Confucianism and Christianity
M. Douglas McKinney
Philosophy of Religion
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). ...