Temple Day

Today we went to the temple at Asakusa. It was the first time since being here in Japan that I really understood why I am here. As soon as we got there and saw the front gate I knew that this wasn't just an ordinary sight seeing adventure; I could feel it. The front gate had four "guardians" that really truly scared me. They were simply metal statues, but the feeling I got while there was creepy. It's like for the first time I could actually feel the darkness that surrounds Japan. There was a long passageway that was crammed packed with tiny little souvenir shops and food shops. All the proceeds went to benefiting the temple so we bought nothing. Once past the passageway was the inside of the temple. In front of the inside of temple to the side was a tiny statue of Buddha where people would come to drop money in the box and rub the part of Buddha that hurt them. For example, if their shoulder hurt, they would put a coin in the box and then rub Buddha's shoulder and they believe they will be healed. I stood there for a while watching people come and rub this little statue that they truly believed would heal them. I'ved learned about other beliefs but it has never hit me quit as hard or been quit as 'real' to me until today.
Right outside the temple people burn incense to 'cleanse' themselves before entering the temple. They then went in and dropped more money in and prayed. There were three men inside (I assume monks?) who were humming and praying in front of the elaborate alter. Along the sides were more places where people could drop money in and shake incense. It also is acostume for people to clap their hands two times before praying in order to 'wake up' their gods. The feeling inside the temple was something I've never felt before. It was so dark and strong. I always thought people were over reacting when they spoke of temples effecting them like that and even though the other interns warned me of it, I still didn't think I would be effected.
It is just so sad how the people here honestly believe that those gods can help them! People were coming to PRAY to these statues and gods that they had to clap to WAKE UP. I was almost in tears watching the people enter and leave, believing their gods could help them.
THAT is what we are fighting against here. Those other beliefs. And right now we are losing horribly because less than .5% of the people here believe in Christianity. I have met countless of people who haven't even heard of Jesus Christ!!! And the worst thing is, they don't even care. They are completely indifferent to religion or any thought of a higher being.
Today was a really rough day in many different ways, but one good thing that came of it is that I now have a much stronger passion to tell others about Christ. Because now I know what we're fighting against and now I can be better prepared.