Does God Exist? A Japanese Children’s Book Explains

かみさまはいる いない？ (2012)
Shuntaro Tanikawa

I was surprised to see my local library put in its childrens’ rack a book about the existence of God, supplementing their amusing and popular series about the Buddhist Hells. This book is written in very simple script and it seems the audience is 4 to 7 year olds. Remember that Japanese has no plurals and sex is usually unspecified, so all instances of “he” could also be “she” or “they”.

God exists (it seems).

We can’t see Him anywhere

But God exists somewhere (it seems).

God doesn’t speak.

Instead, humans speak for him.

God can’t be seen.

Instead, humans depict him.

How many Gods are there?

Some people think there is one God.

These people build a house for God.

Some people think there are many Gods.

These people build a house for the Gods.

Some people think there is no need for God.

These people build a house for themselves instead.

Did God make Man?

Or

Did Man make God?

Did God exist before the beginning of the world?

What is He doing now?

Is God not doing anything anymore?

Could it be that after leaving us with this bountiful world, He has nothing left to do?

The people who God left in charge of the world have big shoes to fill.

Posted: August 6th, 2012 | Secular-Religious 3 Comments »

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