Confucianism isn't much about beliefs, but more about social arrangements and ethics. In my taste, there is a little too much rigidity, authoritarianism and patriarchal ism, and I have always preferred the more open-minded, relaxed and friendly Taoism. Confucianism has always been the philosophy of the state, authority and elite, whereas Taoism has far more been a philosophy of the people, the poets and the spiritual thinkers.
But basically, also Confucianism has a very humane and respectful set of ethics, so my opinion is just an issue of comparing, not of really judging.
It addresses ethics, your role in the family to honor your elders, as family is the basic building block of a society, and all the suggestions of ethics apply as you work your way out to neighborhood, community, city, nation, world. Confucius was the first man credited with uttering the golden rule, but he worded it Thessaly: "do not do anything to another that you do not want done to you." Of course I paraphrased but putting it in the negative, "do not do..." is all him. His teachings were deeply woven into Chinese culture and government and Chairman Mao had a hard time eradicating them. Confucius teachings may at first come across as socialism, and in many ways it is, but from the individual out instead of the government down. His teachings were wise and effective, but he never addressed the idea of any deity.
The man was rejected during his life and his teachings only resurrected once the Ruling Class understood that they could use it to maintain the masses in servitude.
Subservience of the many to the few and eventually up the ladder to a one is not my idea of a good philosophy.
Of course certain political leaders today are trying to reinstall this type of society.
confucianism..?
