does not answer questions about the reasons for various forms of natural and human existence. Therefore, it avoids arguing about whether there are spirits and "supernatural forces". Not a few passages in Analects reflect this idea, such as "Devote yourself to man's duties, respect spiritual being but keep distance (6:20)," and "Until you are able to serve men, how can you serve spiritual being? Until you know about life, how can you know about death? (11:11)." These sentences indicate that Confucianism is more a social and moral philosophy than a religion. The themes of Analects are to reject the superstition and heavy reliance on "supernatural forces". Confucius did not believe the moral and spiritual achievements of man just can come from the amount and quality of study and good hard work. In order to become a fully and truly human being, you should participate in society. So we can conclude that the basic idea in Confucianism is anti-magical in outlook. Confucius's ethical vision ran against the grain of the legalistic mindset of his day. Only under the Han Emperor Wu (r. 140-87 B.C.), did Confucianism become accepted as state ideology and orthodoxy. From that time on the imperial state promoted Confucian values to maintain law, order, and the status quo. Efforts were made to encourage the practice of Confucian values: respect for parents, loyalty to government, and keeping to one's place in society. Thus, Confucianism served as conservative state orthodoxy to bolster established institutions and long-standing social divisions. The tensions between social and political realities and the high-minded moral ideals of the Confucians were an ongoing source of concern for scholars, politicians and rulers. The dangers of moral sterility and hypocrisy were always present. Throughout the Chinese history, the moral, intellectual, and spiritual vigor of Li was repeatedly revived, renewed and appreciated at times when the society was stable...
