Islam

We started our unit on Islam the other day, which turned out to be extremely interesting. We listened to the chant they say 5 times a day. The dedication this requires immediately baffled me. Why must you pray 5 times to God? I understand praying to worship God or to receive things you want, but doing so 5 times a day seems unnecessary. I think God would want his/her people to do amazing things with their lives and not to center them around God. Simply praying and begging shouldn't be enough to get people what they want, they should work for it. I think there are also many unique aspects of Islam, such as the Hijra, which is a migration to Medina. This migration seems like a good idea though, for it brings you closer to your religion. Specifically for Islam it brings people closer to Muhammed/Allah. Having this one sacred place, Mecca/Medina, is something i think most religions have and it provides a necessary foundation to the religion. I also like the idea of Ummah, which is a community in Islam. i think community is extremely important to a faith, for being able to connect with your close ones makes the religion seem stronger.

Chinese Religion

A main part of Chinese religion is Taoism. Taoism seems very similar to other religions we've studied. It is very abstract and quite difficult to understand at times. I particularly like the idea of when you fill something to the brim it spills, etc. People shouldn't obsess, but they should just let things be. If you obsess too much or you do anything in excess, it spills. This religion is not very responsible, for it involves going with the flow of things, and therefore it is hard to plan in advance. However, it seems like a relaxed religion i could enjoy. A term, which describes Taoism, but it sort of difficult to understand is Wu Wei. Wu Wei means "not doing", so things just happen, but the individual doesn't do them, rather they simply let it happen to them. The actual word Dao means "the way" and it seems to be sort of the basis of Taoism.

My life would be very different if i followed Taoism, for things that mattered would simply not matter any more. I wouldnt worry about getting good grades, and i wouldnt feel guilty for handing in papers late. It wouldnt matter if i brushed my hair int he morning or what i wore to school. I wouldnt worry about the future and where i was going to go in life, rather i would simply let it happen to me without questioning it. I wouldnt be upset about what life handed me, i would just accept it and move on.

Confucianism is also a part of Chinese Religion. Although Confucius was not very successful in converting people, it is a well known religion. It involves looking towards tradition, for that is the only way to save society. There are many aspects, which come with Confucianism. For example, Ren, which means benevolence/ treating other well. There is also Li, which are rituals/rites. Ren and Li together make up a good life for a person following Confucianism. A gentlemen, a person who follows Ren and Li, is called a Junzi. There is also Xiao, which is the filial piety all people must feel. There are important relationships in Confucianism. there is ruler-subject, husband-wife, father-son, older brother-younger brother, and friend-friend. The person above you is the one who you must listen to and follow.

Confucianism also seems like a relatively interesting religion, but personally i would prefer Daoism. I don't like tradition much, and i wouldnt want to have follow it for the rest of my life. I think traditions are made to be changed and made better.