Confucianism: Religion or Philosophy?

[GenMarshall]

This thread has been inspired by the thread "Religions, are they all the same?" (I dont remember the exact name ).

I have been bugged by the question about Confucianism since my Moral, Ethicsm and Character development class has talked about it.

I then looked into it further and began to question, "Is Confucianism a religion or a philosophy that can be adopted by anyone, including someone who is Catholic/Christian?"

 

[punkbass2000]

The distinction between "religion" and "philosophy" is an arbitrary one. AFAIK, Eastern thought makes little if any distinction between the two. To resolve this question I think you will need to define both "philosophy" and "religion" and we can then look at which is the better fit for Confucianism.

 

[Atlas14]

Definately a philosophy. It preaches how people should live their lives, how rulers should rule, and such, but doesn't really deal with a supreme being of worhsip.

 

[Cuivienen]

Confucianism was not intended as a religion. However, many adherents of Confucianism, in contrast to Confucius's own wishes, worship him as a sort of prophet. Therefore, it qualifies as a religion.

 

[Sidhe]

It's a set of beliefs about how you should conduct yourself and a philosophy on life itself, I'd personally say its a kind of ethical religous code that marrys well with other Eastern religions such as shinto and Budhism. I'd say it was a religion as well because it is considered as one, by more religously adroit practitioners than me.

 

[Enkidu Warrior]

By almost any measure, Confucianism is a set of rules to live by, which just barely makes it a philosophy, but probably not a religion. The problem is that it is very difficult to define what is and isn't a religion. Confucianism has had more influence over more lives than most religions, if not all of them. At the end of the day it really doesn't matter. That which Confucianism truly is does not change depending on whether you call it a religion or a philosophy. We're only really debating the meaning of religion, not the meaning of Confucianism.

 

[nonconformist]

It's whatever you want it to be.

 

[Enkidu Warrior]

Definately a philosophy. It preaches how people should live their lives, how rulers should rule, and such, but doesn't really deal with a supreme being of worhsip.

Nor do many widely acknowledged religions.

 

[GenMarshall]

The distinction between "religion" and "philosophy" is an arbitrary one. AFAIK, Eastern thought makes little if any distinction between the two. To resolve this question I think you will need to define both "philosophy" and "religion" and we can then look at which is the better fit for Confucianism.

Religion:

is commonly defined as a group of beliefs concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions and rituals associated with such belief. It is sometimes used interchangeably with faith or belief system. In the course of the development of religion, it has taken many forms in various cultures and individuals.

For religion, my definition stems from the latin, religio meaning "reverence for the God(s)".

For Philosophy I have two definitions, my first definition comes from the Greek, Philo-sophia, which means love of wisdom. My second definition of philosophy refers to a general world view or a belief (without a deity).

For me, I find it as more of a philosophy line of thinking. But I am unsure if a Catholic or a Christian can adopt the philosophy of Confucious.

 

[Sidhe]

Nor do many widely acknowledged religions.

Budhism to name one.

Religion:

For religion, my definition stems from the latin, religio meaning "reverence for the God(s)".

For Philosophy I have two definitions, my first definition comes from the Greek, Philo-sophia, which means love of wisdom. My second definition of philosophy refers to a general world view or a belief (without a deity).

For me, I find it as more of a philosophy line of thinking. But I am unsure if a Catholic or a Christian can adopt the philosophy of Confucious.

In that case there are quite a few religions you've just asigned to the philosophical scrap heap, I'd be careful of offending them budhists they know Kung Fu

 

[punkbass2000]

Well, without going too deeply into it, I would say by your definition Confucianism is a philosophy and have voted accordingly.

 

[Atlas14]

Nor do many widely acknowledged religions.

Such as...?

If they don't have Supreme Being of Worship then they aren't or shouldn't be actual relgions. Kinda like Buddhism. That shouldn't technically be religion cause Buddha never wanted to be thought of as anything but a moral man.

 

[Sidhe]

you're confusing the narrow Godcentric definition of religion espoused by the Monotheist and polytheists as being a correct definition, it isn't.

re·li·gion Audio pronunciation of "religion" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (r-ljn)
n.

1.
1. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
2. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
2. The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
3. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
4. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.


Let's get the dictionary definition out of the way, essentialy if you go by the dictionary all the currently accepted world religions qualify.

 

[Atlas14]

Well duh, anything by the Dictionary version can be considered a religion then, Im just saying that it should be belief in supernatural or supreme being (Obviously not necessarily or exclusively "God" as you seem to think I meant). Anyone can then be considered a "spiritual leader", which is BS in my opinion.

 

[Dida]

Religion is philosophy for the uneducated, for those who is too abtuse to understand the fine details of a school of thought.
In Asia, religion and philosophy are one, they are 2 branches of the same thing, serving two distinct populations.

 

[Sidhe]

Well duh, anything by the Dictionary version can be considered a religion then, Im just saying that it should be belief in supernatural or supreme being (Obviously not necessarily or exclusively "God" as you seem to think I meant). Anyone can then be considered a "spiritual leader", which is BS in my opinion.

I was referring to the previous posters I hadn't seen your post it was made simultaneously.

 

[Atlas14]

I was referring to the previous posters I hadn't seen your post it was made simultaneously.

Oh, my bad

 

[Souron]

Confiutionism I would generally think of as closer to a philosophy than a religion. But really in the east the difference beteen the two is hardly present.

 

[El_Machinae]

Does confucianism have an opinion on what happens after you die?

 

[Evil Tyrant]

Confucius say, selling fortune cookies to Americans is very good business.

On a more serious note, I would classify it as a philosophy, it makes no pretensions to being divinely inspired, like the ten commandments, but it does claim to be the advice of a wise man on how people should behave. But I don't know much about it beyond what I read in fortune cookies, so I am probably not of much help here.