Jesus Christ vs. Confucius

Written by Frank Li

After comparing China with Ancient Greece (Ancient Greece vs. Ancient China), Ancient Rome (Ancient Rome vs. Ancient China), the era of the Byzantine Empire (The Era of the Byzantine Empire vs. Ancient China), and the Spanish & British Empires (Spanish & British Empires vs. China), let me now compare two important historical figures: Jesus Christ vs. Confucius.

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1. Overview

One of the biggest differences between the West and China is religion. Specifically, while Christianity has significantly impacted western civilizations and governance over the past 2,000 years (e.g. Rome and the U.K.), there has never been a serious (organized) religion in China, which has by far the longest continuous civilization in human history.

What, then, is the top secret behind the long running success of Chinese civilization? Confucius, aside from the First Emperor!

Since I have already done my best to help you, my fellow Americans, better understand the First Emperor (e.g. Ancient Rome vs. Ancient China), let me now try my best to help you better understand Confucius, especially in comparison with Jesus Christ.

2. Jesus Christ

Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia – Jesus Christ.

Jesus[e] (/ˈdÊ’iËzÉ™s/ JEE-zuss; c. 4 BC – c. AD 30/33), also referred to as Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Christ,[f] was a Jewish preacher and religious leader who became the central figure of Christianity.[13] Christians believe him to be the Son of God and the awaited Messiah (Christ) prophesied in the Old Testament.[14][15]

Virtually all modern scholars of antiquity agree that Jesus existed historically,[g] although the quest for the historical Jesus has produced little agreement on the historical reliability of the Gospels and on how closely the biblical Jesus reflects the historical Jesus.[22][23][24] Jesus was a Galilean Jew[13] who was baptized by John the Baptist and subsequently began his own ministry, preaching his message orally[25] and often being referred to as “rabbi“.[26] He was arrested and tried by the Jewish authorities,[27] and was crucified by the order of Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect.[28] Jesus debated fellow Jews on how to best follow God, performed healings, taught in parables and gathered followers.[28] After his death, his followers believed he rose from the dead, and the community they formed eventually became the Christian Church.[29]

For more on Jesus Christ, watch the long video below.

3. Confucius

Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia – Confucius.

Confucius (/kÉ™nˈfjuËʃəs/; September 28, 551 BC – 479 BC)[1][2] was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history.

The philosophy of Confucius emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. His followers competed successfully with many other schools during the Hundred Schools of Thought era only to be suppressed in favor of the Legalists during the Qin Dynasty. Following the victory of Han over Chu after the collapse of Qin, Confucius’ thoughts received official sanction and were further developed into a system known in the West as Confucianism.

Confucius is traditionally credited with having authored or edited many of the Chinese classic texts including all of the Five Classics, but modern scholars are cautious of attributing specific assertions to Confucius himself. Aphorisms concerning his teachings were compiled in the Analects, but only many years after his death.

Confucius’s principles had a basis in common Chinese tradition and belief. He championed strong family loyalty, ancestor veneration, and respect of elders by their children and of husbands by their wives. He also recommended family as a basis for ideal government. He espoused the well-known principle “Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself”, the Golden Rule.

For more on Confucius, watch the short video below.

4. Jesus vs. Confucius

Here is what they have in common:

1. Both were provocative thought leaders at their respective times.
2. Both worked hard to spread their morals and ideals.
3. Their teachings are highly relevant even to this date. As an example, read: America: What Did Confucius Mean?

Here is where they are keenly different:

1. Jesus Christ became the core of Christianity and its “Savior”, while Confucius remained simply a philosopher.
2. Christianity is worldwide, while Confucianism is mostly regional (i.e. China and some of its neighboring countries, such as Japan and the two Koreas).

Here is the key difference between them: Confucius was unquestionably a real person, while the legend of Jesus Christ could have been mostly man-made! For example, do you really believe in virgin birth? Two informative readings about Christianity and Jesus Christ:

1. Did the Romans Create both Christianity and Islam?
2. The True Authorship of the New Testament. Below is an excerpt:

Professor Bruno Bauer, in his work of 1877 “Christ and the Caesars”, stated that he had concluded that the Romans had authored the New Testament and that Flavius Josephus was the inventor of Jesus.

5. Discussion

What’s the key difference between western civilizations and Chinese civilization?

Western civilizations were primarily shaped by the Romans, who very likely created Christianity, as we know it today, as the tool of realizing the elusive Roman dream of “one state, one society, and one ideology (i.e. Christianity).” Because of that, Christianity has not only thrived in the West, but also overshadowed everything else, such as philosophies, be they Greek or even Roman.

In contrast, Chinese civilization was primarily defined by the First Emperor, with his more realistic and achievable goal of “one written language, one culture, and one Emperor”. Because of that, there has never been any serious (organized) religion in China. Instead, philosophers like Confucius have been widely appreciated.

What, then, is the key difference between religion and philosophy? It is faith vs. reasoning – Which one is better? You reason and decide!

Unfortunately, most westerners do not really understand China. Therefore, they cannot possibly truly understand the West, because everything is relative. Two recent examples:

1. A new book: The Souls of China.
2. A book review in Wall Street Journal: China’s Great Awakening.

Below is an excerpt from the book review:

In “The Souls of China,” Ian Johnson reports on the religious revival that followed, in which China’s five mainstream faiths – Buddhism, Daoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism – have grown to 300 million people.

What a garbage book followed by a garbage book review! There has never been any serious (organized) religion in China, nor will there ever be! For more, read: Church vs. State and Towards an Ideal Form of Government (Version 3).

Why such a garbage book followed by such a garbage book review? To sell the book (and the newspaper), truth notwithstanding! Remember, the Bible remains the best-selling book in human history. Because of that, anything in favor of the Bible sells more!

Any doubt about my cynical view of America’s mainstream media (Brainwashing in Communism and in Democracy)? Read the two books below and reason for yourself – As a pair, they are a modern day example of faith vs. reasoning, especially in terms of China vs. the U.S.!

6. Closing

Great civilizations come and go, with one major exception: China – come, go, and come again! Therefore, it’s time for the West to truly understand China, which is very different from the West. Hopefully you find this simple, but profound, comparison between Jesus Christ and Confucius helpful.

For much more on Confucius, watch the long video below.