What is polytheism? How does this concept relate to Shinto? What is State Shinto? What are kami? What are Shinto shrines and how are they related to kami? What are Torii? Describe this feature. What is Folk Shinto? Critical Thinking Questions What are some of the similarities and differences between Shinto and other religions? What is the New Year Festival? Describe what happens during this festival. What benefits does the festival have for individuals and society? How do individuals prepare for worship in Shinto? Is this similar or different to how followers of other religions prepare for worship or rituals? How did the Peace Constitution of 1946 change Shintoism? What is the Great Purification? Do any other religions have similar rituals or beliefs

“dear sir: it is with great reluctance, i trouble you on a subject, which does not fall within your province; but it is a subject that occasions me more distress, than i have felt, since the commencement of the war; and which loudly demands the most zealous exertions of every person of weight and authority, who is interested in the success of our affairs. i mean the present dreadful situation of the army for want of provisions, and the miserable prospects before us, with respect to futurity. it is more alarming than you will probably conceive, for, to form a just idea, it were necessary to be on the spot. for some days past, there has been little less, than a famine in camp. a part of the army has been a week, without any kind of flesh, and the rest for three or four days. naked and starving as they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery, that they have not been ere this excited by their sufferings, to a general mutiny or dispersion. strong symptoms, however, discontent have appeared in particular instances; and nothing but the most acitive efforts every where can long avert so shocking a catastrophe.” what’s the central idea?