Is Confucianism a "religion"?

[Argh]

Hey there, hope I am posting in the correct place:

Does the Church consider Confucianism itself a religion? My curiosity has been peaked after finding out China is celebrating Confucius’ birthday! What a reversal from just a few decades ago…but I digress.

I am aware of the Rites Controversy of the early 17th century and that sometime later, the decision regarding “ancestor worship” was reversed. In fact, I remember seeing a memorial written by the Pope urging Chinese Catholics to honor God and their ancestors at the Vatican exhibit that toured the U.S. and made a long stay at the Milwaukee Public Museum =)

I guess a better question would be does the Church see “ancestral worship” as actual worship?

Even better, does someone know of a database (hopefully online) where I could search for such things?

thanks!

 

[Contarini]

Hey there, hope I am posting in the correct place:

Does the Church consider Confucianism itself a religion? My curiosity has been peaked after finding out China is celebrating Confucius’ birthday! What a reversal from just a few decades ago…but I digress.

I am aware of the Rites Controversy of the early 17th century and that sometime later, the decision regarding “ancestor worship” was reversed. In fact, I remember seeing a memorial written by the Pope urging Chinese Catholics to honor God and their ancestors at the Vatican exhibit that toured the U.S. and made a long stay at the Milwaukee Public Museum =)

I guess a better question would be does the Church see “ancestral worship” as actual worship?

Even better, does someone know of a database (hopefully online) where I could search for such things?

thanks!

We just did Confucianism in my World Religions class. I teach Confucianism as a religion but point out that the classification could be questioned (however, the definition of “religion” is so controversial that you can question whether nearly any religion is “really a religion”). Confucius’s own teachings are probably best classified as philosophy, though the line between philosophy and religion is blurry of course. However, as you note the Chinese have historically had temples to Confucius and venerated him. This is of course one manifestation of ancestor veneration, and you’re right: this has been a debate among Catholics historically. I think it’s particularly tricky for Catholics because of the latria/dulia distinction. It seems pretty clear to me that what ancestors are offered is dulia rather than latria. I think the question is whether any dead person other than a Christian saint can legitimately be offered dulia.

Edwin