Taoism Origins, Taoism History, Taoism Beliefs

<!DOCTYPE html> <html xmlns="https://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en" xmlns:og="https://ogp.me/ns#" xmlns:fb="https://www.facebook.com/2008/fbml" class="patheos-library-major-path" data-content-type="patheos-library-major-path" data-keyword="library" data-channel="Library" data-channel-slug="library" data-topics="" data-faiths=""> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <meta name="referrer" content="origin" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">  <script type="text/javascript"> // Check that service workers are supported if ('serviceWorker' in navigator) { // Use the window load event to keep the page load performant window.addEventListener('load', () => { navigator.serviceWorker.register('/pt-cache-sw.min.js'); }); } </script>  <script src="https://cdn.p-n.io/pushly-sdk.min.js?domain_key=wuaocSunBfjwow8IRkbtgAiZYpxTzpgcwe2W" async></script> <script> window.PushlySDK = window.PushlySDK || []; function pushly() { window.PushlySDK.push(arguments) } pushly('load', { domainKey: 'wuaocSunBfjwow8IRkbtgAiZYpxTzpgcwe2W', sw: '/assets/pushly/pushly-sdk-worker.js', }); // include channel data in profile let html = document.querySelector('html'); if (html.hasAttribute('data-channel-slug')) { let channel = html.getAttribute('data-channel-slug'); pushly('profile_append', { 'channel': [channel] }); } //include faith data in profile if (html.hasAttribute('data-faiths') && html.getAttribute('data-faiths')) { let faiths = html.getAttribute('data-faiths'); pushly('profile_append', { 'faiths': faiths.split(',') }); } //include topic data in profile if (html.hasAttribute('data-topics') && html.getAttribute('data-topics')) { let topics = html.getAttribute('data-topics'); pushly('profile_append', { 'topics': topics.split(',') }); } </script>  <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/" crossorigin="anonymous" /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com/" crossorigin="anonymous" />   <link rel="preload" href="https://enviousshape.com/v2/0/wgwWCDdb2NiW1gz9y7pvfYreSsK5spr2b4pkfdg26e6IIxv4lclET_lRg68kIm2kwgg" as="script" /> <link rel="modulepreload" as="script" href="/areas/patheos/app/dist/js/chunk-vendors.463729d9.js" /> <link rel="modulepreload" as="script" href="/areas/patheos/app/dist/js/app.9919b64a.js" /> <link rel="preload" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Abril+Fatface|Montserrat:100,300,400,700|Open+Sans+Condensed:300,700|Vollkorn:400,400i,700,700i&display=optional" as="style" crossorigin />  <title>Taoism Origins, Taoism History, Taoism Beliefs</title> <meta property="og:title" content="Taoism Origins, Taoism History, Taoism Beliefs" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-legacy-images/rt41ov.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg" /> <meta property="og:image:width" content="700" /> <meta property="og:image:height" content="180" /> <meta name="news_keywords" content="Library,Taoism,Daoism overview,Daoism origins,Daoism history,Daoism development,Daoism beliefs,Daoism ritual,Daoism worship,Daoism devotion,Daoism symbol,Daoism symbols,Daoism symbolism,Daoism ethics,Daoism morality,Daoism community,Taoism overview,Taoism origins,Taoism history,Taoism development,Taoism beliefs,Taoism ritual,Taoism worship,Taoism devotion,Taoism symbol,Taoism symbols,Taoism symbolism,Taoism ethics,Taoism morality,Taoism community" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Taoism, also spelled Daoism, is an indigenous religious and philosophical system which has shaped Chinese culture since the 6th century B.C.E. and continues to permeate Chinese thought." /> <meta name="description" content="Taoism, also spelled Daoism, is an indigenous religious and philosophical system which has shaped Chinese culture since the 6th century B.C.E. and continues to permeate Chinese thought." /> <meta name="robots" content="INDEX, FOLLOW, noydir, noodp" /> <meta name="robots" content="max-image-preview:large"> <meta http-equiv="content-language" content="en" /> <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> <meta http-equiv="last-modified" content="2017-09-07@00:00:00 Z" /> <meta http-equiv="X-Served-By" content="A4WEB013" /> <link href="https://www.patheos.com/library/taoism" rel="canonical" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.patheos.com/library/taoism" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://www.patheos.com/library/taoism" />  <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/Areas/Patheos/assets/apple-touch-icon.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/Areas/Patheos/assets/favicon-32x32.png" sizes="32x32"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/Areas/Patheos/assets/android-chrome-192x192.png" sizes="192x192"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/Areas/Patheos/assets/favicon-16x16.png" sizes="16x16"> <link rel="manifest" href="/Areas/Patheos/assets/manifest.json"> <link rel="mask-icon" href="/Areas/Patheos/assets" color="#5bbad5"> <meta name="msapplication-TileColor" content="#00aba9"> <meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="/Areas/Patheos/assets/mstile-150x150.png?v=00rbb46rd6"> <meta name="theme-color" content="#ffffff"> <meta name="mobile-web-app-capable" content="yes">  <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@Patheos"> <meta name="twitter:creator" content="@Patheos"> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Taoism Origins, Taoism History, Taoism Beliefs"> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Taoism, also spelled Daoism, is an indigenous religious and philosophical system which has shaped Chinese culture since the 6th century B.C.E. and continues to permeate Chinese thought."> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-legacy-images/rt41ov.jpg">  <meta property="fb:pages" content="94319190752" />  <meta property="fb:pages" content="110176385723423"> <meta property="fb:pages" content="185230108170664"> <meta property="fb:pages" content="181539958548011"> <meta property="fb:pages" content="317806761569705"> <meta property="fb:pages" content="172552106115265"> <meta property="fb:pages" content="160984940665858"> <meta property="fb:pages" content="353226444742625"> <meta property="fb:pages" content="290163294432756"> <meta property="fb:pages" content="1761881787368191"> <meta property="fb:pages" content="208407099520739"> <meta property="fb:pages" content="1108139422538318">  <script> (function (w, d, s, l, i) { w[l] = w[l] || []; w[l].push({ 'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(), event: 'gtm.js' }); var f = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j = d.createElement(s), dl = l != 'dataLayer' ? '&l=' + l : ''; j.async = true; j.src = 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=' + i + dl; f.parentNode.insertBefore(j, f); })(window, document, 'script', 'dataLayer', 'GTM-W3V8F2');</script>   <script> (function (i, s, o, g, r, a, m) { i['GoogleAnalyticsObject'] = r; i[r] = i[r] || function () { (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments) }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date(); a = s.createElement(o), m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0]; a.async = 1; a.src = g; m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m) })(window, document, 'script', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js', 'ga'); ga('create', 'UA-6605286-6', 'auto'); ga('send', 'pageview'); </script>  <style type="text/css"> @font-face{font-family:Montserrat;font-style:normal;font-weight:100;font-display:optional;src:url(https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/montserrat/v25/JTUHjIg1_i6t8kCHKm4532VJOt5-QNFgpCtr6Xw5aX8.ttf) format('truetype')}@font-face{font-family:Montserrat;font-style:normal;font-weight:300;font-display:optional;src:url(https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/montserrat/v25/JTUHjIg1_i6t8kCHKm4532VJOt5-QNFgpCs16Hw5aX8.ttf) format('truetype')}@font-face{font-family:Montserrat;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:optional;src:url(https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/montserrat/v25/JTUHjIg1_i6t8kCHKm4532VJOt5-QNFgpCtr6Hw5aX8.ttf) format('truetype')}@font-face{font-family:Montserrat;font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-display:optional;src:url(https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/montserrat/v25/JTUHjIg1_i6t8kCHKm4532VJOt5-QNFgpCuM73w5aX8.ttf) format('truetype')}@font-face{font-family:'Open Sans Condensed';font-style:normal;font-weight:300;font-display:optional;src:url(https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/opensanscondensed/v23/z7NFdQDnbTkabZAIOl9il_O6KJj73e7Ff1GhDuXMQg.ttf) format('truetype')}@font-face{font-family:'Open Sans Condensed';font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-display:optional;src:url(https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/opensanscondensed/v23/z7NFdQDnbTkabZAIOl9il_O6KJj73e7Ff0GmDuXMQg.ttf) format('truetype')}@font-face{font-family:'Glyphicons Halflings';src:url('https://www.patheos.com/Areas/Patheos/fonts/bootstrap/glyphicons-halflings-regular.eot');src:url('https://www.patheos.com/Areas/Patheos/fonts/bootstrap/glyphicons-halflings-regular.eot?