Chapter 4

First we start off learning a bit about China and it’s relations with Confucianism and Daoism. After so we are given classical cultural traditions from Chinese thinkers. The Legalist answer is the solutions lays in rules and laws. Ones actions would be justified by reward or punishment. The Confucian answer was being superior to one less of you. The Daoist answer had to do with being one with nature. Breaking away from politics and social activism. After, we read about different types of religious beliefs such as Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, and Judaism. Hinduism is the belief of many gods and goddesses. Closely related to Buddhism, it spread quickly throughout south Asian religious tradition. Zoroastrianism was an emphasis on the free will of humankind. People following Zoroastrianism believed that one must choose between good and evil. Born in Israel, Judaism was the belief of only one god, a god called Yahweh. Hebrews devoted themselves to this new religious belief, giving Yahweh all of their loyalty just as he demanded. Five hundred years after these beliefs, came along Jesus and Christianity.

Reading about Jesus is always interesting because of what he did during his lifetime.  A baby born from a virgin mother turns out to be the Son of God. He wields the powers of God, making everyone believe, and not believe in him. Little known fact is that Jesus never had the intention of creating a new religion. His goal was to introduce his own traditions onto other people. And because of that, Jesus was able to gain many followers and unwilling create his own religion. All of his followers believed in Jesus to be the Son of God. Also, his resurrection after three days increased his followers and gave him greater connections with them.