1) Is this a religion? Why do you think so/think not?
A- I personally do not think that Confucianism is a religion. It is merely just a system that teaches philosophy and ethics. Even though I fell this way, Confucianism is still followed by people all over the world. The main reason I don't thinkConfucianism is a religion is because it lacks a main religious figure, such as a god or goddess. But I will say that Confucianism has many great ways in which a person can live a happy, joyous life.
2) Does this reading support the idea that people are born good/bad/neutral?
A- I think this reading supports the idea that people are born neutral. People are born neutral at birth, and then choose their path of life wether it be good or bad. A line that supports this would be in Book 1, Chapter 6, lines 1-4, “If a man withdraws his mind from the love of beauty and applies it as sincerely to the love of the virtuous; if, in serving his parents, he can exert his uttermost strength." These lines basically means that if a person is good in the mind, not only will he be happy, but so will his family. “When agreements are made according to what is right, what is spoken can be made good. When respect is shown according to what is proper, one keeps far from shame and disgrace" (Book 1, Chapter XIII, lines 1-4). These lines rephrased mean that a man or woman behaves properly, he or she will keep far from shame upon them and/or their families. And finally, the last example supporting that man is born neutral is "“1. The Master said, 'At fifteen, I had my mind bent on learning. 'At thirty, I stood firm. 'At forty, I had no doubts. 'At fifty, I knew the decrees of Heaven" (Book 2, Chapter IV, lines 1-4). These lines pretty much mean that as a human grows older, he or she gets wiser, just as the master did in these lines. This means that he or she will choose which path they want to be on as they grow older because they are wiser.
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