How is Egypt and Ancient China different based on Religion and Philosophy (EXAMPLES: religious beliefs and practices, ideas regarding
humans, life on earth and/or the after life)
They are alike in many ways (polytheistic religion, Both believe there is life after death) but I need help listing ways they are different.
Read, read, read!
http://www.eternalegypt.org/EternalEgyptWebsiteWeb/HomeServlet?ee_website_action_key=action.display.topic.details&language_id=1&trait_item_id=10000234
http://www.ancient.eu/Greek_Philosophy/
http://www.ancient.eu/Greek_Religion/
http://www.bing.com/search?q=ancient+chinese+philosophy+and+religion&form=EDGNTC&qs=PF&cvid=d1138a0d8afd4897994a898a92f7749e&pq=ancient%20chinese%20philosophy%20and%20religion
To understand the differences between Egypt and Ancient China based on religion and philosophy, we can examine some key aspects of their respective beliefs and practices.
First, let's consider religious beliefs and practices:
1. Deities: In ancient Egypt, the religion revolved around a polytheistic belief system with a pantheon of gods and goddesses. These deities were often associated with natural elements or specific aspects of life. In contrast, ancient China had a more complex religious landscape, including a combination of ancestral worship, animism, and a belief in various deities associated with different realms (such as heaven, earth, and water).
2. Religious Structures: Egyptian religion heavily influenced society, with temples serving as important centers for worship and religious ceremonies. The pharaohs played a significant role in religious rituals. In ancient China, religious practices were more diverse and often incorporated into everyday life, centered around ancestral worship at home or communal shrines.
Next, let's look at ideas regarding humans, life on earth, and the afterlife:
1. View of Humans: In ancient Egypt, humans were believed to have divine essence and the potential for an afterlife. The pharaoh and elites were considered semi-divine. In Ancient China, the philosophical views of Confucianism emphasized social order and harmony with a focus on moral values that governed social relationships, such as the five key relationships.
2. Views on Life and Afterlife: Ancient Egyptians believed in life after death, which influenced their burial practices and the construction of elaborate tombs and pyramids. The concept of "ka" formed the foundation of their belief in an afterlife. Ancient Chinese religious and philosophical beliefs varied across different regions and time periods. However, the belief in ancestor veneration was predominant, emphasizing maintaining a connection with deceased ancestors and the performance of ancestral rituals.
To summarize, while both ancient Egypt and China shared some common aspects, such as polytheistic beliefs and a belief in an afterlife, there were significant differences in their religious practices and philosophical perspectives. Egyptian religion centered around a well-defined pantheon and the worship of gods, while Chinese religious practices were more diverse, including ancestor worship and varying deities associated with different realms. Moreover, Egyptian beliefs emphasized the divine essence of humans, while Chinese philosophy, particularly Confucianism, focused on social order and moral values.