Chinese people, do you wish that Taoism was more popular in China?
Unfortunately because of the political issues in the past all types of religious philosophy were suppressed resulting in most Chinese today not following any religion. I wasn't raised in any religion either, but reading about Taoism makes me want to learn more about this philosophy, and it seems like a such a good thing to follow. And part of me feels bad that so many Chinese lost this religion.
Would you ever want to see a China where Taoism is fully revived among the population? I find Christianity to be such a simple religion that does not answer life's questions. My mother was once a Christian. But my mother is from Hong Kong anyway.
@*** - I like the Chinese government, and my comments were not about Chinese government today. I was referring to back in the day under Mao, where religion was very restricted and seen as something evil, which is why so many people in mainland China are no longer practicing Taoism or Buddhism.
Lil Your Chinese and even you buy into the western notion that the Chinese are scary commies out for blood.
Truth is, China is much more free then American media leads you to believe. Religion isn't really regulated by the government, especially native Chinese religions such as Taoism/Confucianism. Buddhism enjoys popularity in China and many people are a mix between the native religions and Buddhism. Many people worship deities like Guan Yu (Chinese general during the three kingdom period) and also worship Buddhist deities. China isn't as restrictive as many foreigners think, the media always use China as a bogeyman. Just because the government is la belled as communist, doesn't mean their bad. Imperial Japan la belled itself as democratic. Look at all the bad stuff they've done. They probably did more damage in the world than the Nazis.
Taoism or Taoism as a philosophy has been very much alive among Chinese people until now. Even though most Chinese don't regard it as a religion or consciously consider it part of their mentality, most of them are deeply influenced by Taoism's fundamental principles "Wu Wei" or non action, naturalness, relativism..... It's easy to tell that compared to other ethnicity and heritage Chinese people are more subtle, reserved, pragmatic, their firm belief in yin and yang or balance is a result of Taoism's belief of natural harmony of the universe. Taoism is still very "popular" inside China.
*** is wrong
Chinese Communist Party only allow 5 religions, Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism. All others are not allowed. Religion freedom in Communist China is joke.
During the Cultural Revolution many temples and mosques and place of worship burned with fire.
Real Chinese outside of China such as Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore have real Chinese traditions, because they are not Communist.
Recently The stature of the founder of Confucianism has been made and put in Tiananman Square, which indicates that the Chinese government is planning to bring the theory of Confucianism back to Chinese people's life.
For Taoism, it is one of the philosophies but was never able to take the place of Confucianism because of the pessimistic concepts that included in the theory. I think, if the theory can answer the need of what people need, it would become popular automatically. Taoism can hardly be widely popular because of that part that I mentioned above plus the concept of ghost and souls in the theory that makes it look a little scary and superstitious.
One good news to you about China. Last week, Tajikistan gave back 1000 km out of 28,000 km disputed territory back to China. The territory had belonged to China but was occupied by Russia during the late Qing dynasty. Now, China has gotten back a bit of it, better than none. I am very happy about the Chinese government for the hard work and courage.
My grandfather of past, Lao Tzu, started Taoism, it is not a religion, but a way of life!
Twas passed down in the family, the true meaning of the Tao, I cannot tell this to you, but, I can tell you this..
You will be at peace, if, you let yourself be at peace.
You may not understand what that means--But, write it down, keep it with you until your an elder, and know the wisdom, then, look at it, and it will be known what it means.
Chinese people, do you wish that Taoism was more popular in China?
