History of Chinese Beliefs: Confucius, Mencius and a Comparison to Christianity

In China the development of new beliefs and changes in beliefs have taken place as dynasties have come into power and decline. Ti started as a tribal lord, became a supreme god in the Shang dynasty, then changed and developed into a fusion with nature, destiny and virtue starting in the Chou dynasty. This development began in the Chou dynasty as reasoning for conquering the Shang. A dependency on a supreme god changed to a dependency on oneself in the pathway of virtue and/or principle. In what appears to be an avoidance of what happened with Feudalism and the aristocratic families and in the Warring States Confucius supports advancement through education in his teachings. Confucius further established Humanism by teaching and writing the 'Analects'. Humanism has been and is a major factor in the beliefs in China which continue to develop and change ({3}*pp. 31-33).