REL 1000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: List Of Civilisations In The Culture Series, New Confucianism, Taoism
Lecture Based Questions
1. In what ways is Yourba an "African religion"? What are the problems with this category?
What are the Orisha, and who are the major Orishas? What is Ifa Divination? What role
do these concepts and practices play in traditional Yourba religion?
Some Hints Regarding Reading Based Question
1. In the opening pages of Chapter 3, what does Prothero imply regarding
Western perceptions of Confucian teachings, and the actual historical and
global influence of Confucian ideas and values?
• Perception:
o To many westerners, Confucianism seems about as relevant as
a fortune cookie - we know less about it than we do about any
of the other great religions
o It is old fashioned and formal - it is about empty rituals, banal
aphorisms, antiquate etiquette, and maintaining the status quo
o BACKWARDS AND QUAINT
• Actual History:
o Confucius is almost certainly one of the five most influential
people in recorded history - CONFUCIUS HIMSELF
o Confucianism was China's official orthodoxy, its lessons on
how to become human through education, ethics, and ritual
were taught and learned
• Global Importance:
o Confucian values have propelled China to its current status as
the world's top exporter, the leading buyer of US debt, and a
major trading partner
o Confucianism has shaped Chinese thought, politics, economy,
and society.
o THE THIRD GREATEST RELIGION WHERE DOES HE
RANKS IT AT THE THIRD SO IT IS NOT A FORTUNE
COOKIE - IT IS ALL OVER ASIA
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2. According to Prothero, on what grounds could it be argued that Confucian
teachings do or do not represent a religion? If they do count as a religion, of
what kind?
• Confucianism is a philosophy, ethic, or way of life - has no formal
religious hierarchy such as the Vatican, no official priesthood, and
almost no congregational life.
• Confucianism can be regarded as religious humanism
o Has faith in individual transformation
o Secular is sacred - "the Way of Heaven is imminent in human
affairs" = NOT A RELIGION, DOESN'T DEAL WITH
AFTER LIFE OR DEITY OR TRANSCENDENT REALITY
• Teaches one to work on being "human" and work on the values and
virtues of being good. It is a concrete "religion" if it were to be
classified as a religion.
3. According to Prothero, what happens to "Confucianism" once China
becomes a communist nation in 1949, and what sorts of developments
characterize the "New Confucianism" of modern day China?
• Under a communist nation:
o There was talk about integrating communism and
Confucianism but the political drama of the Cultural
Revolution cast Confucius as the villain
o Confucian books were burned, the Confucius state was
smashed
o What was once the heart and soul of Chinese civilization was
recast under the communists as a feudal affront to progress, an
anti-modern system of superstition, and a reactionary
instrument of sexism and class oppression.
• New Confucianism: THE MOST RECENT STUFF - BRINGING
EVERYTHING BACK MAKE A LIST OF THE BIG IDEAS
ABOUT NEW
o The Confucian star is rising once again in China
o Momentum is so strong in China today that some are
beginning to imagine that Confucianism could soon replace
Marxist-Leninism as the official state ideology.
o New Confucians insist that, they have the right and the
responsibility to transform Confucianism itself -> they seek to
bring the ancient wisdom of their tradition to bear on such
current challenges as science, liberalism, democracy, ,and
human rights
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