Confucianism

1)      According to Webster’s New World Dictionary and Thesaurus, religion is the belief in one or more gods.  I do not think that Confucianism is a religion.  Nowhere was it mentioned that people were supposed to worship or fear a higher spiritual being.  The reading focused on ethical behavior like filial piety.

2)      The reading supports the idea that people were born in the neutral zone and needed to embrace good behavior.  Following the ethical rules would lead people in the right direction; as philosopher Yu stated, “’In practising the rules of propriety, a natural ease is to be prized” (Book I. Chapter XII. Line 1-3).  Yu implies that following the rules of society allows humans to be more comfortable because it leads them from the path of evil.  Malicious behavior brings shame, so, “’When respect is shown according to what is proper, one keeps far from shame and disgrace’” (Book I. Chapter XIII. Line 1-5).  Attention to wording reveals that people are not born virtuous; humans, “’If they be led by virtue, and uniformity sought to be given them by the rules of propriety, they will have the sense of shame, and moreover will become good’” (Book II. Chapter III. Line 8-12).  The use of the phrase “will become good” indicates that human beings have to find their way to the path of uprightness.