roots. Shinto, commonly defined as, ‘Japan’s indigenous religion’, is as old as Japan itself. Its roots and origins trace back to the latter part of the Stone Age, when it is said that the Japanese first began inhabiting the Japanese Islands. The ancient Japanese clan Yamato initially believed in Shinto only as a tribal religion but, as they grew in number, proceeded to propagate it as a means to establish and solidify their reign. Since those ancient times, Shinto has been influenced by an influx of various religions into Japan from surrounding regions. The notable arrival of Buddhism into Japan in the 6th century CE had a significant impact on Shinto doctrine; thus, it was only to distinguish itself from Buddhism that the term Shinto was initially coined. Consequently, most Japanese (85 percent) culturally practice a mixture of Shintoism and Buddhism. Globally, up to 3 million people recognise themselves religiously as Shintoists and although Shinto rituals are still widely practiced throughout Japan, only a minority of Japanese identify exclusively with it. Nevertheless, Shinto beliefs and practices are firmly embedded in the civilisation of Japan and continue to remain an integral part of Japanese culture today.'
http://www.reviewofreligions.org/10622/shintoism-in-japan/