Religion.

 

1.   Outline the major teachings of Confucius.

 

2. A.  Identify and describe the four major caste groups in India. 

    B.  What social, economic, and human rights issues do caste practices create in modern India?

 

3.    In trying to understand the negative side of organized religion, some people have argued that religious violence is carried out when people misuse or misinterpret their religion. Others, however, argue that the widespread nature of religious violence suggests that religion itself may be the problem.  Which view do you consider to be more convincing and why?

1.   Outline the major teachings of Confucius.

The most important of these teachings include jen, or "humaneness;" i, or "righteousness;" li, or "propriety/ritual;" and hsing, or "human nature." Hsiao, or "filial piety," is also a vital concept, one that is central for young people growing up in the Confucian tradition. 

Jen, or humaneness, is probably the most commonly mentioned of Confucian virtues and the single most important teaching of Confucianism. "Filial piety" is adoration and obedience for one's family, elders and ancestors.

Step-by-step explanation

2. A.  Identify and describe the four major caste groups in India.

The hindu caste or Varna system is properly known as the Laws of the manu, which were written about two thousand years ago. The Laws of Manu divided the Hindus into four major groups. These were;

• the Brahmin - the seers, the reflective ones, the priests.
  a. The intellectual and spiritual leaders.
  b. In our society, they would correspond to the philosophers, religious leaders, and teachers.
• the kshatriyas - the born administrators (formerly nobles, rajahs, and warriors).
  a. The protectors of society.
  b. In our society, the politicians, police, and the military.
• the Vasishyas - the producers, the craftsmen, artisans, farmers.
  a. The skillful producers of material things.
  b. In our society, the merchants.
• the Sudhras - the unskilled laborers or laboring class.
  a. The followers or the maintenance people.
  b. The so-called menial workers or hard laborers.

Under the original caste system, the Brahmins were the priests and men of learning, The kshatriyas, rulers and wariors; the Vesishyas, traders and businessmen; and the Sudhras, workers.

B.  What social, economic, and human rights issues do caste practices create in modern India?

In modern India, economic competition and education are predominate, and the Brahmans occupy this position in both aspects. The caste system is a significant social system in India. One's caste affects their options regarding marriage, employment, education, economies, mobility, housing and politics, among others. Caste plays a role at every stage of an Indian's economic life, in school, university, the labor market, and into old age. The influence of caste extends beyond private economic activity into the public sphere, where caste politics determine access to public resources.

3.    In trying to understand the negative side of organized religion, some people have argued that religious violence is carried out when people misuse or misinterpret their religion. Others, however, argue that the widespread nature of religious violence suggests that religion itself may be the problem.  Which view do you consider to be more convincing and why?

I would say the argument that says religious violence is carried out when people misuse or misinterpret their religion sounds more convincing to me. Religion can often help people better themselves and help the lives of others. However, there are those of the belief that religion can do the opposite, causing people to be violent. Religion often gets blamed for acts of violence including suicide, martyrdom and terrorism.

Due to the power of religion and the extent to which it plays a role in people's lives, it is not hard to believe that religion may "recode" or change the way that people think about certain aspects of life. People interpret religious texts and practices differently. Depending on one's interpretation, religion can often sway the way that one thinks about the world.

I however, in conclusion would say that religion itself is not the problem, instead, it all depends on the way  that people choose to interpret religion that can provide them with justification for violent actions. This can be especially dangerous and probably leads to many of the violent disputes between the world's religions.