Valuable answers for valid questions about world religions, cults, worldviews and the Christian church
This site contains over 130 pages of free content in articles, videos and audio – it might be faster to use our search function to find what you are looking for
This page will provide a comparison of Taoism, Confucianism and Shintoism with an analysis of how these faith systems answer the most important questions in the world.
The authoritative writings of Confucianism consists of the Five Classics called Wu Jing these are the collected manuscripts of the ancients which Confucius edited and annotated with commentaries. He put these works into 4 books and wrote the 5th one himself. They have gone through much editing and alteration over the last 2500 years:
A collection of 8 trigrams and 64 hexagrams consisting of solid and broken lines. Supposed to have great power if the key were ever found.
A work of history of the 5 prior Chinese dynasties to Confucius time.
An ancient book of poetry believed by Confucius to make one virtuous.
Taught man to act in an honorable way like the ancients (an important value to Confucius)
Commentaries written by Confucius on the state of Lu during Confucius time.
Along with the Five Classics listed above, Confucians also utilise The Four Books (Si Shu) known as “The Teachings of Confucius” some of which were used by him for teaching, while others were written by his disciples and comprise instruction collected into the following works:
The sayings of Confucius, collected by his followers. Contains biographical information of Confucius.
Details the relationship of man to the universal order.
The first exposition on Confucianism ever written.
Confucianists have historically been non-theist (moral-code living) or in some cases they retain their animist roots in ancestor worship like Shintoism.
Ancestor worship was prevalent in China during Confucius’ day:
Confucianism is not a religion in the sense of man relating to the Almighty but is rather an ethical system teaching man how to get along with his fellow man. Considering the truthful condition of mankind being enslaved to sin and destined for eternal separation from God, the Confucian approach to life is much like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic while not escaping the sinking ship.
“You are not able to serve man, how can you serve the spirits?” – Confucius
The key practices of Confucianism primarily consist of Doctrinal Principles and a term which has recently become popular in Western culture: Feng Shui. The Doctrinal Principles are sometimes called the "6 ways":
Jen is the “negative” form of the golden rule - given by Jesus except that Jen states it in the negative: Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire” – Confucius, The Analects XV:24
Acting like a true gentleman by the following practices: Humility, magnanimity, sincerity, diligence, and graciousness.
Everyone must act his proper part (know your place and do not attempt to be or act otherwise). “The ruler must be the ruler, the subject must be the subject…”
Means "power" – to rule is achieved by leaders who are virtuous and can inspire their subjects to obedience through example.
Has multiple meanings depending on the context where it is found: propriety, reverence, courtesy, ritual, or the ideal standard of conduct.
Arts of peace: music, poetry, & art should be manifest throughout China.
Chinese word of “geomancy” a branch of divination to determine appropriate sites for houses or graves. c.f. divining rods for water
“You do not even understand life, how can you understand death?” – Confucius
Tao Te King “The Way and Its Power” also known as the Lao Tzu.
Written by Lao Tzu himself, it is a little booklet of about 5000 words (about 15 pages)
According to the Tao Te King:
All things emanate from the Tao (The Way) which is an “impersonal force”
however as time went on gods were brought into the religious system, along with a belief in heaven and hell and the ultimate deification of Lao-Tzu.
“The Tao that can be understood is not the real Tao.” or “Those who know, don’t say. And those that say, don’t know.”
When asked about his reaction to his wife dying, Chuang Tzu gave the following response which is very telling of the Taoist founder’s belief of what happens after death:
“I realize that originally she had no life; and not only no life, she had no form; not only no form, she had no material force. In the limbo of existence and non-existence, there was transformation and the material force transformed to became form, and the form transformed to became life and life became birth has transformed to become death. This is like the rotation of the 4 seasons: spring, summer, fall, & winter. Now she lies asleep in the great house (universe). For me to go about weeping and wailing would be to show my ignorance of destiny.”
– Chuang Tzu
No one receives eternal life and eternal presence with God (from Whom all good things come – James 1:17), by belonging to the right church, denomination, world religion, or by having a particular world view. Rather only those who trust in the Lord Jesus (preached by the Apostles in the Bible) for their own sin. We will not trust in a Savior for sins that we either don’t believe we have or that we think aren’t deserving of hell. But the Bible says that ALL have sin and the wages of that sin is eternal separation from God (death). The good news is that the Bible says that you can know that YOU have eternal life. Click the button below to see if you are genuinely saved from your sins according to the Bible: