Question

Other religions and philosophies thrive in Asia. Confucianism is popular in China, while Shinto was once the state religion of Japan.

Confucius (551-479 BCE) was a philosopher and teacher in China. Some people confuse his philosophies with religion, but they were more ways of thinking and behaving than a spiritual set of beliefs. His ideas about virtue, family and society became the foundation for the moral code of China. He thought that children should respect their parents, citizens should obey their government and people should adhere to high standards of behavior if they expect others to.

Buddhism is often mixed with Shinto in Japan; in fact, most people there practice both. Shinto is another ancient religion, dating back to about 500 BCE. It's based on the idea of kami, or the Shinto deities. But they're not gods like the omnipotent gods of other religions; they are more like spirit forces that look after humans and help them. They’re often found in natural objects or creatures and in special people. There are four affirmations in Shinto: honor of tradition and family; love of nature; physical cleanliness; and matsuri, the worship of kami. People who believe in Shinto often incorporate other ideas into their religion, like Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism.

What are kami?
Choose one option
A
rules of Confucian philosophy
B
the four affirmations of Shinto
C
practitioners of Shinto
D
spiritual forces that help people

Answer 1

D — spiritual forces that help people