Confucianism as a Religion
How does one define religion? What characteristics does a view need to have in order to be considered a religion? Questions similar to these have been asked many times, and no concrete answer has been universally accepted. Some characteristics have been found common in most world religions: an afterlife, a notion of sacred, rules or guides for behavior (i.e. how to lead a "good" life), and almost universally, an explanation or rationalization for death. There is a debate, nevertheless, on whether Confucianism should be considered one of the world's religions. Confucianism lacks significant explanation of either death or an afterlife and is behaviorally hard to distinguish from a mere ethical institution. It is possible that some of these shortcomings in the Confucian viewpoint can be explained, and perhaps a better understanding of religion may be gained in the process. The criticism that a given religion must have some notion of salvation is ambiguous if not unwarranted. The Christian sense of the term salvation deals generally with deliverance from sin and the effects of sin. Definitions like this cannot be applied cross-cultural
Society both shapes and is shaped by the individuals living within the society. Peter Berger, professor and author, proposes model for religion to which the Confucian view may be shown to fit. Also, society and interpersonal relations are an important part of one's character and, in turn, part of the Way. That is why I do not cling to life at all costs. Confucianism, unlike most religions, is not as concerned with death, and instead is focused on how individuals lead their lives. It is impossible to embark on the way of Yau and Shun with such a man. Many situations create problems for this secret subjective reality. ly because many of the world's religions have no notion of sin yet they are still considered religions. " (Mencius 166)Mencius reveals that what he desires more than death is rather to exist as a "perfected character" and within his "proper destiny. In order to be religious one must have the understanding that what is good is good because it has come from some supernatural being or understanding. It is through awaiting whatever is to befall him with a perfected character that he stands firm on his proper destiny. If this is the case, it would seem that Mencius does describe how one can achieve salvation. It seems necessary to modify the definition of sin to fit a broader range of religions; salvation as a way or means to lead the full (good) life appears to satisfy this. Mencius uses the example of the "village honest man" to draw this particular distinction between the religious (Confucian) man and the man whose outward behavior may be ethical. Yau and Shun w!ere said to have a complete cosmic understanding.
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Acceptance Essays
