My Opinion of Chinese and Western Belief——Confucianism vs Christianity I’ve selected the significant course--“Comparative Study of Chinese Culture and Western Culture” during the first sysmester of my postgraduate study. After Professor Chen’s illustration and classmates’presentation, I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of Chinese and western culture. I took the great interest in the lecture which referred the topic--“Chinese and western belief”. After the lecture I did some research which includes reading some classics about Confucianism in the library, visiting the Shamian Church of Our Lady of Lourdes to know something more about Christianity to write this report .From my point of view, belief is the spiritual motivation for human beings to pursue the happiness, and is the highest sublimation of the view on world, life and values. The beliefs are polynary no matter in which period and which country, therefore, I just put forward the Confucianism in China and Christianity in western world as an example to talk about beliefs.Confucianism is a traditional belief which has been followed by the Chinese for more than two millennia. No one can doubt its great and deep impact on both spiritual and political life in Chinese society. Confucius brought forward the earliest social virtue system and social rules, and this was great progress in Chinese history. The standard of virtue advocated by Confucianism was regarded as the common rule and the code of conduct. The philosophy of confucious always more or less reflect the traditional Chinese moral or spiritual values. In my opinion, some of his ideas are not suitable to this society now, but they can give us enlightenment to think about today dialectically. I acknowledge that most of what confucious has proposed are also of much importance in modern times. There are still many important virtues such as the thought of filial piety and equal education for all people without discrimination and so forth. What I most appreciate is that Confucianism is characterized by a highly optmistic view of human nature. The faith in the possibility of ordinary human beings to become awe-inspiring sages, and the insistence that human beings are teachable, improvable, and perfectible through personal and communal endeavour.In most recent years, people use a more rational state of mind to look at the wisdom in Confucianism. Strictly speaking, Confucianism is not a religion but more a belief, it is succinct as well as intensive in that the meaning behind the amazing words is of far-reaching significance. Confucianism is an integral part of Chinese society and an important part of world cultural heritage.In so far as western belief, we have to mention that one of the most valuble faiths --Christianity. There is a quotation from Sam Pascoe(a writer who studies Christianity)--"Christianity started out in Palestine as a fellowship; it moved to Greece and became a philosophy; it moved to Italy and became an institution; it moved to Europe and became a culture; it came to America and became an belief."Thus, we can see that Christianity is deeply rooted in the hearts of western people, as well as palying a significant role in western society.The nature of human beings is the most widely divergent point between Confucianism and Christianity. Many Christians believe that people are born and remain sinful and salvation is a free gift of God. They will be saved by repenting of sin and trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior during their life on earth. After death, a very few go directly to heaven; others go permanently to hell for eternal punishment without any hope of relief. To avoid going to the hell and get the redemption, people can only do things in accordance with the will of God and pray devoutly. Their destination depends on the good and evil deeds that they have performed during life, and their exact status with regard to the sacraments at the time of their death.It from the communication with the Christians who serve in Shamian church that I knew that the essence of Christianity can be summarized in one word - "universal fraternity". In the eyes of Jesus, universal fraternity is divided into two aspects: to love God and others as themselves. Jesus once said: "You must treat the God with dedication and all love, and this is the first and greatest commandment; the second largest is similar, that is, you should love others as yourself. Christianity requires people love and serve God wholeheartedly in daily life. Christianity is strictly monotheistic, opposed to polytheism and idolatry and recognizes only the Lord God as the highest God. "Love others as yourself" is the basic norms of Christianity, andits requirements are: people should be self-improvement, should be strict with themselves, and lenient towards others. People should also be patient and remissive, love the enemies and thus oppose to violence. As long as you can reach the above requirements, you’ll achieve the highest state of love –“Love others as yourself”.In conclusion, when regarding Confucianism and Christianity as beliefs, they exert an imperceptible influence on people's thinking and behavior at any time and any place. Although some Chinese people may not believe in Confucianism directly and distinctly, what they think and do unconsciously follows the guidance advocated by Confucianism to some extent. However, there are some overt differences between Confucianism and Christianity, and I put forward some obvious points as below.1. Confucianism believes that all humanity is good and always striving to be better, be loyal and upright, while Christianity thinks that people are born and remain sinful, and people pursue all forms of salvation.2. Confucianism puts an emphasis on sympathizing over others when they are suffering. They are always seeking for a higher sense of sympathy for people. However, Christianity holds that suffering is a very valuable experience, which is the test and spiritual baptism from God.3. Confucianism do believe in heaven, they call it, but that it is silent. Unlike Confucianism, Christianity believes the most holy God with which they can make dialogue whenever and wherever possible without any limitations.4. Confucianism focus on comprehensive truths rather than logic. They feel the more comprehensive the closer it is to the truth. On the contrary, Christianity uses a very rational and logical vision to look at everything.5. Confucianism also entails the belief that the ultimate personal harmony in life, and there’s nothing to do with “T'ien”. Christianity believes that God is superior to everything and God is closely connected with human beings no matter during their life on earth or after death.。