World Religions Thesis Worksheet
Name_Any Student______Religion 1:___Taoism______Religion 2:__Confucianism___
THESIS STATEMENT:
____Taoism and Confucianism share the distinction of being philosophies rather than religions as related to their origins, but their respective founders, and therefore their fundamental teachings, are different.______
SIMILAR OR DIFFERENT/ TRAIT 1TOPIC SENTENCE:
__ Taoism and Confucianism share similar origins which contributed to each being labeled a theory or philosophical system rather than a religion. ______
Info./Example/Quote for Religion 1: Source(s) of Support: Guillements (279-281) “Basic Beliefs”___
_580-500 B.C. in China. Based on teachings of Lao-Tzu. “communal system of philosophical thought” Basic tenets: ethics of compassion and humility______
Info./Example/Quote for Religion 2: Source(s) of Support: _”Confucian for the Scholar”______
_551-479 B.C. in China. Based on teachings of Confucious. During Han Dynasty was named state religion. “ethical and philosophical system of social harmony” Basic tenets: relationships with others_
Transition Sentence:
__Although Taoism and Confucianism have similar historical beginnings, their founders are quite different.______
SIMILAR OR DIFFERENT/ TRAIT 2 TOPIC SENTENCE :
__Despite having lived during the same chaotic time in China, Taoist founder Lao-Tzu and______Confucious, founder of Confucianism, are vastly different.______
Info./Example/Quote for Religion 1: Source(s) of Support: _Guillements (41-45)______
_Legendary existence; may not have been real person. Oral tradition: conceived by shooting star & born an old wise man. Wrote Tao te Ching at request of border guard______
Info./Example/Quote for Religion 2: Source(s) of Support: __(“Confucious”)______
_Historical records. Lived during chaotic time & wanted to bring order to society. Spread message to aristocracy and poor alike in China. After death, his followers wrote teachings in Analects______
Transition Sentence:
__ Confucious and Lao Tzu, if he lived at all, clearly experienced very different lives, so it stands to reason they taught vastly different concepts to their followers.______
SIMILAR OR DIFFERENT/ TRAIT 3 TOPIC SENTENCE :
__Taoism and Confucianism are most clearly distinguishable in comparison of their core teachings. Taoism teaches spiritual, abstract ideas while Confucianism is more practical and concrete.______
Info./Example/Quote for Religion 1: Source(s) of Support: _Osprey (693-702) “Taoism Teachings”_
_Paradoxical philosophy: “To have much, give away all.” Purpose is to become one with the Tao (“The Way”) but Tao is undefineable. Central concept to attain: Wu Wei or “Action without action”_
Info./Example/Quote for Religion 2: Source(s) of Support: _”Confucian Thoughts” Osprey (693-702)_
__”The fundamental premise in Confucian teachings is the importance of education to morally develop people. If they have morals, they will do what’s right.” Set up complicated system of social, moral, political thought: Filial Piety, Ritual, Gentleman to dictate how to treat others and self.______
Transition Sentence:
__With Taoism teaching followers to refuse to be bound by society and Confucianism preaching strict social conformity, these two philosophies are really two sides of the same coin.______
REVIEW OF THESIS STATEMENT:
_Both Taoism and Confucianism, despite sharing their origins in China during the sixth century, are really not religions at all but “a way of life.” Lao Tzu, the legendary founder of Taoism, taught his followers to live a moral and ethical life by searching themselves and the Tao. Confucious on the other hand, taught his disciples to live a moral and ethical life through a series of rigid social rules.______