With dissolution of State Shinto after World War II, shrines were now run by NGOs, independent of government control.

Sect Shinto also came more to the forefront.

These are the "New religions" of Japan.

There are 13 recognized sects, many originating in the 19th century.

Sect Shinto is more organized than Shrine Shinto. Each sect has its own founder, writings and unique practices and rituals drawn and modified from original Shrine Shinto.

Shinto is a clear contrast to Christianity’s "original sin" or any Western religion which distinguishes clearly between heaven and earth, between Creator and creation.

• A nature based religion such as Shinto would only develop and thrive in a rich, life giving environment (such as Japan).

• It’s only natural that Western religions, which originated in the Near Eastern desert, would separate God from the harshness of the natural world and would see life in this world as less than a sacred paradise (not Eden - Eden was an earthly paradise where Divinity resided in the garden).

• If nature is not inspiring we look beyond this world for that sense of sacredness. The night sky over the desert might be more awe inspiring and so divinity is associated with the distant (transcendent) heavens. In Japan, divinity is found (felt) within the immediate (immanent) environment.

• Note that native European (Pagan) and American (Native American) religions are indeed earth centered, seeing the sacred and divine in this world just as Japan does. Those European and American environments were more life giving than that of the Near East.