#iefix') format("embedded-opentype"),url('https://www.patheos.com/Areas/Patheos/fonts/bootstrap/glyphicons-halflings-regular.woff2') format("woff2"),url('https://www.patheos.com/Areas/Patheos/fonts/bootstrap/glyphicons-halflings-regular.woff') format("woff"),url('https://www.patheos.com/Areas/Patheos/fonts/bootstrap/glyphicons-halflings-regular.ttf') format("truetype"),url('https://www.patheos.com/Areas/Patheos/fonts/bootstrap/glyphicons-halflings-regular.svg#glyphicons_halflingsregular') format("svg")}@-ms-viewport{width:device-width}@media (max-width:1299px){h1{font-size:40px;line-height:42px}h3{font-size:28px;line-height:30px}.related-content{font-size:15px;margin-bottom:20px}.related-content-ad-row .ad-block{width:320px}#site-footer-2022 .footer-social-icons span{display:none}.buffer-top{margin-top:30px}.buffer-bottom{margin-bottom:30px}}@media (max-width:999px){h1{font-size:34px;line-height:36px}h3{font-size:25px;line-height:27px}.related-content-ad-row .ad-block{width:318px}}@media (max-width:1299px){.related-content{font-size:15px;margin-bottom:20px}.related-content-ad-row .ad-block{width:320px}}@media (max-width:999px){h1{font-size:34px;line-height:36px}h3{font-size:25px;line-height:27px}.stretch{letter-spacing:5px}.patheos-search-bar.in-dropdown{max-width:none}#site-footer-2022 .extras-block{display:none}.related-content-ad-row .ad-block{width:318px}}@media (max-width:999px) and (max-width:999px){#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .ad-free-container{text-align:center}}@media (max-width:767px){.related-content-ad-row .ad-block{width:100%}.hidden-xs{display:none!important}body,html{overflow-x:hidden;max-width:100%}}@media (max-width:1299px){#site-footer-2022 .footer-social-icons span{display:none}h1{font-size:40px;line-height:42px}h3{font-size:28px;line-height:30px}.buffer-top{margin-top:30px}.buffer-bottom{margin-bottom:30px}}@media (max-width:999px){.navbar-dark{font-family:sans-serif,"Open Sans Condensed"}.navbar-dark .navbar-nav{margin:0 -15px;letter-spacing:normal}.navbar-header{float:none}.navbar-toggle{display:block}.navbar-collapse{border-top:1px solid transparent;box-shadow:inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,.1)}.navbar-collapse.collapse{display:none!important}.navbar-nav{float:none!important;margin-top:7.5px}.navbar-nav>li{float:none}.navbar-nav>li>a{padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px}nav .navbar-nav>li{clear:both}.dark-img-promo .title{font-size:34px;line-height:36px}#patheos-page-content{position:relative}#patheos-header-bar-mega-nav{height:60px}#patheos-header-bar-mega-nav .header-logo img{width:100px;height:30px}#patheos-header-bar-mega-nav .patheos-logo-container{width:100px;padding-left:13px;padding-top:15px}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .subnav-bar{display:none}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer .social-icons{padding:0;margin:auto;border-left:0}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav{position:absolute;top:40px;padding-top:50px}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer{border-top:0;margin:auto}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .items-right{float:none;width:100%;margin:auto}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .foot-item{width:100%}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-content.first{border:0;margin-bottom:0}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .header{border-top:1px solid #292929;padding:8px 15px;text-align:center;margin:0 auto}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .header::after{content:url(https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/images/components/icons/patheos-megamenuCarat2.svg);width:12px;height:12px;margin-left:10px;display:inline-block}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .header.no-carat:after{content:"";width:0;height:0;margin-left:0}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .ad-free-container{position:relative}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .ad-free-container a.subscription-support{text-decoration:underline;font-size:13px;position:relative;bottom:17px;left:auto;color:#cbcbcb;font-weight:400}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .genericAccordion{display:block;max-height:0;overflow:hidden}h1{font-size:34px;line-height:36px}h3{font-size:25px;line-height:27px}.stretch{letter-spacing:5px}.patheos-search-bar.in-dropdown{max-width:none}.trending-topics{margin-top:0}#site-footer-2022 .extras-block{display:none}}@font-face{font-family:"Glyphicons Halflings";src:url('https://www.patheos.com/Areas/Patheos/fonts/bootstrap/glyphicons-halflings-regular.eot');src:url('https://www.patheos.com/Areas/Patheos/fonts/bootstrap/glyphicons-halflings-regular.eot?#iefix') format("embedded-opentype"),url('https://www.patheos.com/Areas/Patheos/fonts/bootstrap/glyphicons-halflings-regular.woff2') format("woff2"),url('https://www.patheos.com/Areas/Patheos/fonts/bootstrap/glyphicons-halflings-regular.woff') format("woff"),url('https://www.patheos.com/Areas/Patheos/fonts/bootstrap/glyphicons-halflings-regular.ttf') format("truetype"),url('https://www.patheos.com/Areas/Patheos/fonts/bootstrap/glyphicons-halflings-regular.svg#glyphicons_halflingsregular') format("svg")}.col-lg-9,.col-md-6,.col-md-8,.col-sm-3,.col-xs-6{position:relative;min-height:1px;padding-left:15px;padding-right:15px}.col-xs-6{float:left}.col-xs-6{width:50%}.remove-padding{padding:0!important}.related-content{margin-bottom:40px;position:relative;line-height:1.3;overflow:hidden}.related-content.default{text-align:center}.related-content-ad-row .ad-block{padding:0}@media (max-width:1299px){h1{font-size:40px;line-height:42px}h3{font-size:28px;line-height:30px}.related-content{font-size:15px;margin-bottom:20px}.related-content-ad-row .ad-block{width:320px}}@media (max-width:999px){.related-content-ad-row .ad-block{width:318px}}.related-content-grid .col-sm-3,.related-content-grid .col-xs-6{margin:0 -2px}@media (max-width:999px)and (max-width:999px){#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .ad-free-container{text-align:center}}#site-footer-2022 .footer-social-icons span{padding:13px}@media (max-width:767px){.related-content-ad-row .ad-block{width:100%}.hidden-xs{display:none!important}body,html{overflow-x:hidden;max-width:100%}}@media (max-width:999px){h1{font-size:34px;line-height:36px}h3{font-size:25px;line-height:27px}.stretch{letter-spacing:5px}.patheos-search-bar.in-dropdown{max-width:none}#site-footer-2022 .extras-block{display:none}}h1,h3{font-family:sans-serif,"Open Sans Condensed";font-weight:700;line-height:1.1;color:#000}h1,h3{margin-top:19px;margin-bottom:9.5px}.col-lg-9,.col-md-6,.col-md-8{position:relative;min-height:1px;padding-left:15px;padding-right:15px}h1,h3{font-weight:700;letter-spacing:-1px}h1,h3{color:#000}@media (min-width:768px){.navbar{border-radius:5px}.navbar-header{float:left}.navbar-collapse{width:auto;border-top:0;box-shadow:none}.navbar-collapse.collapse{display:block!important;height:auto!important;padding-bottom:0;overflow:visible!important}.container>.navbar-collapse,.container>.navbar-header{margin-right:0;margin-left:0}.navbar-toggle{display:none}}@media (max-width:1299px){#site-footer-2022 .footer-social-icons span{display:none}h1{font-size:40px;line-height:42px}h3{font-size:28px;line-height:30px}.buffer-top{margin-top:30px}.buffer-bottom{margin-bottom:30px}}@media (max-width:999px){.buffer-top{margin-top:24px}.buffer-bottom{margin-bottom:24px}h1{font-size:34px;line-height:36px}h2{font-size:30px;line-height:32px}h3{font-size:25px;line-height:27px}.stretch{letter-spacing:5px}.navbar-dark{font-family:sans-serif,"Open Sans Condensed"}.navbar-dark .navbar-nav{margin:0 -15px;letter-spacing:normal}.navbar-header{float:none}.navbar-toggle{display:block}.navbar-collapse{border-top:1px solid transparent;box-shadow:inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,.1)}.navbar-collapse.collapse{display:none!important}.navbar-nav{float:none!important;margin-top:7.5px}.navbar-nav>li{float:none}.navbar-nav>li>a{padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px}nav .navbar-nav>li{clear:both}.dark-img-promo .title{font-size:34px;line-height:36px}#patheos-page-content{position:relative}#patheos-header-bar-mega-nav{height:60px}#patheos-header-bar-mega-nav .header-logo img{width:100px;height:30px}#patheos-header-bar-mega-nav .patheos-logo-container{width:100px;padding-left:13px;padding-top:15px}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .subnav-bar{display:none}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .subnav-channels-container .channel{display:none}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .megamenuCollapse-container{height:60px;width:60px;padding:20px 0 0 22px;position:absolute;right:0;top:-65px}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-content.first{padding:0}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-content{display:block;padding:0 0 20px}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-column{padding-right:0;text-align:center}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav li{margin:13px auto}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .header