Religion in China and Greece

Religion in China and Greece
by Rit Nosotro
Comparative Essay

Compare and contrast the major religions currently practiced in China and Greece.

The religions of China and Greece are very different in a lot of aspects. China’s mayor religions are Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. The teaching of Buddha is to: do no evil, cultivate good, and purify one’s mind. Buddha was a man, who at the age of twenty-nine abandoned his wife and child to discover the world in its suffering. He supposedly became Buddha, “the enlightened one”. He traveled the world teaching people about the path or Dharma he had realized in that moment. Buddha died at the age of eighty, but his teachings stayed with many of the people.

Confucianism is also a major religion of China. Confucianism is developed from the teachings of Confucius and his disciples, and is concerned with the principles of good conduct, practical wisdom and proper social relationships. Even though the followers of Confucius behave religiously, there is no “higher power” or god that is the object of their devotion. It has influenced the Chinese attitude towards life, set the patterns of living and standards of social value, and provided a background for Chinese political theories and institutions.

The last major religion of China is Taoism. There are many theories that go along with Taoism. Ying Yang is a very popular one; it has to do with everything that is opposite (ex… hot and cold, good and bad…). The three main virtues of Taoism are compassion, balance, and humility. These are the major religions of China.

The three major religions of Greece are Greek Orthodox, Divination, and Judaism. Greek Orthodox follows the teachings of the Jesus of Nazareth. He is also referred to as the son of the true God, who died for the world as a savior. In addition to following the teachings of the Bible, they add the traditions of their religious leaders.

Divination is also a major religion of Greece. Divination is the practice of attempting to acquire hidden knowledge and insight into events-past, present and future-through direct or indirect contact of human intelligence with the supernatural. Contact with the supernatural is usually done by a psychic medium, but also includes astrology and witchcraft.

The last major religion of Greece is Judaism. Judaism is the religious culture if Jews (also referred to as the people of God). It is the belief that a single transcendent God created the universe and keeps controlling it today. They also believe that by living according to God’s law and submitting to the divine will, humanity can become a harmonious part of the cosmos. These are the major religions of Greece.

The religions of China are very different from the religions of Greece. Buddhism in China, is the belief that there was a human that became a god, and Greek Orthodox in Greece, believe that there is only one God that is supernatural. However, the teachings of these two religions have some similarities. They both believe in doing good. The differences are many. Typically, religions of China are mostly about man living in harmony with society through his own efforts. As for the typical religions practiced in Greece, they are about pleasing the one God through the strength he gives, except for Divination. The focus of the major religions of China is the glorification of man. The focus of the major religions of Greece is the Glorification of God. These are the major differences of religion between these two countries.

from <http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/comp/cw29religionchinagreece.htm> ( )

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