confucianism?

[Extraecclesiamnullasalus]

This is a very serious question.
 
  I am forced to do a report on an oriental relegion for school. I chose  confuciansm, because it was more of an ethical system, and not a  relegion. My thesis is as Follows: Because Confuciansm is an ethical  system and NOT a relegion, it may be practiced in unison with  christianity. All the evicence that I have found points that this  thesis is true.Father Matteo Ricci, S.J. went to china to convert the  chinese people in 581. he agrees with me. Apparently a Later Pope  Condemned this practice of incorporating Confucian Philosophy into  Chinese catholicism. Is what I am doing wrong?
 
 
  sam
 
 

[miss_fluffy]

From what I understand, most of confuscianism deals with things like natural heirarchy and such, and not religious practices.  However, I do think that the asian practice of Ancestral worship is tied into Confuscianism, and that aspect smells a bit like idolatry.  Unless of course, the ancestors are saints, which I'm sure rarely happens if ever.

 

Edited to add: perhaps you could simply compare Confuscist heirarchy with Christian heirarchy?  Or compare the ethical principals behind each?

[gladius_veritatis]

My thesis is as Follows: Because Confucianism is an ethical system and NOT a religion, it may be practiced in unison with Christianity.

Is this thesis able to be changed; i.e., did you choose it, or was it given to you? 

 

I AM NOT saying it definitely has to be changed, as I have not even really considered it much as of yet, but I am asking.   If it bothers you, and you are free to change, then just change the thesis.

[Extraecclesiamnullasalus]

I made it up yes. and i could change it, but my teacher would not be  pleased, and i would have to do more research on a new thesis, and i  would have to make a new thesis.
 
  Ancestestoral Worship, according to  Father Ricci, S.J. is just  praising the good deads of ancestors, and celebrating their lives.
 
 
 
 

[gladius_veritatis]

I made it up yes. and i could change it, but my teacher would not be pleased, and i would have to do more research on a new thesis, and i would have to make a new thesis.
Ancestral Worship, according to  Father Ricci, S.J. is just praising the good deeds of ancestors, and celebrating their lives.

Fr. Ricci must have been in 1581, or some year after St. Ignatius, yes?  There were no Jesuits in 581.  Regardless of his era, if you have summed up his idea correctly here, it sounds suspect to me, as the word "worship" clearly indicates something more than praising deeds and celebrating their lives (which actually just sounds like an NO funeral to me - white vestments, Eagle's Wings, etc.).   

 

You could, if you choose, show how it is not compatible with the Faith, should the evidence you find demonstrate that.  This way, you have the same subject, but a different thesis/conclusion.  An idea, anyway.  I will check out some stuff on the web for you, if you like, getting a better idea of this philosophical system.  I can get back to you about it.  Just tell me your thoughts on the matter, and if I can help, I will (NO, I will not do the report).

Here is a link to an article on confucianism from the Cath. Ency.: www.newadvent.org/cathen/04223b.htm

 

The first and last paragraphs would indicate unity (or some kind of harmony) between the systems cannot be found.

[miss_fluffy]

Perhaps you can go over Ancestral Worship in your report and outline how, when practiced properly, as Fr. Ricci indicated, that it is not conflicting.  I think if you factually state that there is a possible problem with Ancestral worship being idolatry, and how a Confuscist can change their perspective on the practice in order to avoid idolatry, then it would still work with the same thesis.

[Extraecclesiamnullasalus]

well here is the problem: It can not be centred around christianity or  about christianity. My teacher gave me a lot of leaway to even be able  to include christainity in my paper at all. I am under a lot of  pressure to DO this topic, with this thesis. It is certainly arguable  that Confucius is the "Aristotle of China" as Father Ricci said in  1581. So is this a sin?
 
 
  sam
 
 

[Extraecclesiamnullasalus]

are papal bulls infallibile?
 

[gladius_veritatis]

Just point out the naturally good points in it (as credit must be given where it is due), but do not pass over the erroneous portions in silence (as if they did not exist).  You can do so even without bringing Catholicism into the question, if you want.

 

A thesis can be proved incorrect, and you can simply say to the teacher that upon looking into it, you discovered the thesis was not tenable (could not actually be held reasonably or safely).

[gladius_veritatis]

are papal bulls infallible?

More so than Confucius!

 

They are, in all the examples I can think of (which is by no means exhaustive), part of the universal ordinary magisterium, and, as such, are infallible.  There are other considerations, too, but that is really for another thread.  If there is a Bull saying the two do not go together, you can bank on the fact that they do not.