a{text-align:center;display:inline-block}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer .items-right .foot-item{text-align:center}}@media (max-width:767px){.navbar-dark{font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Roboto,Oxygen-Sans,Ubuntu,Cantarell,"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol"}.navbar-dark .navbar-nav{margin:0 -15px}.navbar-dark .navbar-nav>li>a{width:100%}.DFPAdSlot{padding:0;margin:0 -15px}.ad{padding:20px 0}.ad-container{min-height:auto}.DFPAdSlot{padding:0;margin:0 -30px}}@media (max-width:999px){#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer .social-icons{padding:0;margin:auto;border-left:0}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav{position:absolute;top:40px;padding-top:50px}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer{border-top:0;margin:auto}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .items-right{float:none;width:100%;margin:auto}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .foot-item{width:100%}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-content.first{border:0;margin-bottom:0}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .header{border-top:1px solid #292929;padding:8px 15px;text-align:center;margin:0 auto}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .header::after{content:url(https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/images/components/icons/patheos-megamenuCarat2.svg);width:12px;height:12px;margin-left:10px;display:inline-block}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .header.no-carat:after{content:"";width:0;height:0;margin-left:0}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .ad-free-container{position:relative}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .ad-free-container a.subscription-support{text-decoration:underline;font-size:13px;position:relative;bottom:17px;left:auto;color:#cbcbcb;font-weight:400}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .genericAccordion{display:block;max-height:0;overflow:hidden}.patheos-search-bar.in-dropdown{max-width:none}#site-footer-2022 .extras-block{display:none}#site-footer-2022 .extras-block.mobile{display:block}}a{background-color:transparent}.glyphicon{position:relative;top:1px;display:inline-block;font-family:'Glyphicons Halflings';font-style:normal;font-weight:400;line-height:1;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale}.glyphicon-chevron-down:before{content:"\e114"}@media (min-width:1000px){.col-md-4,.col-md-6,.col-md-8{float:left}.col-md-4{width:33.33333%}.col-md-6{width:50%}.col-md-8{width:66.66667%}div[class^=score-column].score-column1>.score-center{float:left;width:100%}}@media (min-width:768px){.navbar{border-radius:5px}.navbar-header{float:left}.navbar-collapse{width:auto;border-top:0;box-shadow:none}.navbar-collapse.collapse{display:block!important;height:auto!important;padding-bottom:0;overflow:visible!important}.container>.navbar-collapse,.container>.navbar-header{margin-right:0;margin-left:0}.navbar-toggle{display:none}}.navbar-toggle{position:relative;float:right;margin-right:15px;padding:9px 10px;margin-top:8px;margin-bottom:8px;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;border:1px solid transparent;border-radius:5px}@media (max-width:767px){.visible-xs-block{display:block!important}.hidden-xs{display:none!important}body,html{overflow-x:hidden;max-width:100%}}@media (min-width:768px) and (max-width:999px){.hidden-sm{display:none!important}}@media (min-width:1000px) and (max-width:1299px){.hidden-md{display:none!important}}@media (max-width:999px){.buffer-top{margin-top:24px}.buffer-bottom{margin-bottom:24px}h1{font-size:34px;line-height:36px}h2{font-size:30px;line-height:32px}h3{font-size:25px;line-height:27px}.stretch{letter-spacing:5px}.navbar-dark{font-family:sans-serif,"Open Sans Condensed"}.navbar-dark .navbar-nav{margin:0 -15px;letter-spacing:normal}.navbar-header{float:none}.navbar-toggle{display:block}.navbar-collapse{border-top:1px solid transparent;box-shadow:inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,.1)}.navbar-collapse.collapse{display:none!important}.navbar-nav{float:none!important;margin-top:7.5px}.navbar-nav>li{float:none}.navbar-nav>li>a{padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px}nav .navbar-nav>li{clear:both}.dark-img-promo .title{font-size:34px;line-height:36px}#patheos-page-content{position:relative}#patheos-header-bar-mega-nav{height:60px}#patheos-header-bar-mega-nav .header-logo img{width:100px;height:30px}#patheos-header-bar-mega-nav .patheos-logo-container{width:100px;padding-left:13px;padding-top:15px}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .subnav-bar{display:none}}@media (max-width:767px){.remove-padding-mobile{padding:0!important}.navbar-dark{font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Roboto,Oxygen-Sans,Ubuntu,Cantarell,"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol"}.navbar-dark .navbar-nav{margin:0 -15px}.navbar-dark .navbar-nav>li>a{width:100%}.DFPAdSlot{padding:0;margin:0 -15px}.ad{padding:20px 0}.ad-container{min-height:auto}.DFPAdSlot{padding:0;margin:0 -30px}}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .subnav-channels-container .channel::after{content:'|';color:#7ea198;margin-left:10px}@media (max-width:1299px){#patheos-channel-mega-nav .subnav-channels-container{font-size:13px;padding:0}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .subnav-channels-container .channel{margin-left:3px}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .subnav-channels-container .channel::after{margin-left:5px}}@media (max-width:999px){#patheos-channel-mega-nav .subnav-channels-container .channel{display:none}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .megamenuCollapse-container{height:60px;width:60px;padding:20px 0 0 22px;position:absolute;right:0;top:-65px}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-content.first{padding:0}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-content{display:block;padding:0 0 20px}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-column{padding-right:0;text-align:center}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav li{margin:13px auto}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .header a{text-align:center;display:inline-block}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer .items-right .foot-item{text-align:center}}@media (max-width:1299px){#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-column.wide{flex-basis:38%}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer .social-icons span{display:none}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer .social-icons{padding-left:20px;margin-left:20px}}@media (max-width:999px){#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer .social-icons{padding:0;margin:auto;border-left:0}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav{position:absolute;top:40px;padding-top:50px}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer{border-top:0;margin:auto}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .items-right{float:none;width:100%;margin:auto}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .foot-item{width:100%}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-content.first{border:0;margin-bottom:0}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .header{border-top:1px solid #292929;padding:8px 15px;text-align:center;margin:0 auto}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .header::after{content:url(https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/images/components/icons/patheos-megamenuCarat2.svg);width:12px;height:12px;margin-left:10px;display:inline-block}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .header.no-carat:after{content:"";width:0;height:0;margin-left:0}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .ad-free-container{position:relative}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .ad-free-container a.subscription-support{text-decoration:underline;font-size:13px;position:relative;bottom:17px;left:auto;color:#cbcbcb;font-weight:400}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .genericAccordion{display:block;max-height:0;overflow:hidden}.patheos-search-bar.in-dropdown{max-width:none}.trending-topics{margin-top:0}#site-footer-2022 .extras-block{display:none}#site-footer-2022 .extras-block.mobile{display:block}}.patheos-search-bar .searchbar{margin-bottom:auto;margin-top:auto;background-color:transparent;border-radius:30px;padding:10px;overflow:hidden;position:relative;top:1px;background-color:#fff}.sticky-ad{position:fixed;bottom:10px;width:768px;height:90px;left:50%;transform:translateX(-50%);z-index:999}.sticky-ad-close{position:absolute;left:687px;top:-16px;background:rgba(0,0,0,.4);padding:2px 5px;border-radius:10px 10px 0 0;color:#fff;font-family:serif;font-size:.7em;z-index:1}@media screen and (max-width:600px){.sticky-ad{visibility:hidden}}.cls-1{fill-rule:evenodd}html{font-family:sans-serif;-ms-text-size-adjust:100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%}body{margin:0}nav{display:block}a{background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0)}strong{font-weight:700}h1{font-size:2em;margin:.67em 