Seeking the Highest Good

Gail M. Biggers

INT 244 World Religions

November 27, 2011

Dave Pederson

Seeking the Highest Good

In religion there is a set of guidelines that one must follow in order to reach their ultimate goal. In this essay there will be an examination of the religions Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity and what and how they define seeking the higher good.

In Taoism it says that right being leads to right doing, Confucianism states that right doing leads to right being. Christianity is to develop a relationship with God repent your sins and follow the laws of the Ten Commandments.

These are the same folds in one cloth it just that the views are different. A person that follows Taoism and has achieved harmony with nature will act according or right doing in nature. Through the right being they will certainly do what is right and proper to do. In nature animals do what to survive which is what is right for them because they are one with Tao. Since Humans are broken from nature they do not necessarily do what's right because they do not know what is right. If we become one with Tao then we will live in natural harmony and do what is right because the core of our being is right and we will not have a problem following this path.

Confucianism is an ethical way of life where as Taoism is philosophical. Confucianism objective is to live one's right place in the family, society, and the world while Taoism wants you live in harmony with nature which will help us to live in harmony with family society and the world. Taoism educates to welcome life in actions that support you as a person. Taoism is the discovery of your breath to bring about peace. Opening up a smile to allow possibility is another philosophy of Taoism.

Christianity teaches Christians and non-Christians have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and need salvation, which comes by the grace of God not a person's actions or qualities (Ephesians 2:8-9, 1Corithinans 1:26-31) Being a Christian involves more than just doing the right thing and having morals Christianity includes recharging the mind being changed. Renewing the minds contains God's word and then the change which involves being a good and moral person that everyone expects a Christian to be. This can only happen when we do such things through Him. Christianity is based on 1 simple belief and 2 fellowship rites baptism and communion. It is very simple based on the acceptance of Christ as savior, repentance from sin personal relationship with God and faith as a verb and an active full of life. (One does do faith)

Trying to distinguish the differences of these religions is a can be difficult area for some because there are many paths in reaching the ultimate goal. To say that any religion