What's the difference between Reigious Taoism and Philisophical Taoism?

What's the difference between Reigious Taoism and Philisophical Taoism?

The leading person on this subject is Catholic :


John C Wu
http://www.amazon.com/Tao-Te-Ching-Shambhala-Library/dp/1570629617/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253388435&sr=1-2

Religious Taoism includes a lot of Chinese occult rituals that you almost have to be Chinese to understand and do. Philosophical Taoism is just a way to view the world - no complex rituals to perform.

It is debatable whether to call Taoism a religion at all because it idolizes no god/s and doesn't say those who don't believe will be cast down into the depths of Hell. It does mention a Heaven and a universal energy called the Tao, and so in this regards, I suppose it a religion. However, Taoism can also just be practiced as a guideline for how to live your life. This is Philosophical Taoism. This means that you can be a christian and still be a follower of Taoism (and many are).

Religious Taoism incorporates a pantheon of deities. A range of health related practices focuses on prolonging life through a range of rituals, exercises and alchemy. There are temples and different schools.

Philosophical Taoism however is based upon the concept of a ?pattern?, a ?flow? to the Universe. This can be seen in the changing of the seasons, the natural rhythms of the world. Philosophical Taoists like me believe that if we harmonies ourselves with the Universe, the Tao, our lives will go more smoothly than if we act against it. Philosophical Taoists could easily be atheists, though I tend towards pantheism myself.

Of course, it isn't really as neat as this. Philosophical Taoists may practice exercises such a Tai Chi Chuan. Not all religious Taoists practise alchemy. And so on. But maybe that's a start.

I'll star this for my contacts who can give a better answer.
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