| − | :''Taoist [[ethics]] are concerned less with doing good acts than with becoming a good person who lives in harmony with all things and people.'' Because of this, devoted Taoists tend to be nice and accommodating people. | + | :''Taoist [[ethics]] are concerned less with doing good acts than becoming a good person who lives in harmony with all things and people.'' Because of this, devoted Taoists tend to be nice and accommodating people. |
| − | Nonetheless, it is important to distinguish between Taoism as a [[philosophy]] (as described above) and Taoism as a [[religion]]. Taoist philosophies are readily compatible with most world religious views, and are most similar philosophically in some ways to Buddhism. Taoist religious practices include numerous [[occult]] [[ritual]]s including 'internal alchemy' -- the ingestion of [[mineral]]s and [[herb]]s to supposedly restore balance to one's [[Yin]] and [[Yang]] energies—and the invocation of various Chinese [[pagan]] [[deitty|deities]]. For Christians, such religious Taoism shares many of the dangerous traits of other primitive pagan faiths and lacks the spiritual substance of the [[Judaism|Judeo]]-[[Christian]] traditions. | + | Nonetheless, it is important to distinguish between Taoism as a [[philosophy]] (as described above) and Taoism as a [[religion]]. Taoist philosophies are readily compatible with most world religious views, and are most similar philosophically in some ways to Buddhism. Taoist religious practices include numerous [[occult]] [[ritual]]s including 'internal alchemy' -- the ingestion of [[mineral]]s and [[herb]]s to supposedly restore balance to one's [[Yin]] and [[Yang]] energies—and the invocation of various Chinese [[pagan]] [[deity|deities]]. For Christians, such religious Taoism shares many of the dangerous traits of other primitive pagan faiths and lacks the spiritual substance of the [[Judaism|Judeo]]-[[Christian]] traditions. |
| − | The ideal of the Taoist 'Sage' is one who ultimately removes themselves completely from society (see [[renunciation]] and [[hermit]]) in order to avoid the [[immoral]] dangers of society's [[moral degeneration]]. The goal of this hermit-like renunciation and reclusive life is to more easily [[meditation|meditate]] on the Tao in order to go to the Taoist conception of [[heaven]]. | + | The ideal Taoist 'Sage' ultimately removes themselves completely from society (see [[renunciation]] and [[hermit]]) to avoid the [[immoral]] dangers of society's [[moral degeneration]]. The goal of this hermit-like renunciation and reclusive life is to more easily [[meditation|meditate]] on the Tao in order to go to the Taoist conception of [[heaven]]. |
| − | Taoism originated in [[China]]. Accurate figures for the number of believers of Taoism are elusive, for two reasons. Firstly, Taoism is a loosely defined faith, so some people don't even realize they're practicing it. Secondly, the [[Communist]] Chinese government does not record most religions in its [[census]]es, on account of the government's anti-religious stance. However, Taoism is one of the five religions officially recognized by the Chinese government, the others being (in order of prevalence) [[Buddhism]], [[Islam]] (due to the eastern provinces), [[Protestant]] [[Christianity]], [[Catholicism]].<ref>South China Morning Post, April 30, 2007, www.scmp.com</ref> | + | Taoism originated in [[China]]. Accurate figures for the number of believers in Taoism are elusive, for two reasons. Firstly, Taoism is a loosely defined faith, so some people don't even realize they're practicing it. Secondly, the [[Communist]] Chinese government does not record most religions in its [[census]]es, on account of the government's anti-religious stance. However, Taoism is one of the five religions officially recognized by the Chinese government, the others being (in order of prevalence) [[Buddhism]], [[Islam]] (due to the eastern provinces), [[Protestant]] [[Christianity]], [[Catholicism]].<ref>South China Morning Post, April 30, 2007, www.scmp.com</ref> |