I am pro-Buterflies theory, but it should NOT be exagerated. And the example of Ray Bradburry is frankly exagerated, as yours. Ironicaly, a part because Ray's is a bit UNDERstimated.
Sinicized versions of Christianity or Islam gaining power in China?
- Thread starter Strategos' Risk
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I am of the opinion that, if there are really an infinite number of worlds out there, it might be possible for Han Wudi to adopt Confucianism, yet Christianity still survives. After all, an infinite number of worlds would allow for every possible arrangement of atoms and subatomic particles, and etcetera, right? But I don't know if that's the case, so for now, I'll just deal with the possible implications of what might have occurred in our world if something was changed.
I was speaking more that butterflies effects can be hard or mellow - a change in far east may not affect Holy Land so much, by example, depending of the distance in time, situation around, etc.
Please, stay in topic. I've said in my last post, that I didn't choose Taoism for a reason, and always favor and use example philosophies that are sects of the original Confucianism, like Xun Zi. It will maintain more or less what OTL events till North and South divided era in 4th century when lots of western ideas and religions flowed into China were possible.
Taoism has such a great impact is mostly due to it's extreme difference (passive to a point where no action is the default action), and also it's more like a religion than revived Confucianism or any other possible political philosophies. And probably will enhance Buddhism idea spread in China, and causing the opposite of what we want as sinicized Christianity take root and spread.
On the contrary, the option with a Xun Zi sect would be very subtle if the right combinations are picked. First, the evil nature of human when born would fit well with Christianity. Then its view about Heaven is separated from humankind, instead of Dong Zhongshu's interaction connected view. Both help the sinicized Christianity compatible with this ATL revived "Confucianism". And these are philosophical concepts mostly, other elements of Confucianism up till that moment should be fairly the same as in OTL. (some tweaks would be needed to make the logic consistence though) And these doesn't affect real policies much IMO. (Probably some words and phrases will be different, or during ceremonies).
However it still has problems. One is that it's so close to Legalism, and previous Qin dynasty used it. There would be officials in court against it and many nobles probably hate it. In real history, this did happened when actual Legalism was proposed earlier (when Han Wu Di's grandfather was still alive), but got dismissed very quickly, due to people still hate Qin rule. But if "decorated" well enough to make it looks like Confucianism, this problem may not occurred. Since the difference are mostly just for argument sakes. And indeed later in history when Han Wu Di adapted revived Confucianism, he never really followed it, but use his own version of "Confucianism on the outside for show, Legalism inside" (sadly he only used Legalism polices, not philosophy)
Another problem is that the affect was mostly limited to upper class, the lower class at that time still believed some forms of folk religions (China is big, many folk religions existed), and they slowly absorbed elements from Confucianism, combined with each other, but mostly from Taoism a lot. Later when Buddhism spread, general population is still more acceptable to it. This might cause earliest possible spread of Christianity during 4th century stayed minority, and the upper class has less incentive to convert, but more favorable to Buddhism, like in OTL.
What I am seeking here is that if somehow choose a combination that is compatible to Christianity but also make Taoism influence minimize. At the same time make those differences mostly stay at philosophical level. (Whether or not it's possible I can't say right now, probably very unlikely if I'd guess)
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If there are an infinite number of worlds then there is one where Genghis Khan is riding a Raptor in a race against Theodor Roosevelt's horse.
Just because there is an infinite number of worlds and within those world an infinite amount of diversity and an infinite amount of combinations, i does not mean that they are not ASB.
Yes. I never said I think there are an infinite number of worlds out there. What you said there would technically be possible, and is why I think of the infinite worlds is rather absurd. That's why I think that, if there are an infinite number of worlds, some of them would be completely non-sensical to us in this world, and we would probably encounter different laws of physics altogether, and there would be a world out there where Genghis Khan on a raptor is not considered ASB. But I really think it's too early to be talking about extra-dimensional physics.