World Religions, Wk 21 – Comparing Full Gospel to Taoism (‘dowism) beliefs WELCOME! Coffee, donuts and snacks are available in the Lobby! But First, Changes to Our classes! • December 01 – Taoism • December 08 – Judaism • December 15 - Islam • December 22 – Open. Christmas Party? Giving out certificates • December 22 – Evening Service; Photo Year in Review by Dad Henke • December 29 – No class – only 1 service, and then Pastor Arnie’s Retirement Luncheon after the 10:45 AM Service. • No evening Service Taoism is a Philosophy • Taoism (or Daoism) is one of the main strands of traditional Chinese philosophy. • Taoism is often listed as one of the major world religions, but many of its adherents don’t consider themselves to be followers of a “religion.” This has caused some debate about whether Taoism should be considered a philosophy or a religion • It gets its name from the idea of the Dao, which means “the way,” which is the reality beyond human perception, a reality that Taoists strongly associate with the yin-yang sign, which symbolizes the Taoist belief in matched opposites: light and dark, hot and cold, wet and dry, masculine and feminine. • In Taoism, good and evil are illusions. Chinese Believe in a Mixture of Both. Questions asked by both: Confucianism Taoism • How can justice and social • What is the true nature order be preserved? of existence? • What are our duties and • How can we find inner responsibilities in life? peace? • What does it mean to be a good parent/student/friend, • What can people do to be happy? etc.? History of Taoism • Taoism was founded by a philosopher named Laozi (LAO-dzuh) who supposedly lived in China some time around 400 BC; believed to be a human being without any divinity. • It isn’t even completely clear that Lao Tzu really existed; he may be a figure of legend only. • Taoism became the official religion of China for over a thousand years, ending in 1911. • Taoism suffered a serious blow in 1949, when Communists came to power. They believed that traditional Chinese culture needed to be erased so that China could be reborn for a new age History of Taoism - II • After 1949, many Taoist temples were ripped down, monks were arrested, and ancient copies of the Dao De Ching were burned. • Today, however, Taoism is slowly recovering from this violence, and it continues to be influential in traditional Chinese culture. • Now, only about 12 million Chinese follow Taoism. (33M profess Christianity) • CIP: Star Wars shows many influences from Taoism, especially in the teachings of Yoda. • For example; “No, no, there is no why! Nothing more will I teach you today. Clear your mind of questions!” (Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back) • Newer Thoughts have been added; “Empty your mind. Be formless. Shapeless. Like water. When you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot – it becomes the teapot. But water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” (Bruce Lee) Taoism’s Holy Books • Dao De Ching has been an important religious text for the people of classical China. • It is a small book of less than one hundred short sayings, poems, and aphorisms.(aka, general truths) • It doesn’t talk in any detail about gods or goddess, the afterlife, or other important religious topics. • It has many old quotes, such as: • “A bowl is most useful when it is empty.” (Laozi) • “The clouds above us join and separate. The breeze in the courtyard leaves and returns. Life is like that, so why not relax?” (Lu Yu) Teachings of Taoism - I • In Chinese culture there is no philosophical or religious Taoism • There’s just Taoism, and the philosophy and rituals are all part of the same ideology. • The Cosmic Dao, or the Way of the Cosmos, is an indeterminate force or principle that latently contains all things and spontaneously generates the universe through its constant rhythmic fluctuations. Humanity will flourish only if its dao, or “way,” is attuned with this natural order • Taoism can be summarized as simply as: • Taoism is acceptance of your life. Taoism is following your breath to find peace. Taoism is opening up a smile to enable possibility Comparing Christianity to Taoism (SMP) Christianity • Christians believe the ideal life is found in living in accord with the will of God, with His grace and help • For Christians, Jesus was both fully human and fully divine and; and was historical person • Christians embrace the existence of at least some absolute moral values • The existence of evil, rather than being a part of a larger, perfect harmony, is evidence of satan; and human sinfulness. Taoism • In Taoism, the ideal life is to live in harmony with the Tao, the great Way of nature • They believe that all values are relative. (changeable) • Taoism insists that true harmony, a true balance that reflects how the universe is a constant interplay of yang and yin, Biblical Evaluation (Boa) • There is no personal Creator/God in any form in Taoism. • It is polytheistic and animistic • Instead is involved with nature, mysticism and impersonal principles • Sin and morality are minimized in Taoism • There are many heavens and hells • Salvation is achieved by following Taoism (the way). A person must commit themselves to Taoism and live a life of simplicity and quietness. • But, Taoism has degenerated into a system of magical practices and incantations. • It’s priests sell charms against demons and evil spirits of the dead. Christians pray against such things. •This it for today! •Have a great Sunday, week, and month! •Next week, we will discuss Judaism in more depth than in Week 2 Zoroastrianism Zoroastrianism References: • Boa, Kenneth, Cults, World Religions, and the Occult (Pages 44-50) Victor Books, SP Publications, 1990 • Daoism, Chinese Philosophy & religion, Retrieved on November 29, 2019 from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Daoism • https://www.smp.org/resourcecenter/resource/10374/ • Religions & Beliefs in China, retrieved November 29, 2019 from https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/religion/
