GS IP # Religion and Politics in East Asia Cleanup on Judaism Neusner--classic Judaism does not inform public policy...

it is about relationship with God. Judaism and Islam emphasize monotheism...no trinity allowed. Both emphasize personal relationship with God (original text). - reaction to pre-Abrahamic tradition of high priest consolidation of power - this has changed! Important rabbi's word powerful - first five books...it's between you and me It becomes social quickly...covenant...Pentateuch... Law giving religion...so it follows that someone has to interpret the law. God didn't reveal to every individual...He chose individuals... - this offers up an elite...a hierarchy...and the right to interpret Issue of free will - individual choice to move in the flow forward eternity in Kingdom of Heaven - religion imposes order on the world, particularly for those who don't have laws...with consequences Directionality...life is not cyclic...it's directional - movement out of Eden, Abraham out of Ur, ... They weren't Jews...they were Hebrews... The Chosen People and the Land - land creates politics...it wasn't just anywhere...it was Palestine Does state function to uphold laws to further order? - Judaism: socialism has more to do with Israel than religion - the people who came in on socialist tradition were not farmers...they were commercial, bankers,... - Zionism is a modern movement...Holocaust took place because there was no state to defend Jews...call is pressure not to criticize (not necessarily to defend); it's more about defending land... What is the role of Judaism in Israeli security? - Netanyahu--when Jews compromised, they were weak...so don't make compromises - land between the two rivers...which rivers? Nile and Ephrates? All of the land...obviously not the desert? - ongoing debate internally--a religious people or a democracy? No constitution, just, civil code (eg Napoleanic Law) Ethnic Policy - 20% of the population are not Jews...they have opposed the Jews in the past...so how to do with "Mother of Matyrs" but at the same time work to improve their conditions (education, opportunity,...); Assimilation...so how does the Arab population handle this same quandary? - Muslims are fasted growing part of Israel's population

- they have 11 seats of 120 in government...underrepresented by population - democracy status is fortunate...better off than Arabs in Yemen, etc.. - at odds with US because they fall back on religious history, not doctrine -- we are the Chosen people -- identity shaped through policy -------------------(DuBois...Religion in Modern East Asia) We don't think of east Asia as influenced by religion...this is a mistake Buddhist traditions differ by country Confucianism as religion or philosophy is debatable...but we include it here Chapter 6: millennialist oriented movements...why does China seem to be subjected to so many (eg Taiping Revolution) - challenging the established order... - a highly ordered society needs a steam valve - less arable land, high dependence on government for security,... - idea that everything outside is a threat (Middle Kingdom), particularly ideas ** are millennialist ideas caused by outside influence? - Mao made brutal argument: existence is constantly in motion, things change because of the dialectical nature...up and down,,white and black...cyclical...so you have to push the revolution forward (Marx argued revolution will end) - Qing dynasty uses British and French troops to put down the rebellion -- major political move by emporess dowenger... -- decision to reform...they establish military academy -- opening of Opium ports....opium for team then opium for silver - BL: multiple events indicating undesirable nature of foreign influence - bureaucrats are Confucian scholars; soldiers are very low on hierarchy -- difficult to distinguish military from bandits...seen as dishonorable profession Boxers: another representation of vulnerability to outside influence Confucianism made China vulnerable: - orientalism...we have a mission to give China modernity - clash: misunderstanding of civilizatios - there is a purpose for the tradition: ** millennial movements served a purpose to DEFEND the tradition The religious overtones are just under the surface today...we need to acknowledge them in the discussion of democracy and globalization.

----Confucian Fascism Is there something inherent that allows autocratic movements? Ay Q story is about repression of personal expression; - adopting things unquestioningly... - Madman...what does canabalism metaphor relate...self survival is only thing that matters...society which consumes people...no social welfare network - order through respect

- this results in purposeless revolts/fighting while system collapses around you Japan With end of Tokagawa...why, how? - buddhists were used to keep people in order - power shift due to western influence in economy - anti-westernism: do we open or abide internally? - cohesive population and geography facilitate change ** no strategic depth!! Shinto - shrine centric worship to understand individual position in society - rituals that legitimate emperor and focus society around his power - ritualistic - militaristic? - religion enforces order...what individuals with position say is relevant not because it correlates with the religious doctrine, but because of position granted by religious order - warriors venerated in Japan (unlike China)...Kama khazi - capable of reordering...but very traditional elements of culture survive...adapts ------The coming Sunni-Shia War: As modernity shows its limitations, religion will revive...return to traditionalism in aspects to fill gaps; more temples in China... - this will create bigger impact on security... - also a conflict of space, resources, ethnic identity...