Confucianism

1. I believe that this sort of religion. I believe it's more of a philosophy rather than religion. In a religious text, there are strict rules and guidelines to follow, God is mentioned a lot, there's reference to heaven and hell, and everyone must be good endless they want to have a horrible afterlife. In this text, however, there are rules, but they make it seem you don't necessarily have to follow them; there's a choice. They don't mention any God, just a Master, and they only make reference to Heaven a couple times.

2. This reading does support having people born neutral. In book I, chapter VI, the text says, "The Master said, 'A youth, when at home, should be filial, and, abroad, respectful to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love to all, and cultivate the friendship of the good. When he has time and opportunity, after the performance of these things, he should employ them in polite studies.'" the word "should" is throughout that passage because it's showing how the child has a choice in what he wants to do. He can do the good things, or not do them and be bad. "The Master said, 'The superior man is catholic and no partisan. The mean man is partisan and not catholic.'" (II, XIV) this passage is showing how the man has a choice to either follow the religion that they deem "good," or to follow the religion that they deem "bad." The man has a choice though, to follow what he wants. "The Master said, 'I do not know how a man without truthfulness is to get on.'" (II, XXII). This certain passage is showing what the Master thinks about people who lie. Everyone has a choice as to wether or not they want to be truthful, or not truthful. The Master is merely stating how he feels about people who are untruthful.