Legal Rights in Confucianism: An Ancient Order of Diffused Religion

Confucianism, also referred as a diffused religion, was founded by Master Kong (551-479 B.C.E). Confucianism is a blend of social responsibility and ethical philosophy. It promotes legal rights through social values, and ideals of the conventional Chinese society. Confucianism not only emphasizes on social rituals but also promotes humaneness. It emphasizes on inner enlightenment and ethical maturation of a person. It incorporates a sense of religious identity and moral understanding among its followers.

The values of Confucianism are not imparted by any priest, in any religious institution, but by parents, teachers and officials, in families, schools and society. The Confucian values provide that family members should treat each other with love, care and respect. Further, Confucianism emphasizes on behavioral norms, kindness and human relationships. The principles of Confucianism are revived periodically and are in accordance with everyday life.

Legal Rights in Confucianism: Revival in Modern China

Confucianism became a widely accepted ideology under the Han Emperor Wu (r. 140-87 B.C.E.). Further, other emperors popularized Confucianism, by village lectures and civic awards to public. Also, the royal families and other dignitaries sponsored the publication of morality books, to bestow Confucian values and ethics among people.

However, the since the Cultural Revolution, the moral concepts of Confucian has lost their significance, in China.  The legal rights of people are reported to have been suppressed by force. During the revolution the Communist Party encouraged children to turn against their parents and students to turn against their teachers. Further, rebellious behavior and values that violated the Confucian morals were promoted, following which the world knows how human rights violations spiraled in China with various political forms of support.