Confucianism: The Gateway to Communism in China China is a country of many cultures and religions dating back centuries. There have been numerous religions and in those religions have been many varieties. In addition to the plethora of religious ideologies, China has been governed in various ways throughout history too. Family dynasties controlled China for most of its history up until modern times. However, religions have impacted the way dynasties ruled and these religious influences have lasted longer than dynasties. Confucianism prepared the rise of Communism and its success in China through beliefs, practices, and common themes.
In order to compare both, first it is important to get a short understanding of both. Confucianism arose …show more content…
The first theme that both Confucianism and Communism share is the absence of a present, and omnipotent God. In Confucianism there is not a present, omnipotent, God. Not having God is important when talking about Communism. Some could argue Tian is a deity to Confucianism but instead Tian is translated to Heaven and the role within Confucianism is to achieve harmony between Heaven and Earth, so Confucians do not treat Tian like an all powerful God like other religions have. Communist ideals do not allow for society to believe in religion, but more specifically in a god. In Confucianism there is no god, therefore under Communism it is acceptable. Vladimir Lenin, Communist leader from Russia said, “We do not believe in God” (Lenin). Confucianism did not have a god, and it was not a religion either. “The words “religion” and “philosophy” did not exist in Chinese vocabulary until late 19th century” (Küng, Ching 63). Confucianism was founded as a teaching, and under Communism, teaching was allowed but religion was not. Confucianism and Communism also share the idea of virtue. For Confucianism, virtue is what inspires and individual to study, unselfishly help with public service, and be kind within human relationships (Peter Dass). Communism virtues are similar when it comes to knowledge and public service. Under Communism everyone would be serving the public and in an ideal Communist society, the people would do so with the responsibility of not complaining or fighting back. Communism relied heavily on the support of the people and the Communist government could use the teachings of Confucianism to “guide religion to adapt to socialism behind the Chinese Communist Party” (Fisher 159) similar to how the Han Dynasty used Confucianism to model laws. The final theme shared between Confucianism and Communism is the idea of the greater good over the good of one’s self. “A sage is not
In order to compare both, first it is important to get a short understanding of both. Confucianism arose …show more content…
The first theme that both Confucianism and Communism share is the absence of a present, and omnipotent God. In Confucianism there is not a present, omnipotent, God. Not having God is important when talking about Communism. Some could argue Tian is a deity to Confucianism but instead Tian is translated to Heaven and the role within Confucianism is to achieve harmony between Heaven and Earth, so Confucians do not treat Tian like an all powerful God like other religions have. Communist ideals do not allow for society to believe in religion, but more specifically in a god. In Confucianism there is no god, therefore under Communism it is acceptable. Vladimir Lenin, Communist leader from Russia said, “We do not believe in God” (Lenin). Confucianism did not have a god, and it was not a religion either. “The words “religion” and “philosophy” did not exist in Chinese vocabulary until late 19th century” (Küng, Ching 63). Confucianism was founded as a teaching, and under Communism, teaching was allowed but religion was not. Confucianism and Communism also share the idea of virtue. For Confucianism, virtue is what inspires and individual to study, unselfishly help with public service, and be kind within human relationships (Peter Dass). Communism virtues are similar when it comes to knowledge and public service. Under Communism everyone would be serving the public and in an ideal Communist society, the people would do so with the responsibility of not complaining or fighting back. Communism relied heavily on the support of the people and the Communist government could use the teachings of Confucianism to “guide religion to adapt to socialism behind the Chinese Communist Party” (Fisher 159) similar to how the Han Dynasty used Confucianism to model laws. The final theme shared between Confucianism and Communism is the idea of the greater good over the good of one’s self. “A sage is not