Neo‑Shinto thought tends to approach modernity and technology not as enemies of the sacred, but as new fields in which traditional Shinto sensibilities can be reinterpreted. Rather than rejecting technological progress outright, it seeks to integrate values such as purity, harmony, gratitude, and reverence for life into the way technology is designed and used. Technology is often seen as an expression of human creativity that can participate in the wider, sacred order of things when it respects balance with nature and community. In this view, what becomes problematic is not technology itself, but its use in ways that disrupt harmony, foster alienation, or encourage forgetfulness of the sacred character of the world.

From this perspective, environmental concern becomes a central lens through which modernity is evaluated. Neo‑Shinto interpretations frequently emphasize that technological development should not come at the expense of ecological integrity or spiritual well‑being. Industrialization and consumerism are thus subject to ethical critique when they lead to pollution, environmental degradation, or a sense of disconnection from the natural world. Traditional notions of reverence for natural forces and respect for all forms of life are extended into calls for sustainable, ecologically attuned forms of technology and economic life.

At the same time, Neo‑Shintoism pays close attention to the human experience of modern society, especially the feelings of isolation and rootlessness that can accompany rapid technological change. It responds by re‑emphasizing community, local ritual, and connection to place as ways of re‑embedding individuals within meaningful social and natural contexts. Shrines and festivals, even in highly urbanized settings, are treated as enduring nodes of sacred presence that can counterbalance the anonymity of modern life. In this way, traditional practices are not abandoned, but rather recontextualized as resources for navigating contemporary forms of alienation.

Neo‑Shinto approaches also explore how technology itself can be “spiritualized” when used with sincerity and ethical awareness. The care and craftsmanship involved in creating and maintaining tools and machines can be interpreted as an expression of reverence and integrity, so long as such artifacts serve human flourishing and communal harmony rather than mere efficiency or domination. Modern media and communication tools are sometimes incorporated into ritual life—through practices such as virtual shrine visits or digital offerings—while ongoing reflection seeks to preserve authenticity, gratitude, and respect within these new forms. In all of this, science and technology are generally not rejected, but placed alongside a symbolic and ethical vocabulary that orients their use toward harmony with nature, community, and the sacred.