Religion

Essay by mrsaulongUniversity, Bachelor'sA+, November 2002

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Religion affects many dynamics of a society. Although, at first glance most people do not realize the drastic effects religion has on a culture. It can have a major impact on the stability and growth of the economy, the people's family, and social lives. In the following essay, I will illustrate how Confucianism, Buddhism, Islamic, Judaism, and Christianity influenced different societies. Confucianism is a moral and religious system in China. It was a system of ethical principles for the management of society, combining etiquette, ritual, sympathy, and treating inferiors with propriety. Since it is based on social issues, the supernatural religions, such as Buddism, challenged it. When Confucianism was at its prime, it promoted peace, stability, and a just government. The culture progresses because each individual is working to make the whole society better. An example of one of their principles is, "a superior man never competes." This is why the western world never accepted Confucianism.

They are too competitive. In China, this unity made life peaceful because there was not any back stabbing and a desire to be the best. The government promoted civilized and proper behavior. This environment created an ideal situation to invent things that would change the world. Wallpaper, compass, paper, printing press, and toilet paper all came from China. Confucianism is the main reason China stayed together for so long. Unlike Confucianism, Buddhism is a religion centered on developing a person to reach a spiritual fulfillment. Under this philosophy, a person strives to reach Nirvana. Until a person has reached it, he or she will keep reliving his or her life. It teaches the practice of meditation and the observance of moral principles. According to Buddhist, desire is bad and it has to be eliminated because it is the root of all evil. Following...