mercedo wrote today at 3:08 AM
I learned many basic notions of philosophy in minor ages. So I tend to think some philosophical concept rather narrower than ordinary use of word. So religion must be something that is believed firmly by their followers. Civilisation must be related to materialistic development in human culture and culture must be related to spiritual development in human civilisation. So according to my definitions, airplane, computer, tools are civilisation. Language, religion, are cultures. I cannot easily change my definition of religion in a similar way.
I noticed one point in your post. Confucius doesn't have to believe firmly his thought, but the followers of Confucius, kind of Confucius-ians do. Of course they believe firmly his thought, idea, etc. The followers of Confucius formed a religion. What I was saying was his teachings themselves. I daren't deny we call the practice of the followers of Confucius a religion.