Comparing Confucianism and Christianity

Comparing Confucianism and Christianity

The premise of Confucian teachings are centered around the idea of Jen

or the ³virtue of humanity (Ching 68).² To accomplish this divinity, five

relationships must be honored: ruler and minister, father and son, husband and

wife, elder and younger brother, and friend and friend (Hopfe). These

relationships led a push for a revolution of the political system to adopt the

methods of Jen. Confucius sought to revive the ancient Chinese culture by

redefining the importance of society and government. He described a society

governed by ³reasonable, humane, and just sensibilities, not by the passions of

individuals arbitrarily empowered by hereditary status² (Clearly). He felt

that this could be achieved through education and the unification of cultural

beliefs. He believed that a nation would be benefited by citizens that were ³

cultivated people whose intellects and emotions had been developed and matured

by conscious people² (Clearly). He felt that those born into the feudal system

were had a personal duty to excel socially by means of power. Those who were of

lesser class should also seek out education to better themselves. All purposes

for betterment of man and society as one whole is known as Li. Li means ³the

rationalized social order² (Yutang). Confucius felt that love and respect for

authority was a key to a perfect society; this strict respect was practiced

through rituals and magic (Smith). The Confucius traditions have caused a

tradition to set within its institution and is extremely active. It has,

unfortunately, allowed the political institution to manipulate the Confucius

system. As with Christianity.

Christianity also preaches a divine, brotherly love. Modern

Christianity seeks to discover a ³rational understanding of the person² as did

Confucius (Ess ed. 381); yet, Christianity feels that faith in the Jesus Christ

as a personal savior is essential to this enlightenment. It was also under the

guise of Christianity that it had to confront totalitarian systems ³[dehumanize]

uses of power in its sphere of influence (state and church, and [these] systems

triumphed under the banner of de-Christianization (Ess ed. 384). Unlike

Confucius reformers of their corrupt state pushed the beliefs of the true ideals

of Confucius, Christians believed in an ³Absolute against all absolvi...

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