Confucianism is a "code of conduct" to live this life, and it has had a tremendous impact on how the Chinese live their lives... with a great influence in Chinese government, education, and attitudes toward correct personal behavior and the individual duties to society. Confucius wanted to be a politician, even a Prime Minister, but he failed... and dedicated to preach good moral conduct... after his death he is the Chinese most influential in the history of China, and had all the honors he never had in life: The Government ordered the "worship of Confucius", and named him the "Co-Assessor with the deities of Heaven and Earth". His precepts and principles were incorporated into the Chinese Law in 210 BC. His way to please God or the gods is through a "good conduct" with your family, neighbors, and society... if you are a good person, God is going to like you, as we already commented in Taoism. Some say that Confucianism is no religion in reality, because Confucius is a philosopher, moralist, statesman and educationist, but no religionist. They say that the thoughts and teachings of Confucius are ethical philosophy, political and educational principle, but not religious philosophy. The "Jen": The essence of all his teachings may be summed up under this one word ‘Jen’. The nearest equivalent to this difficult word is "social virtue". All those virtues which help to maintain social harmony and peace like benevolence, charity, magnanimity, sincerity, respectfulness, altruism, diligence, loving kindness, goodness are included in Jen. His "Golden Rule" is: "What you do not want done to yourself, do not do unto others". "The injuries done to you by an enemy should be returned with a combination of love and justice".

To put is imply, Confucianism is mainly about peace, love, simplicity and treating others right.

Confucius never really indicated doing anything for a "God" in his teachings. His main prerogative was to promote a social system based on "good conduct" and virtue instead of the pervading class system of his time. His beliefs helped shape the intense meritocracies and filial loyalties of East Asian countries today. The definition of religion in East Asian countries are also different than what Westerners generally believe. Most Westerners believe of a religion based on a God or many Gods. Using this definition, Confucianism is most definitely NOT a religion. The Eastern definition of religion is a thought based on superstition and myths. Again, Confucianism does not fit the quota. However, if your definition of religion is one based on ritual, core beliefs, and a philosophy that one lives by then Confucianism is indeed a religion. It's hard to pinpoint the exact beliefs of Confucius especially since he spent most of his time getting kicked out of various countries and failing to ever truly establish his philosophy to the majority. Most of what we understand is from his disciples, their writings, and our interpretations. (Much like Christianity is based on Jesus' disciples' thoughts, the Bible & other included or excluded writings, and how the different sects interpret them.) Thus there is Confucianism based on the belief that people are innately good.... innately evil.... a sort of country-wide application of the generally family-only loyalty (leading to Nationalism)... There is Neo-confucianism founded around the Song dynasty which incorporates Buddhist and Taoist beliefs while banishing these other religions. This is where the idea of the Jen began. There is also new Confucianism, which I believe your second answerer follows...

Confucianism was created by K’ung Fu Tzu, and is practiced all over China. Confucianism is a complicated system of political, social, philosophical and quasi-religious thought. Confucianism has a major impact on the people of Asia, especially East Asia. Master K’ung, (K’ung Fu Tzu) who was also known as Confucius, said: “To live is to love others, to honor ones parents, to do what is right instead of doing what is advantage, to practice reciprocity, and to rule by moral example instead of by force and violence. Confucianism is basically about being