When Confucius Lives Next Door Analysis

When Confucian, Islamic, and American Cultures Collide There have always been people who try to claim a superiority to their religion and/or culture above all others. But this is not true. Confucian and Islamic religions and the cultures that result from them, like Christianity, each have their own strengths and weaknesses. In Confucius Lives Next Door, by T.R. Reid, we learn how Confucianism has affected the culture of Japan. There are many positives in this culture as far as creating a harmonious society. As the author states, “Asians now argue that they have valuable lessons to teach the rest of the world. And they're right.” There is not nearly as much income inequality as in the United States, people on average are wealthier,
However, we are more inclined to balance the greater good with our own good, and our self absorption is deeply ingrained. I doubt that such a Confucian-based lifestyle would appeal to most Americans. In Children of Dust, author Ali Eteraz describes his experience being raised as a Muslim in the Middle East; followed by coming to the United States for college, for him a rude awakening. In sharing his experiences with us, he teaches us a lot about Islam. His book is not so much a treatise on religion and culture, but more of a memoir; even so, it enlightens while it entertains. One of the big strengths of Islam, of which I was previously unaware, is that it can be a religion of peace. Even while he was something of a religious zealot, the author was appalled at the horror of the 9/11 attacks on the United States, and could not see how these fit into his Muslim religion. He was not only appalled at the lives lost, but also at the claim that these acts were done for Allah. This is a feeling we share when, for example, a right-wing Christian shoots up a church or a movie theater and claims they did so for God. I believe that most religions encourage a culture of peace and harmony. But with our selfish natures, some people corrupt the message and use out-of-context
He clearly felt that women should be veiled and held to high standards. As a young man he is interested in sex, which we look upon as entirely natural. This causes him great frustration in trying to relate to women and perhaps an impetus for questioning his religion: “The nearness of these girls that couldn't be touched, even approached, even befriended, upset me. Why did I spend my life in conformity with Islam...?” In America, our sexual liberation shocked him. While exposed to the “filthy” American women as a college student in the United States, he instead pursues “pure” Muslim women, but his view of relationships is disturbing: “Persuading girls to abandon the strictures of Islam... was not ultimately satisfying. I couldn't boast or gloat about it to anyone.” Apparently no one told him that he was not supposed to “kiss and tell” in the best of