0}img{border:0}svg:not(:root){overflow:hidden}button,input{color:inherit;font:inherit;margin:0}button{overflow:visible}button{text-transform:none}button{-webkit-appearance:button}button::-moz-focus-inner,input::-moz-focus-inner{border:0;padding:0}input{line-height:normal}.glyphicon{position:relative;top:1px;display:inline-block;font-family:"Glyphicons Halflings";font-style:normal;font-weight:400;line-height:1;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale}.glyphicon-chevron-down:before{content:""}*{-webkit-box-sizing:border-box;-moz-box-sizing:border-box;box-sizing:border-box}:after,:before{-webkit-box-sizing:border-box;-moz-box-sizing:border-box;box-sizing:border-box}html{font-size:10px}body{font-family:"Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;line-height:1.2;color:#000;background-color:#fff}button,input{font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}a{color:#000;text-decoration:none}img{vertical-align:middle}.sr-only{position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;margin:-1px;padding:0;overflow:hidden;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);border:0}h1,h2,h3{font-family:sans-serif,"Open Sans Condensed";font-weight:700;line-height:1.1;color:#000}h1,h2,h3{margin-top:19px;margin-bottom:9.5px}h1{font-size:48px}h2{font-size:34px}h3{font-size:28px}.text-center{text-align:center}ul{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:9.5px}.list-unstyled{padding-left:0;list-style:none}.container{margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;padding-left:15px;padding-right:15px}.container:after,.container:before{content:" ";display:table}.container:after{clear:both}@media (min-width:768px){.container{width:750px}}@media (min-width:1000px){.container{width:1030px}}@media (min-width:1300px){.container{width:1330px}}.row{margin-left:-15px;margin-right:-15px}.row:after,.row:before{content:" ";display:table}.row:after{clear:both}.col-lg-3,.col-lg-9,.col-md-4,.col-md-6,.col-md-8{position:relative;min-height:1px;padding-left:15px;padding-right:15px}@media (min-width:1000px){.col-md-4,.col-md-6,.col-md-8{float:left}.col-md-4{width:33.3333333333%}.col-md-6{width:50%}.col-md-8{width:66.6666666667%}div[class^=score-column].score-column1>.score-center{float:left;width:100%}}@media (min-width:1300px){.col-lg-3,.col-lg-9{float:left}.col-lg-3{width:25%}.col-lg-9{width:75%}}.collapse{display:none}.nav{margin-bottom:0;padding-left:0;list-style:none}.nav:after,.nav:before{content:" ";display:table}.nav:after{clear:both}.nav>li{position:relative;display:block}.nav>li>a{position:relative;display:block;padding:10px 15px}.navbar{position:relative;min-height:50px;margin-bottom:19px;border:1px solid transparent}.navbar:after,.navbar:before{content:" ";display:table}.navbar:after{clear:both}@media (min-width:768px){.navbar{border-radius:5px}.navbar-header{float:left}}.navbar-dark{font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Roboto,Oxygen-Sans,Ubuntu,Cantarell,"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol";color:#fff;min-height:40px;border:none;border-radius:0;background-color:#000}.navbar-header:after,.navbar-header:before{content:" ";display:table}.navbar-header:after{clear:both}.navbar-collapse{overflow-x:visible;padding-right:15px;padding-left:15px;border-top:1px solid transparent;box-shadow:inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,.1);-webkit-overflow-scrolling:touch}.navbar-collapse:after,.navbar-collapse:before{content:" ";display:table}.navbar-collapse:after{clear:both}.container>.navbar-collapse,.container>.navbar-header{margin-right:-15px;margin-left:-15px}@media (min-width:768px){.navbar-collapse{width:auto;border-top:0;box-shadow:none}.navbar-collapse.collapse{display:block!important;height:auto!important;padding-bottom:0;overflow:visible!important}.container>.navbar-collapse,.container>.navbar-header{margin-right:0;margin-left:0}.navbar-toggle{display:none}}.navbar-toggle{position:relative;float:right;margin-right:15px;padding:9px 10px;margin-top:8px;margin-bottom:8px;background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0);background-image:none;border:1px solid transparent;border-radius:5px}.navbar-nav{margin:7.75px -15px}.navbar-nav>li>a{padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;line-height:19px}@media (min-width:768px){.navbar-nav{float:left;margin:0}.navbar-nav>li{float:left}.navbar-nav>li>a{padding-top:15.5px;padding-bottom:15.5px}}.navbar-inverse{background-color:#222;border-color:#090909}.navbar-inverse .navbar-nav>li>a{color:#fff}.navbar-inverse .navbar-nav>.active>a{color:#fff;background-color:#090909}.navbar-inverse .navbar-toggle{border-color:#333}.navbar-inverse .navbar-collapse{border-color:#101010}.clearfix:after,.clearfix:before{content:" ";display:table}.clearfix:after{clear:both}.hide{display:none!important}.hidden{display:none!important}.visible-xs-block{display:none!important}@media (max-width:767px){.visible-xs-block{display:block!important}.hidden-xs{display:none!important}body,html{overflow-x:hidden;max-width:100%}}@media (min-width:768px)and (max-width:999px){.hidden-sm{display:none!important}}@media (min-width:1000px)and (max-width:1299px){.hidden-md{display:none!important}}@media (min-width:1300px){.hidden-lg{display:none!important}}div[class^=score-column]{margin-left:-15px;margin-right:-15px}div[class^=score-column]:after,div[class^=score-column]:before{content:" ";display:table}div[class^=score-column]:after{clear:both}div[class^=score-column].score-column1>.score-center{position:relative;min-height:1px;padding-left:15px;padding-right:15px}.page-wrapper{width:100%}nav.navbar{margin-bottom:0}nav .navbar-nav>li{clear:both}@media only screen and (min-width:0){nav .navbar-nav>li{clear:both}}@media only screen and (min-width:768px){nav .navbar-nav>li{clear:none}}nav .navbar-nav>li>a{float:left}.navbar-collapse{max-height:initial}body{position:relative}a img{-moz-transform:scale(1);-webkit-transform:scale(1);transform:scale(1);opacity:1}body,html{-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Roboto,Oxygen-Sans,Ubuntu,Cantarell,"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol"}.stripe{position:relative;overflow:hidden;margin:0;padding:30px 0}.stripe h1,.stripe h3{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0}.stripe img.stripe-bg{position:absolute;bottom:0;right:0;width:100%;height:auto;object-fit:cover;min-height:100%}.stripe.stripe-prime-1{background-color:#000}.stripe.stripe-prime-1 img.stripe-bg{opacity:.4}.buffer-top{margin-top:50px}.buffer-bottom{margin-bottom:50px}@media (max-width:1299px){.buffer-top{margin-top:30px}.buffer-bottom{margin-bottom:30px}h1{font-size:40px;line-height:42px}h2{font-size:32px;line-height:34px}h3{font-size:28px;line-height:30px}}@media (max-width:999px){.buffer-top{margin-top:24px}.buffer-bottom{margin-bottom:24px}}.remove-margin{margin:0!important}.row .row{margin:0!important}.type-color-prime-3{color:#96959a}h1,h2,h3{font-weight:700;letter-spacing:-1px}h1,h2,h3{color:#000}h3 a{color:#000;font-weight:700}h3 a:visited{color:#000}.over-dark{color:#fff!important}.over-dark a{color:#fff!important}.over-dark a:visited{color:#fff!important}a{color:#000;text-decoration:none;font-weight:700}a:visited{color:#000}p a{background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0);text-decoration:none;border-bottom:1px solid #bdd9d2;box-shadow:inset 0 -9px 0 #bdd9d2}p a:visited{text-decoration:none!important}p{margin:0 0 9.5px}.list-unstyled li{margin-bottom:10px;line-height:normal}.reduce-size{font-size:.85em;line-height:inherit}.stretch{letter-spacing:10px}@media (max-width:999px){h1{font-size:34px;line-height:36px}h2{font-size:30px;line-height:32px}h3{font-size:25px;line-height:27px}.stretch{letter-spacing:5px}}.navbar{font-family:sans-serif,"Open Sans Condensed";text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1px;font-size:14px;font-weight:700}.navbar-toggle{border-radius:4px}.navbar-dark{font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Roboto,Oxygen-Sans,Ubuntu,Cantarell,"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol";color:#fff;min-height:40px;border:none;border-radius:0;background-color:#000;letter-spacing:1px}.navbar-dark .active>a{color:#000!important;background-color:#ff9981!important}.navbar-dark .navbar-nav>li>a{padding-top:4px;padding-bottom:4px}.navbar-dark .navbar-toggle{margin-right:0;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;background-color:#ff9981;border:0;border-radius:0;padding:9px 13px}@media (max-width:999px){.navbar-dark{font-family:sans-serif,"Open Sans Condensed"}.navbar-dark .navbar-nav{margin:0 -15px;letter-spacing:normal}.navbar-header{float:none}.navbar-toggle{display:block}.navbar-collapse{border-top:1px solid transparent;box-shadow:inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,.1)}.navbar-collapse.collapse{display:none!important}.navbar-nav{float:none!important;margin-top:7.5px}.navbar-nav>li{float:none}.navbar-nav>li>a{padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px}nav .navbar-nav>li{clear:both}}.DFPAdSlot{display:inline-block;overflow-y:hidden}@media (max-width:767px){.remove-padding-mobile{padding:0!important}.navbar-dark{font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Roboto,Oxygen-Sans,Ubuntu,Cantarell,"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol"}.navbar-dark .navbar-nav{margin:0 -15px}.navbar-dark .navbar-nav>li>a{width:100%}.DFPAdSlot{padding:0;margin:0 -15px}}.DFPAdSlot::after{clear:both;content:"";display:block}.ad{padding:10px 0}.ad-container{width:100%;position:relative;text-align:center}.ad-container.top-ad{border-bottom:1px solid #e8e5f0;padding:20px}.ad-container .ad-notice{font-size:11px;color:#96959a;font-family:sans-serif,"Open Sans Condensed";font-weight:700}.ad-container .ad-notice::after{content:"ADVERTISEMENT"}.ad-container .ad-notice.alt-pos-above::after{content:""}.ad-container .ad-notice.alt-pos-above::before{content:"ADVERTISEMENT"}.ad-container .ad-notice.alt-text::after{content:"ADVERTISEMENT – feature continues below"}.ad-container .ad-notice.alt-text.alt-pos-above::after{content:""}.ad-container .ad-notice.alt-text.alt-pos-above::before{content:"ADVERTISEMENT – feature continues below"}@media (max-width:767px){.ad{padding:20px 0}.ad-container{min-height:auto}.DFPAdSlot{padding:0;margin:0 -30px}}button,input{font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;background-color:#fff;border:1px solid #ccc;padding:6px 16px}input{border-radius:4px}.dark-img-promo{position:relative;color:#fff!important;padding:20px 0}.dark-img-promo a{color:#fff}.dark-img-promo .title{font-size:60px;margin:0}@media (max-width:1299px){.dark-img-promo{font-size:18px;padding:0}}a,body{-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%;-ms-text-size-adjust:100%}img{-ms-interpolation-mode:bicubic}img{border:0;height:auto;line-height:100%;outline:0;text-decoration:none}body{height:100%!important;margin:0!important;padding:0!important;width:100%!important}@media screen and (max-width:525px){.wrapper{width:100%!important;max-width:100%!important}.ad-container{padding:30px 0!important}}.episode-thumb-block .episode-bar .select select,.episode-thumb-block .episode-bar .select::after{grid-area:select}.editorial-series-episode-list .select select,.editorial-series-episode-list .select::after{background-color:#000;grid-area:select}#patheos-page-content{width:100%;position:relative;top:0;right:0}#patheos-header-bar-mega-nav{width:100%;height:72px;position:relative;z-index:1000;background-color:#000;background:-webkit-linear-gradient(#000,#262626);background:-o-linear-gradient(#000,#262626);background:linear-gradient(#000,#262626)}#patheos-header-bar-mega-nav .patheos-logo-container{margin:auto;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;padding-top:17px;width:127px}@media (max-width:999px){.dark-img-promo .title{font-size:34px;line-height:36px}#patheos-page-content{position:relative}#patheos-header-bar-mega-nav{height:60px}#patheos-header-bar-mega-nav .header-logo img{width:100px;height:30px}#patheos-header-bar-mega-nav .patheos-logo-container{width:100px;padding-left:13px;padding-top:15px}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .subnav-bar{display:none}}#patheos-channel-mega-nav{text-align:center}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .subnav-bar{position:relative;z-index:999;background-color:#000;width:100%;padding:15px!important;position:absolute}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .subnav-channels-container{margin:auto!important;text-align:center;font-size:15px;text-decoration:none;position:relative;z-index:1001;top:4px;padding:0}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .subnav-channels-container a{font-weight:400}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .subnav-channels-container .channel{color:#d4d4d4!important;margin-left:5px;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Roboto,Oxygen-Sans,Ubuntu,Cantarell,"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol"}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .subnav-channels-container .channel::after{content:"|";color:#7ea198;margin-left:10px}@media (max-width:1299px){#patheos-channel-mega-nav .subnav-channels-container{font-size:13px;padding:0}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .subnav-channels-container .channel{margin-left:3px}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .subnav-channels-container .channel::after{margin-left:5px}}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .megamenuCollapse-container{position:relative;z-index:998;padding:0 6px;display:inline-block;color:#fff;text-transform:uppercase;font-weight:600}@media (max-width:1299px){#patheos-channel-mega-nav .megamenuCollapse-container{padding:0 4px}}@media (max-width:999px){#patheos-channel-mega-nav .subnav-channels-container .channel{display:none}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .megamenuCollapse-container{height:60px;width:60px;padding:20px 0 0 22px;position:absolute;right:0;top:-65px}}#patheos-channel-mega-nav .megamenuCollapse-container .megamenuCollapse-icon{background:url(https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/images/components/icons/patheos-menu-icon.svg) center center no-repeat;width:16px;height:12px;background-size:16px 12px;border:0;margin:4px 13px 0 0;display:inline-block;float:left}@media (max-width:999px){#patheos-channel-mega-nav .megamenuCollapse-container .megamenuCollapse-icon{height:20px;width:23px;background-size:20px 23px;margin:1px 13px 0 0}}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav{width:100%;z-index:998;background:#000;color:#fff;text-align:left;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Roboto,Oxygen-Sans,Ubuntu,Cantarell,"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol"!important;font-size:14px;border-bottom:5px solid #88b2a6;margin:auto!important;position:absolute}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-content{padding:20px 0;margin:auto;position:relative;top:12px;z-index:999;display:flex}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-content.first{border-top:1px solid #3d3d3d;padding:20px 0 0;margin-bottom:20px}@media (max-width:999px){#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-content.first{padding:0}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-content{display:block;padding:0 0 20px}}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-column{text-align:left;font-size:15px;flex-basis:25%;padding-right:20px}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-column.wide{flex-basis:40%}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .remove-indent{margin-left:-15px}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav li{margin:10px auto}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav li a{text-decoration:none;color:#cbcbcb;font-weight:400}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .header a{text-decoration:none;color:#fff;font-weight:600;margin:15px auto;border-bottom:0;text-align:left;font-size:17px;display:block}@media (max-width:999px){#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-column{padding-right:0;text-align:center}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav li{margin:13px auto}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .header a{text-align:center;display:inline-block}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer .items-right .foot-item{text-align:center}}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer{border-top:1px solid #3d3d3d;padding:36px 0 50px;display:block;top:0;margin-top:40px}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer .items-right{float:right}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer .items-right .foot-item{display:inline-block;position:relative}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer .items-right .foot-item a.subscription-support{text-decoration:underline;font-size:13px;position:absolute;bottom:-24px;left:0;color:#cbcbcb;font-weight:400}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer .items-left{float:left}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer .social-icons{border-left:1px solid #3d3d3d;padding-left:20px;margin-left:30px;display:inline-block;font-size:15px;color:#cbcbcb;font-weight:700}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer .social-icons span{padding:13px}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer .social-icons img.icon{width:35px;height:35px;margin:0 5px}@media (max-width:1299px){#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-column.wide{flex-basis:38%}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer .social-icons span{display:none}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer .social-icons{padding-left:20px;margin-left:20px}}@media (max-width:999px){#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer .social-icons{padding:0;margin:auto;border-left:0}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav{position:absolute;top:40px;padding-top:50px}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-footer{border-top:0;margin:auto}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .items-right{float:none;width:100%;margin:auto}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .foot-item{width:100%}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .menu-content.first{border:0;margin-bottom:0}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .header{border-top:1px solid #292929;padding:8px 