Americans and Religion

[Archon_Wing]

*claps*

I would be curious as to your opinion regarding the relationship of the Tao with the acceptance of Communism in China, specifically. I have seen a variety of commentary on that. Any insights you can offer?

Well, actualy you kinda answered the question in the last part of the post, I think.:P

I don't have much experience with China, since I was born in the US. I do have a lot of experience with immigrants, such as my family and other random people I come across, so take this at whatever value you want.

You could say that China has gone in the opposite extreme in the Communists' attempt to abolish religon, which people don't appreciate. You can threaten them with jail and weapons, but that doesn't change people's minds. No amount of propoganda or threats will make Tienamen Square go away But I think many people would have noted the tragedy that happens when you simply try to trash thousands of years of tradition. The later policies of Mao indeed left a really bad taste in everyone's mouth.

From my experience, Chinese religon isn't really the same as it is in the Western sense. This is of course insanely broad, since there's not just one religon of course. There is more of a focus on behavior or morals as opposed the fear or respect of any particular deity. Thus, I think it's easier for people to rationalize the morals while dumping the supernatural stuff. Ultimately, "respect" is probaly a better word then "worship." When you see Chinese people burning incense to the dead, this is an example of respect over worship. Thus, the leaders no longer claim they have the mandate of heaven but some kind of morals and virtue. It's almost like rebranding religon into something that fits into their agenda.

It could be noted that a lot of Chinese people often condem other people to be lacking in (their) values. The inability to see across the fence is a worldwide phenomon.;)