While I begin to think about my belief and religion, I try to find my belief from some kind of origins, one of which is Confucianism. It's well-known that Confucianism ever had the most important influence and now still has lasting influence on Chinese everyday life, but why didn't it develop into a popular religion like Christianity? Or why there is no prevailing religion like Christianity in China?
It's a very intriguing and complex question. After some research and pondering, I think it is the ethical and philosophical feature of Confucianism that makes a religion not necessary in China.
Confucianism mainly deals with politics and ethnics. The core principles are humanity, loyalty and filial piety. Humanity teaches us to behave with humaneness. One golden rule which expresses the principle of humanity is: Whatever you don't wish for yourself, don't do to others. It's about empathy. Loyalty focuses on the obligations of the ruled to the ruler, and also extends to one's duties to friends, family and spouses. Filial piety denotes that children should respect their parents or ancestors.
It is evident that Confucianism is a very complete moral code to regulate social relationships in China. Also Confucianism pays little attention on anything out of living beings; instead, it focuses on personal cultivation with a goal of becoming a gentleman. Put it simply, Confucianism is more of a philosophy of life than a religion of theism. This kind of feature makes a belief of supernatural power such as God not necessary. People can live well in the direction of Confucianism.
Actually there is a native religion in China. It is Taoism. However, Taoism is too mystical to be popularized.
After a roughly one century of fracture of the tradition of Confucianism, most Chinese actually begin to lose memory about Confucianism. However, it's no good and we should adopt a analytical method to revive Confucianism to fit in modern values, especially when western civilizations have begun to show serious consequences in many aspects of our life such as global climate change. Chinese traditional philosophy of "unity of Heaven and Man" could serve as a savior. The most prominent philosopher in 20th century Russsel ever commended Chinese traditional culture and he said:
His (Confucius)system, as developed by his followers, is one of pure ethics, without religious dogma; it has not given rise to a powerful priesthood, and it has not led to persecution. It certainly has succeeded in producing a whole nation possessed of exquisite manners and perfect courtesy.
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