15px;text-align:center;margin:0 auto}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .header::after{content:url(https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/images/components/icons/patheos-megamenuCarat2.svg);width:12px;height:12px;margin-left:10px;display:inline-block}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .header.no-carat:after{content:"";width:0;height:0;margin-left:0}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .ad-free-container{position:relative}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .ad-free-container a.subscription-support{text-decoration:underline;font-size:13px;position:relative;bottom:17px;left:auto;color:#cbcbcb;font-weight:400}#patheos-dropdown-mega-nav .genericAccordion{display:block;max-height:0;overflow:hidden}}.patheos-search-bar{border-radius:100px;height:36px}.patheos-search-bar.in-header{position:relative;float:right;min-width:42px;top:18px;right:23px}.patheos-search-bar.in-header .searchbar{height:36px;width:260px}.patheos-search-bar.in-dropdown{float:none;margin:auto!important;position:inherit;width:80%;max-width:300px;position:relative}.patheos-search-bar.in-dropdown .searchbar{text-align:center;height:36px;width:100%;right:0}.patheos-search-bar .searchbar{margin-bottom:auto;margin-top:auto;background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0);border-radius:30px;padding:10px;overflow:hidden;position:relative;top:1px;background-color:#fff}.patheos-search-bar .search_input{color:#383838;border:0;outline:0;background:0 0;line-height:18px;position:relative;top:-7px;left:10px;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Roboto,Oxygen-Sans,Ubuntu,Cantarell,"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol";font-size:15px;font-weight:400;opacity:1;width:100%}.patheos-search-bar .search_icon{position:absolute;top:10px;left:12px;opacity:1}.patheos-search-bar .search_icon svg{width:16px}.trending-topics{border-bottom:1px solid #cfcece;font-size:15px;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Roboto,Oxygen-Sans,Ubuntu,Cantarell,"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol";margin-top:10px}.trending-topics ul{list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0}.trending-topics li{display:inline-block;padding:6px 10px}.trending-topics li:nth-child(1){background-color:#7cb4a6;color:#fff;font-weight:700}.trending-topics a{font-weight:400}.trending-topics .list-divider{color:#7cb4a6;padding:6px 0}#site-footer-2022 .extras-block{float:right;margin-top:36px;position:relative}#site-footer-2022 .extras-block.mobile{display:none;float:none;text-align:center}#site-footer-2022 .extras-block.mobile .footer-social-icons{border-left:0;padding-left:0;margin:auto;display:block;text-align:center}@media (max-width:999px){.patheos-search-bar.in-dropdown{max-width:none}.trending-topics li{display:inline;line-height:30px;line-break:auto}.trending-topics{margin-top:0;max-height:30px;overflow:hidden}#site-footer-2022 .extras-block{display:none}#site-footer-2022 .extras-block.mobile{display:block}}#site-footer-2022 .extras-block.mobile a.subscription-support{bottom:32px;left:auto;display:block}#site-footer-2022 .extras-block a.subscription-support{text-decoration:underline;font-size:13px;position:relative;bottom:-38px;left:281px;color:#cbcbcb}#site-footer-2022 .footer-social-icons{border-left:1px solid #3d3d3d;padding-left:30px;margin-left:30px;display:inline-block;font-size:15px;color:#cbcbcb;font-weight:700}#site-footer-2022 .footer-social-icons img.icon{width:35px;height:35px;margin:0 5px}@media (max-width:1299px){#site-footer-2022 .footer-social-icons{padding-left:20px;margin-left:20px}}#site-footer-2022 a{color:#fff;font-weight:400}#site-footer-2022 a:visited{color:#fff}.section-title-2022{font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:30px;font-weight:300;margin:38px 10px}@media (max-width:999px){.section-title-2022{font-size:24px;margin:30px 15px}}.score-column1{margin:0 0 0 0 !important;}.col-md-6{width:100% !important;} </style> <style type="text/css"> component { display: none } .lazyblur { -webkit-filter: blur(5px); /* Safari 6.0 - 9.0 */ filter: blur(5px); } .lazyblur.lazyloaded { -webkit-filter: none; /* Safari 6.0 - 9.0 */ filter: none; transition: filter 200ms; } .sticky-ad { position: fixed; bottom: 10px; width: 768px; height: 90px; left: 50%; transform: translateX(-50%); z-index: 999; } .sticky-ad-close { position: absolute; cursor: pointer; left: 687px; top: -16px; background: rgba(0,0,0,0.4); padding: 2px 5px 2px 5px; border-radius: 10px 10px 0 0; color: #ffffff; font-family: serif; font-size: 0.7em; z-index: 1; } @media screen and (max-width: 600px) { .sticky-ad { visibility: hidden; } } </style>   <link rel="preconnect" href="https://01.cdn.mediatradecraft.com/" crossorigin="" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://01.cdn.mediatradecraft.com/" /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/" crossorigin="" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/" /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://c.amazon-adsystem.com/" crossorigin="" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://c.amazon-adsystem.com/" /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://micro.rubiconproject.com/" crossorigin="" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://micro.rubiconproject.com/" /> <script src="https://c.amazon-adsystem.com/aax2/apstag.js" async="true"></script> <script src="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js" async="true"></script> <script src="https://01.cdn.mediatradecraft.com/patheos/main/main.js?template=patheos_library_major_path" async="true"></script> <link href="https://01.cdn.mediatradecraft.com/patheos/main/main.css" media="print" onload="this.media='all'" rel="stylesheet" />   <script src="https://cookie-cdn.cookiepro.com/scripttemplates/otSDKStub.js" type="text/javascript" charset="UTF-8" data-domain-script="3f93598f-6412-4eae-a452-60ccd114b1eb"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> function OptanonWrapper() { } </script>   <script type="text/javascript"> window.admiral = window.admiral || function () { (admiral.q = admiral.q || []).push(arguments); }; window.admiral('targeting', 'pause', 5e3); (function () { console.info('checking premium post'); if (document.querySelector('html').getAttribute('data-page-type') == 'post') { console.info('page type is post, checking premium post'); var premiumBlog = document.querySelector('html').getAttribute('data-premium-blog'); // if front end runs first, use this selector var tagList = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll('.tagged-with-include-rss li')).map(tag => tag.innerText.toLowerCase()); // if nothing found, try running this selector which would work if front end hasn't run yet if (tagList.length == 0) { tagList = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll('rad-tagged-with li')).map(tag => tag.innerText.toLowerCase()); } if ((premiumBlog || tagList.includes("premium")) && !tagList.includes("free")) { console.debug('Calling Admiral to set premium flag'); window.admiral('targeting', 'set', 'premium', 'true'); // check if user is logged in and subscribed with an offer id. if so, add to targeting var cookies = document.cookie.split(';'); for (var i = 0; i < cookies.length; i++) { var keyvalues = cookies[i].split('='); var key = keyvalues[0].trim(); if ('offerID' === key) { window.admiral('targeting', 'set', 'offerId', keyvalues[1].trim()); // Unhide content document.getElementById('premium-content').classList.remove('blur'); document.getElementById('premium-content').classList.remove('fade-out'); } } console.debug('premium flag set'); } else { console.info('not a premium post.'); } } else { console.info('not a premium post'); } console.debug('checking metered content'); if (document.querySelector('html').getAttribute('data-is-metered') == '1') { window.admiral('targeting', 'set', 'metered', 'true'); console.debug('metered content flag set'); } })(); </script> <script type="text/javascript">!(function (o, n, t) { t = o.createElement(n), o = o.getElementsByTagName(n)[0], t.async = 1, t.src = "https://enviousshape.com/v2/0/wgwWCDdb2NiW1gz9y7pvfYreSsK5spr2b4pkfdg26e6IIxv4lclET_lRg68kIm2kwgg", o.parentNode.insertBefore(t, o) })(document, "script"), (function (o, n) { o[n] = o[n] || function () { (o[n].q = o[n].q || []).push(arguments) } })(window, "admiral"); !