Religions Of The World Part III – Daoism

Did you know that the trend towards adherence to a religion from 1970 to 2010 increased for Daoism by 9.85%. Coming in second at 4.26% was Baha i Faith and third on 4.23% was Islam. Well, at least I’ve heard of one of them. Islam third? I’m startled!

My ‘Part III’ was going to be about Islam but, having discovered quite by chance, that Daoism has grown significantly more I thought it deserved to make the top three. The only problem I have with this decision is what the hell is Daoism? On the plus side it is easier to write than Baha i Faith which pushed Islam down to third spot in the religious charts.

Oh dear. I’m going to have to research this. Me. Researching something. Much more of this and I’ll want paying! Hurts my brain does research.

Right. Daoism. What the hell is it? – well, obviously it’s a religion – but what kind of religion?

Oh for Gods (or the deity of your choice) sake! Daoism is also called Taoism. It’s got two bloody names! See! I told you I don’t do research!

According to Wikipedia :

“Taoism is a philosophical, ethical, and religious tradition of Chinese origin that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao (also romanized as Dao). The term Tao means “way”, “path” or “principle”, and can also be found in Chinese philosophies and religions other than Taoism. In Taoism, however, Tao denotes something that is both the source and the driving force behind everything that exists. It is ultimately ineffable: “The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.”

Nope. No idea. Not a Scooby. Haven’t the foggiest. What possessed me to do this thingy on religions of the world?

Well, at least it explains why Daoism or Taoism is growing faster than Islam and Christianity – mind you, the old Oak tree in my back garden is growing faster than Christianity – Daoism / Taoism is Chinese and, obviously, there are quite a few billion Chinese knocking about on our world which clearly explains this religions growth.

They may have a point you know these Daoists / Taoists. As Keifer Sutherland pointed out in that glorious movie ‘The Lost Boys’ as he and his vampires ate noodles. “1 billion Chinese can’t be wrong”.

Interestingly, from the maze of information I’ve found, it appears they aren’t actually worshipping a ‘God’ or ‘divine being’. If they are and I’ve cocked up my research then well? It’s me, what do you expect?

There’s lots of talk about Ying and Yang – my pal had a couple of cats called Ying and Yang but I doubt that’s really relevant – and a ‘White Cloud Temple’ and ‘The Three Pure Ones’ on top of ‘The Pantheon Of Deities’ – oops – there’s that deity thingy again – but I can’t find any reference to an ‘absolute God’ or anything.

The Daoists / Taoists also do Lion Dances and Dragon Dances and stuff like that.

You know, if these buggers have a bar in their paradise I think I’ll convert. Sounds like fun – and it’s not often you use the word ‘fun’ when discussing a religion eh?

Daoism /Taoism by all accounts favours spontaneity, naturalness and individualism – this is sounding better and better eh? Somewhere along the way Daoism / Taoism (oh can I just write Daoism?) fell out with Confucianism so poor old Confucius isn’t getting a look in anymore but hey? Every cloud and all that!

A religion that isn’t a religion but is a way of life. Lion and Dragon dancing, ‘White Cloud Temples’ (I’ve no idea but it sounds very nice) and a couple of bartenders called Ying and Yang – oh, all right, I made that bit up but it would make it perfect!

Uh-oh. Just had a thought – one of my rare and few. Even if Daoism isn’t exactly a religion it’s clearly a way of life. Extreme religious nuts tend to call their faith ‘a way of life’ too. The Christian and Islamist fundementalists. Remember them?

I hope the Daoists stay peaceful and don’t decide the world will be a better place if we are all terrorised into being Daoists. One billion Chinese could do an awful lot of damage trying to terrorise us into conversion. Even the Islamists would have to look to their laurels if the Daoists ever kicked off eh?

Still, it isn’t likely is it? After all, Daoists haven’t a ‘God’ to do evil things ‘in the name of’ like Christians and Islamists have. Not having a God to hide behind means it’s actually ‘you’ doing said evil things. Might make it a wee bit harder to do if it’s all down to you eh?

I could quite like the Daoists if I could fathom out what the hell this fastest growing ‘faith’ actually is. Reading about it is almost like the first time I smoked a joint – and no, I haven’t partaken since my 20’s so I’m not a dope head – it makes you think of an LSD trip or something. Perhaps the Daoists are all hippies in disguise?

Daoism. The fastest growing religion on the Planet Earth. Well! Who would have thought it?

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