Divine Emperor (beliefs, followers, America, worship, God)

[Halcyon]

The Emperor of Japan was considered a God for centuries, a core part of the Shinto belief system. After World War II, the American occupation forced the Japanese people to denounce the divinity of their Emperor and this has remained so ever since.

Was this right? Who were the Americans to change the religious beliefs of another culture?
Are today's Shinto followers bitter about this?

[Master Vigil]

Well, actually he was seen as a decendent, as all japanese were. But he was the direct descendent. But what the americans changed was not the centuries old beliefs. During and before WW2, the emperor tried to burn all religious books conscerning the old beliefs, and created a military religion. All were forbidden to worship any god other than the emperor, his pictures were put in shrines, in schools, etc... He truly screwed up the ancient shinto beliefs. The americans actually fixed that, well, to the best of their knowledge. It was one thing I believe america did right.

[Halcyon]

Well shut my mouth! Guess i should have researched that better!

[Master Vigil]

No problem, the emperor was always seen as a direct descendent of god, and was as close to divine as possible. So you were right about that part.