(function (n, e, r, t) { function o() { if ((function o(t) { try { return (t = localStorage.getItem("v4ac1eiZr0")) && 0 < t.split(",")[4] } catch (n) { } return !1 })()) { var t = n[e].pubads(); typeof t.setTargeting === r && t.setTargeting("admiral-engaged", "true") } } (t = n[e] = n[e] || {}).cmd = t.cmd || [], typeof t.pubads === r ? o() : typeof t.cmd.unshift === r ? t.cmd.unshift(o) : t.cmd.push(o) })(window, "googletag", "function");;;;;</script>   <script type="application/ld+json">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Organization","name":"Patheos","url":"https://www.patheos.com","logo":"https://www.patheos.com/~/media/images/components/navigation/patheos/patheos-logo-header.png","contactPoint":{"contactType":"Customer Service","@type":"ContactPoint","url":"https://www.patheos.com/about-patheos","availableLanguage":["English"]},"sameAs":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patheos","https://www.instagram.com/patheosofficial/","https://www.tiktok.com/@patheospodcasts","https://twitter.com/patheos","https://www.facebook.com/Patheos/"]}</script> <script type="application/ld+json">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","articleBody":" Taoism, also known as Daoism, is an indigenous Chinese religion often associated with the Daode jing (Tao Te Ching), a philosophical and political text purportedly written by Laozi (Lao Tzu) sometime in the 3rd or 4th centuries B.C.E. The Daode jing focuses on dao as a \"way\" or \"path\" — that is, the appropriate way to behave and to lead others — but the Daode jing also refers to Tao as something that existed \"before Heaven and Earth,\" a primal and chaotic matrix from which all forms emerged. Taoism did not exist as an organized religion until the Way of the Celestial Masters sect was founded in 142 C.E. by Zhang Daoling, who based the sect on spiritual communications from the deified Laozi. The Way of the Celestial Masters and other later sects of Taoism engaged in complex ritual practices, including devotion to a wide range of celestial divinities and immortals, and thousands of Taoist religious texts were produced over the centuries. Taoists also engaged with Chinese politics in a variety of ways throughout Chinese history. At one time, scholars in both China and the West distinguished philosophical from religious Taoism, but more recently a continuity of belief and practice between these has been recognized. In both, a harmonious relationship between nature, humanity, and the divine is emphasized, and both are concerned with appropriate behavior and ways of leading and governing others. The term \"Tao\" has a number of meanings. Taoist religious sects were persecuted in China during the 19th and 20th centuries, but are currently undergoing a revival. Western interest in Taoism has, for the most part, been confined to the Daode jing, but in both the West and in the East, there is considerable interest in practices which, while not \"Taoist\" per se , are often associated with Taoism, ranging from fengshui to taiji quan to acupuncture and herbal medicine. Quick Fact Details : Formed : As with many ancient religious traditions, an exact date is impossible to determine. Taoist ideas and early writings long precede any organizational structure. The date given here (c. 550 B.C.E.) is generally the time period when a variety of spiritual thinkers were putting their ideas into writing. These writings were not collected as a composite teaching of the \"Tao\" until the 4th or 3rd century B.C.E. Deity : While Taoists recognize a vast pantheon of gods and goddesses, they do not acknowledge any that are omnipotent or eternal. All the gods, including Laozi, are divine emanations of celestial energy. Headquarters : Taoism has no centralized authority and different sects have different headquarters. However, the White Cloud Temple in Beijing is a key center for training for priests and for administration. Quick Fact Sources include www.adherents.com , www.bbc.co.uk/religion , The Oxford Handbook of Global Religions (2006), The Encyclopedia of Religion (2005), the Religious Movements Page at the University of Virginia , The Cambridge Illustrated History of Religions (2002), and the Encyclopedia of World Religions (1999). ","articleSection":[],"dateModified":"2024-04-01T23:20:20Z","description":"Taoism, also spelled Daoism, is an indigenous religious and philosophical system which has shaped Chinese culture since the 6th century B.C.E. and continues to permeate Chinese thought.","headline":"Taoism Origins, Taoism History, Taoism Beliefs","thumbnailUrl":"https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/site-headers/religion-library/religion-library-taoism-m.jpg?as=1&mh=333&mw=333","inLanguage":"en","datePublished":"2017-09-07T15:18:06Z","author":null,"image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/site-headers/religion-library/religion-library-taoism-m.jpg?as=1&mh=333&mw=333","contentUrl":null,"caption":null,"width":null,"height":null,"creditText":null,"dateCreated":null,"dateModified":null,"sourceOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":null,"mainEntityOfPage":null}}],"mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","url":"https://www.patheos.com/library/taoism","dateModified":"2024-04-01T23:20:20Z","inLanguage":"en","name":"Taoism Origins, Taoism History, Taoism Beliefs","headline":"Taoism Origins, Taoism History, Taoism Beliefs","description":"Taoism, also spelled Daoism, is an indigenous religious and philosophical system which has shaped Chinese culture since the 6th century B.C.E. and continues to permeate Chinese thought.","datePublished":"2017-09-07T15:18:06Z"}}</script> <script type='text/javascript'> (function () { /** CONFIGURATION START **/ var _sf_async_config = window._sf_async_config = (window._sf_async_config || {}); _sf_async_config.uid = 21057; // UID IS SAME FOR ALL SITES ON YOUR ACCOUNT _sf_async_config.domain = 'patheos.com'; // DON'T INCLUDE HTTP(S) OR WWW _sf_async_config.useCanonical = true; _sf_async_config.useCanonicalDomain = true; _sf_async_config.flickerControl = false; _sf_async_config.sections = ''; //SET PAGE-LEVEL SECTION(S) _sf_async_config.authors = ''; //SET PAGE-LEVEL AUTHOR(S) /** CONFIGURATION END **/ function loadChartbeat() { var e = document.createElement('script'); var n = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; e.type = 'text/javascript'; e.async = true; e.src = '//static.chartbeat.com/js/chartbeat.js'; n.parentNode.insertBefore(e, n); } loadChartbeat(); })(); </script> <script async src="//static.chartbeat.com/js/chartbeat_mab.js"></script> </head> <body>  <noscript> <iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-W3V8F2" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe> </noscript>   <div> <div class="wrapper">  <div id="patheos-page-content">  <div id="patheos-header-bar-mega-nav"> <div class="patheos-logo-container"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/" class="header-logo"><img src="https://www.patheos.com/~/media/images/components/navigation/patheos/patheos-logo-header.png" alt="Patheos" width="127" height="38"></a> </div> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/special-offers" class="nav-special-action desktop">Special Offers</a> <div class="patheos-search-bar in-header hidden-sm hidden-xs"> <div class="searchbar "> <form name="search" class="desktop-search-form" method="get" action="/search"> <input class="search_input" type="text" name="q" placeholder="Search Patheos"> <a href="#" class="search_icon" onclick="document.getElementsByClassName('desktop-search-form')[0].submit(); return false;"> <svg id="Layer_1" data-name="Layer 1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 32.41 32.19"> <defs> <style> .cls-1 { fill-rule: evenodd; } </style> </defs> <path class="cls-1" d="M32,31.9a2,2,0,0,1-2.9.1l-8.4-8.5A12.38,12.38,0,0,1,13.1,26,12.8,12.8,0,0,1,13.1.4,12.91,12.91,0,0,1,26,13.2a12.42,12.42,0,0,1-2.3,7.3L32.2,29A2.06,2.06,0,0,1,32,31.9ZM13.2,3.5A9.8,9.8,0,1,0,23,13.3,9.82,9.82,0,0,0,13.2,3.5Z" transform="translate(-0.3 -0.4)" /> </svg> </a> </form> </div> </div> </div>  <div id="patheos-channel-mega-nav"> <div class="subnav-bar"></div> <div class="subnav-channels-container container"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/buddhist" class="channel">Buddhist</a><a href="https://www.patheos.com/catholic" class="channel">Catholic</a><a href="https://www.patheos.com/contemplative" class="channel">Contemplative</a><a href="https://www.patheos.com/evangelical" class="channel">Evangelical</a><a href="https://www.patheos.com/general-christian" class="channel">General Christian</a><a href="https://www.patheos.com/hindu" class="channel">Hindu</a><a href="https://www.patheos.com/jewish" class="channel">Jewish</a><a href="https://www.patheos.com/latter-day-saint" class="channel">Latter-day Saint</a><a href="https://www.patheos.com/muslim" class="channel">Muslim</a><a href="https://www.patheos.com/new-visions" class="channel">New Visions</a><a href="https://www.patheos.com/progressive-christian" class="channel">Progressive Christian</a> <rad-toggle-button target-div="patheos-dropdown-mega-nav" toggle-div="megamenuCollapse" toggle-message="close menu"> <div id="megamenuCollapse" class="megamenuCollapse-container"> <div class="megamenuCollapse-icon"></div> </div> </rad-toggle-button> </div> </div>  <nav id="patheos-dropdown-mega-nav" class="collapse"> <div class="container menu-content first"> <div class="menu-column"> <rad-toggle-button target-div="accordionbeb86747-d637-424b-a2d0-865c743091d3" added-class="open" :disable-desktop="true"> <div class="header"> <a href="javascript:void(0);">Beliefs</a></div> </rad-toggle-button> <div id="accordionbeb86747-d637-424b-a2d0-865c743091d3" class="genericAccordion"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/buddhist">Buddhist</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/catholic">Catholic</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/contemplative">Contemplative</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/evangelical">Evangelical</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/general-christian">General