Confucianism can't be religion because it doesn't fully express what a religion is according to academic definitions of religious convictions. Also, Confucianism bases itself on Codes of Conduct rather than addressing problems about an afterlife or humanity, therefore it can be easily said that it is a system of ethical and social philosophy.
Religions usually make claims about the nature of the supernatural as well as proper lifestyle behaviors. Confucianism does not make any claims about the supernatural world, which is why people typically call it a philosophy. However, Confucianism was often practiced alongside Shenism and Ancestor Worship and encouraged having supernatural beliefs (even though it makes no claim as to which supernatural beliefs are correct explanations).
Philosophy is the study of ideas about knowledge, truth, the nature and meaning of life, etc. This is what the Chinese philosopher, Confucius set out to do, to study his ethical-sociopolitical surroundings. Confucianism is also sometimes considered a religion.
Religions usually make claims about the nature of the supernatural as well as proper lifestyle behaviors. Confucianism does not make any claims about the supernatural world, which is why people typically call it a philosophy and not a religion. However, Confucianism is often practiced alongside Shenism and Ancestor Worship and encourages having supernatural beliefs (even though it makes no claim as to which supernatural beliefs are correct explanations).
Confucianism is a philosophy because there is no deity of worship. In order for something to be consider a religion, there has to be a deity.
Buddhism is considered a philosophy and not a religion because, the Buddha is not a god, there is no "God" in Buddhism. The main tenant is that we are all capable of Buddhahood.
b
Many people consider __________ a philosophical belief system instead of a true religion
Confucianism
It is more of a philosophy than a religion. Just like buddhism is more of a philosophy than a religion as well.
They really do not have a god. Confucianism is more of a philosophy or way of life than a religion.
Although ancestors are worshipped in Confucianism, it is a monotheistic religion, because they worship 'Ti'en (Heaven).' God, in Confucianism, is more like the way Deists believe in Him, rather than Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, or Jews would understand Him.
Here is what I could find for you on this subject. This is an exerpt from the book,"Mankind's Saerch for God," published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. (www.watchtower.org) "Tao is some mysterious cosmic force that is responsible for the material universe. The objective of Taoism is to search out the Tao, leave behind the world, and become at one with nature. This concept is also
Monotheistic, although Confucianism does not believe in God in the same way that other monotheistic religions such as Christianity or Sikhism do. Rather it sees Him more in the same way that a Deist would view Him.
Confucianism is more of a philosophy than a religion. In fact, it is NOT a religion. It was founded by Confucius, a Chinese philosopher around the 5th or 6th century BCE. There are about 5 million followers of Confucius today. Confucianism values education and personal relationships. The teachings of Confucius are found in a book called The Analects.
Not very many people still practice it today. It's a dying religion and the cultural revolution in China didn't help it much. More people use it as a philosophy than a religion.
Confucianism is just about all ethics and morality. It's more a code of laws for life than a religion. The jokes that start out, "Confucius say..." are satire of all the different little things that make the the complex system for morals, social behavior, political believes, and the philosophy of Confucianism. The main idea behind Confucianism is that humans can be taught to be better and perhaps eventually perfect through stringent dedication to Confucianism, even giving their life to uphold the practices.
There are no real "religious organizations" connected with Confucianism because it is more of an acceptance of the philosophical teachings of Confucius than any type of religion. It is a philosophy--not a religion. No one worships Confucius; they respect and admire his teachings and writings. But that is a far cry from a "religion"...There are organizations that help to spread these teachings--but since your question was related to spirituality and religion: I'll take my leave and allow you to decide if you wish to pursue the matter at all. If you do: wikipedia.
They do not worship a god. Confucianism is more like a philosophy then a religion, so if people were Confucius they could also be Buddhist without anyone saying pick a religion and stick with it!
Confucianism began as a guide to good conduct and provided the core of education for Chinese officials. Only centuries later, in neo-Confucianism, did it become a more fully-fledged religion.
Confucianism does believe in heaven. But their religion doesn't touch on to it. Confucianism is more of an earthly thing rather than heavenly, meaning that it focuses more on life rather than the afterlife.