Yizhi
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humm...historically speaking religion has never had that much power in Chinese society as it had in Christian, Islamic or Indian ones, which made China more or less secular for over 2000 years, quite unique when you think about it. moralities were Confucian mixed with other schools of thoughts, educational apparatus was combined with bureaucratic national examination system, political power lied firmly in the hands of emperor and civil servants. so religion as strictly defined in other societies didn't have much room to develop in China, it changed into a more cultural-ethical base practice rather than worked as a powerful sociopolitical structure in other places.That's what I like about Chinese people and Chinese mentality. It is a very pragmatic one. Chinese, wherever they are, either in China, Japan, America, Europe, they have the ability to adapt rapidly to the environment. It is like the saying :
是开放的手。不要握拳。
Chinese (and to an extent Japanese) are able to take the core of any concept and apply it to Chinese way of life. For example, a Chinese Christian will adhere to tenets of Christianity, but at the same time will maintain Chinese cultural practice such as Ancestral Worship (which really works with Christianity because in Christianity we are supposed to pray for our relatives, loved ones who already passed away). The concept of Good Samaritan is synergistic with Chinese Confucianism , too.
This is why Chinese people are adaptive. They succeed , flourish wherever they are anywhere in the world because of this 'Open Hand' pragmatism. 是开放的手。不要握拳。
I try not to take the dogmas too seriously, essential is the belief system and the active (personal) religious practice that helps with internal locus of control. As a support system for us. That's what i like about Catholicism and Orthodoxy is because there is a respect for mysticism and not so much 'by the book'.
This is why I come to disagree with some Christian Protestants.
But that's a different matter.
Chinese (Han) could be superstitious, but religious? we pick & choose parts of a religion we like and create curious new adaptions, it's a totally different understanding of what 'religion' is supposed to be, lol.
you know i have a friend newly converted Christian always behaves like i shall go to hell for not believing in god....Sometimes too pragmatic. Sometimes I am thinking what if some gods do exist, then should I go to hell?
wow from travel to culture to comparative religion now to philosophical thoughts about death? @Nihonjin1051 i can barely keep up with you! this thread has been unbelievably peaceful (is this why it got moved to members club? lol.). GJ everyone!Death will always stir fear in us, and the acceptance of one's own mortality is something that not many are able to do, even in the last moments. I do take comfort in knowing , believing that i will see my grandfather and grandmother again. I'm sorry to hear about your friend, im sure he was a good man.
@birdy welcome, and i like your username.
btw, @AndrewJin you two in same school?