The Analysis of Christianity and Taoism - Research Paper Example

Difference between Christianity and Taoism on the topic of Prayer This paper compares the difference that exists between Christianity and Taoism. The purpose of the discourse is to raise fundamental positions on prayer that manifest themselves out of Christianity and Taoism on the topic of prayer. From a broad view, Christianity involves the practice of faith and belief based upon the teachings and miracles of Christ while Taoism is the practice of faith and belief based upon the classical and ancient Chinese teachings of Lao-tzu.

There are different aspects considered in the comparison of prayer in Christianity and Taoism. One of the greatest differences is in repentance and recognition of sin. Taoism does not acknowledge the need for redemption or salvation in prayer. In Christianity, redemption or salvation plays a very crucial role in washing away one’s evil deeds, therefore making one clean and holy before Christ. According to Taoism ‘God’ is just a force that people need to harmonize themselves with, instead of salvation or redemption and worshipping God that Christians believe in.

Taoism also believes that there are no personal relations between them and ‘Tao’, their God, while Christians believe that when it comes to prayer there exists a personal relationship between them and Christ. Christians can pray to their heavenly father, the creator of earth and universe, and Christ son of God directly with the belief and faith that their prayers would be heard and answered. On the contrary, Taoists do not pray directly to their ‘God’ nor do they develop any attachment with ‘God’.

Taoists believe in meditation which is a process of sitting upright quietly in the position of a baby reciting sacred words aimed at the restoration of harmony within oneself and spiritual nourishment (Rorty, Richard, and Gianni 68). Taoism also believes that values and morality are influenced by nature’s rewards and punishment while Christianity believes in God who determines what is right, and wrong and moral values that are punishable and rewarded by God only. According to Christianity God is the most supreme judge of all evils, wrongs and righteousness therefore no Christian should judge the other.

Taoism on the other hand, proclaims that there is no moral distinction between right and wrong and which judges no one (Hu, Hsiao, and William 42). Proclamation of Christianity profess that Christ died for their sins and justification according to Roman 4:25, and eternal life is given to those who trust in him as saviour according to John 1:12. In addition, John 14:6 states that Jesus Christ is the only true way to the father. Conversely, the doctrine of moral relativism in Taoism, questions the need for a saviour from sin.

Taoists believe that ‘Tao or Dao’-their ‘God’ created man by giving birth to man and became passive thereafter leaving things in their natural course while in Christianity, Christians believe that God created man from dust and remains present in all that was created. These beliefs have shaped prayer in the sense that Taoism has three major aspects driving them that include, including compassion, moderation and humility within oneself and nature while Christians believe in the Supreme Being from whom all that they ask in faith they shall receive (Rorty, Richard, and Gianni 74).

Another difference in prayer that manifests itself is the belief of after-life, which refers to life after death. Taoists don’t believe in life after death because they spend most of their time seeking supernatural powers of immortality. To add, Taoists believed in the value of life and hence didn’t focus on life after death but rather emphasized pragmatic ways of nurturing one's health and towards the achievement of longevity. This shapes their way of prayer in that it doesn’t focus on life after death but mostly on their health and longevity.

On the contrary, Christians believe in life after death, particularly in the conviction of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Due to this therefore Christians pray with the hope of having eternal peace and resurrection after death, upon which if righteous then one will have an everlasting life. In summary, as much as the teachings of Taoism and Christianity may be different, they all direct believers and resemble each other towards love, humility, and tolerance. It’s of significance therefore to appreciate and acknowledge the diversities and at the same time pray for peace and unity among religions.