Islam takes on practices that are distinct to it as a religion which culminates in spiritual and social importance to its members which contribute to divine living whose focus aims at producing obedient personalities. Confucianism on the other hand is not so much of a religion but rather a set of principles that govern interaction among humans and which aims at producing responsible personalities in the society (Richter et al, 2004).
Both of them have got their distinct rituals and moral expectations of their followers. Rituals in religious contexts are considered as actions that denotes symbolic activities and practices that are carried out by people, for example, when greeting a certain set of people belonging to a certain age set , one is expected to use a specific set of greetings and touching specific parts of the body for example the head shoulder and so on (Richter et al, 2004).
Also some activities such as the taking of the holy Eucharist and forms of prayer are practiced. As for morality, it encompasses what is generally regarded as right, by a group of people in society; it touches on the actions of humans, those actions seen as virtues and vices. Morals are therefore supposed to control human actions and behaviours.
Therefore, morality is regarded as a more or less of an obligation than acting out of free will. Ritual and morality can be seen therefore to be sharing a lot in common because the expected end result of human actions is supposed to be positive which both of them call for (Richter et al, 2004).
According to Religion, Morality and Ethics, Islam is associated with deontological ethics , whereby an individual in society is obliged to act as per the laid down regulations, therefore one is expected to live up to the expected norms because failure to follow the rules may lead to an unpleasant action taken against one (Richter et al, 2004). However Confucianism is related to virtue ethics, whereby practical wisdom is emphasized as long as harmony in the society is achieved.
Ideals such as humility, humaneness, compassion as well as politeness and all other actions that contribute to all forms of courtesy are held as very important. Ideal character is capitalized on because that is basically the expected norm. According to religion, morality and Ethics, both Islam and Confucianism therefore advocates for good morals despite their approaches. Both exhibit rituals that are distinct to each one of them whereby man is the centre of their beliefs
In regard to Islam, the religion has got laid down dos and don’ts for its members to live up to which are derived from The Holy Koran. The Sharia Law governs how Muslims should live with the other human beings as well as their relationship with God.
The teachings from the Sharia Laws take care of all the aspect of life, from their spirituality to their social lives (Richter et al, 2004). At the end of the day, it helps take care of the society in terms of the cordial relationships that will have been achieved by its subjects. This restricts its members to a set of rules which they must abide by.
On the part of Confucianism, their fundamental beliefs are derived from a collection of wise sayings on morality, these sayings spell out the expectations of society on all the members of society with each other (Richter et al, 2004), be it the ruler and the ruled, father to son and vice versa, friend to friend, wife to husband and so on. man’s interests and achievements are focused on capitalizing on love and duty.
At the end of the day, both Islam and Confucianism uphold good morals for a better society, regardless of their differences in principle; the ultimate goal is focused on the relationship between individual and society (Richter et al, 2004).
The benefits of following the religious rituals are far reaching in society. For harmony and fruitful living in any human life, happiness and satisfaction should crown life not forgetting achieving the ultimate goal of a good life that points to the common known analogue, leaving the world a better place than you found it (Richter et al, 2004).
Human reason is the lead principle in both; they are focusing on integrating very many aspects human life and experiences, as well as mind and body. This helps individuals pass very well from one phase of life to the next, for instance baptism, circumcision and all other transformative rituals (Richter et al, 2004).
In both, ritual is well called for as well as morality which is the driving force in at least all religions of the world, these rituals and moral practices are especially called for as a way of identity. Both of their religious rituals are right by virtue that they uphold good morals as well as peaceful co existence of humanity, both of them advocate for sound reasoning which leads to proper living.
References
Richter, K. Modschiedler, J., Peterson, D., Rapple, E. (2004): Understanding Religion in a Global Society. New York. Wadsworth Pub Co.