Confucianism shows that 'God' is ultimately obsolete

[plornive]

Confucianism is an example of a system of social and ethical philosophy that conformed and conforms many people in China without the idea of a 'God'. It defines familial relationships, friendly relationships, political relationships and even international political relationships between nations --- all without the idea of a 'God'. Confucian principles are what the morals and laws of China are largely based on, similar to how many of our morals and laws are based on biblical ideas (*whether these ideas originated in the bible or not*).

This is a blaring illustration of the fact that 'God' is one specific idea that is not necessary for society to conform to a set of moral standards. In other words, atheism does not lack morals/order/conformity.

My point is not that we should all do what confucius said. I will continue to eat large chunks of bloody meat and not use chopsticks, thank you. I'm also not saying that christianity is obsolete in western society right now.

My main point is that society does not need a deity to worship in order to have morals, order and conformity. 'God' is, *ultimately*, an obsolete idea.

As a background, most Chinese distinuish between 3 types of religion: one for Confucianism, one for Taoism and one for Buddhism. Buddhism came *after* Confucianism, so Buddhism plays less of a role in Chinese society than Confucianism. Taoism is a philisophical religion that does not deal with death in any detail. Almost all Chinese are Confucianists, while many are Taoists and some are Buddhists.

 

[Nathan]

Most people that are a part of Western culture need religion TO JUST GET THE FUCK THROUGH THE DAY. That's why they waste their fucking time praying and that shit if ya ask me. The whole fucking thing is such a contradiciton and yet it doesn't matter. It just doesn't. We CAN fool ourselves and that is all that counts. Playing mind tricks with yourself all the time gets us by. Who the fuck cares about truth and whether there is a God? All that matters is that you convince yourself that if you don't shoot the ass who sits next to you at work who keeps fucking farting then there will be a place for you in heaven. I mean fuck, if I thought there were a heaven then I'd do whatever it takes to get there. Eternal happiness = yes please.

I hope I understood the point of your post bro.

 

[saint808]

nietzche knocked on my door
he said god was dead and getting funky
and if i did not believe him to take a look around
i looked out and what trees were left looked gnarly
so i said fred get back on your harley
you existensital creeps just bring me down

 

[HappyScrappy]

 

[plornive]

I think you probably understood the point.

I somewhat agree with what you are saying. However, I think it is a lot easier to amend the ideas of Confucius than it is to amend a supposedly sacred idea. I think keeping it real and pricipled leads to more understanding and less conflict.

 

[curling]

China that was the place that they shot their own people in Tineman Square isn't it? Chinese can bite me but I do like their food. Yea, I guess you could try to make through life without God but He is still none the less. That changes when you die though.

 

[Doktor Bollix]

Confucianism has nothing to do with atheism. It essentially is a mix of nature worship and ancestor worship with a bunch of ethical teachings on being obedient to the state, family, father etc thrown in. The chinese encourage the veneration of spirits of every kind and are probably the most superstitious people in the world.

The efforts of the present Chinese communist regime to replace the old system with the materialistic atheism of modern unbelief has been very unsuccessful despite great effort and enormous suppression..

Humans always venerate gods because we are herd animals and can't conceive the universe without a dominant chimp in the sky to maintain order. It's a function of biology.

 

[plornive]

China that was the place that they shot their own people in Tineman Square isn't it? Chinese can bite me but I do like their food. Yea, I guess you could try to make through life without God but He is still none the less. That changes when you die though.

Thank you for your blind, baseless and ultimately meaningless statement. Always a pleasure...

 

[wyst]

China that was the place that they shot their own people in Tineman Square isn't it? Chinese can bite me but I do like their food. Yea, I guess you could try to make through life without God but He is still none the less. That changes when you die though.

Curling, come on. Confucian China and Communist China are two different places. Hell, we shot our own people at Kent State not so long ago...

xoxo

Wyst

 

[plornive]

Confucianism has nothing to do with atheism. It essentially is a mix of nature worship and ancestor worship with a bunch of ethical teachings on being obedient to the state, family, father etc thrown in. The chinese encourage the veneration of spirits of every kind and are probably the most superstitious people in the world.

The efforts of the present Chinese communist regime to replace the old system with the materialistic atheism of modern unbelief has been very unsuccessful despite great effort and enormous suppression..

Humans always venerate gods because we are herd animals and can't conceive the universe without a dominant chimp in the sky to maintain order. It's a function of biology.

Confucianism is atheistic in the strict definition of atheism. No, confucianism does not involve ancestor "worship" or spirits. It does define relationships by teaching people to be obedient, etc. It does not do this by invoking the idea of a deity or spirit. It is atheistic in the strict definition.

The fact that some Chinese believe in spirits does not mean it affects them morally. The laws, morals and customs of China are obviously based largely on Confucianism, not Buddhism or even Taoism.

Therefore, Confucianism is an atheistic modus operandi of conformity that keeps moral, ethical and legal order without invoking the idea of a 'God' or spirits.