Christian</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/hindu">Hindu</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/jewish">Jewish</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/latter-day-saint">Latter-day Saint</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/more-voices">More Voices</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/muslim">Muslim</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/new-visions">New Visions</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/pagan">Pagan</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/progressive-christian">Progressive Christian</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="menu-column"> <rad-toggle-button target-div="accordion0e8dcbaf-d0bf-4a51-8e77-c56f25bdebff" added-class="open" :disable-desktop="true"> <div class="header"> <a href="javascript:void(0);">Topics</a></div> </rad-toggle-button> <div id="accordion0e8dcbaf-d0bf-4a51-8e77-c56f25bdebff" class="genericAccordion"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/religion-news">Religion News</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/food-and-religion">Food and Religion</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/sports-and-religion">Sports and Religion</a></li> <li class="" style="z-index: 1;"><a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/religious-art">Religious Art</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/religious-music-and-entertainment">Religious Music and Entertainment</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/religious-events">Religious Events</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/history-and-religion">History and Religion</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/style-and-religion">Style and Religion</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/politics-and-religion">Politics and Religion</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/women-in-religion">Women in Religion</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/recreation-outdoors-and-religion">Recreation Outdoors and Religion</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/business-finance-and-religion">Business Finance and Religion</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/careers-workplace-and-religion">Careers Workplace and Religion</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/education-and-religion">Education and Religion</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/family-parenting-and-religion">Family Parenting and Religion</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/health-fitness-and-religion">Health Fitness and Religion</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/home-and-religion">Home and Religion</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/relationships-and-religion">Relationships and Religion</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/technology-and-religion">Technology and Religion</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/topic/travel-and-religion">Travel and Religion</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="menu-column"> <rad-toggle-button target-div="accordion1d0bb735-15c4-4a80-8f6f-387a91ae2e9f" added-class="open" :disable-desktop="true"> <div class="header"> <a href="javascript:void(0);">Columnists</a></div> </rad-toggle-button> <div id="accordion1d0bb735-15c4-4a80-8f6f-387a91ae2e9f" class="genericAccordion"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/buddhist-blogs">Buddhist Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/business-finance-and-religion-blogs">Business Finance and Religion Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/careers-workplace-and-religion-blogs">Careers Workplace and Religion Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/catholic-blogs">Catholic Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/contemplative-blogs">Contemplative Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/education-and-religion-blogs">Education and Religion Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/evangelical-blogs">Evangelists Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/family-parenting-and-religion-blogs">Family Parenting and Religion Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/general-christian-blogs">General Christian Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/health-fitness-and-religion-blogs">Health Fitness and Religion Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/hindu-blogs">Hindu Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/history-and-religion-blogs">History and Religion Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/home-and-religion-blogs">Home and Religion Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/jewish-blogs">Jewish Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/more-voices-blogs">More Voices Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/latter-day-saint-blogs">Latter Day Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/muslim-blogs">Muslim Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/new-visions-blogs">New Visions Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/nonreligious-blogs">Nonreligious Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/pagan-blogs">Pagan Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/politics-and-religion-blogs">Politics and Religion Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/progressive-christian-blogs">Progressive Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/recreation-outdoors-and-religion-blogs">Recreation Outdoors and Religion Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/relationships-and-religion-blogs">Relationships and Religion Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/religion-news-blogs">Religion News Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/religious-art-blogs">Religious Art Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/religious-events-blogs">Religious Events Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/religious-music-and-entertainment-blogs">Religious Music and Entertainment Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/sports-and-religion-blogs">Sports and Religion Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/style-and-religion-blogs">Style and Religion Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/technology-and-religion-blogs">Technology and Religion Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/travel-and-religion-blogs">Travel and Religion Columnists</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/women-in-religion-blogs">Women in Religion Columnists</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="menu-column wide"> <rad-toggle-button target-div="accordionc42c2a43-974e-4de2-9609-eab8aacb8d4f" added-class="open" :disable-desktop="true"> <div class="header"> <a href="javascript:void(0);">Resource Library</a></div> </rad-toggle-button> <div id="accordionc42c2a43-974e-4de2-9609-eab8aacb8d4f" class="genericAccordion"> <ul class="list-unstyled remove-indent col-md-6"> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/interfaith-calendar/2025?utm_source=footer&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=link&utm_id=nav">2025 Calendar</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library">Library of World Religions</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/sacred-spaces/overview">The 100 Most Holy Places on Earth</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/answers">Patheos Answers</a></li> <li class="" style="z-index: 1;"><a href="https://www.patheos.com/editorial/podcasts">Podcasts</a></li> <li class="" style="z-index: 1;"><a href="https://www.patheos.com/editorial/videos/answers">Videos</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/faith-figures-database">Faith Leaders Database</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/anglican">Anglican Episcopalian</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/bahai">Bahai</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/baptist">Baptist</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/buddhism">Buddhism</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/christianity">Christianity</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/confucianism">Confucianism</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/eastern-orthodoxy">Eastern Orthodoxy</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/hinduism">Hinduism</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/pentecostal">Holiness and Pentecostal</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/iskcon-hare-krishna">ISKCON</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/islam">Islam</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/judaism">Judaism</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/lutheran">Lutheran</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/methodist">Methodist</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/mormonism">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a></li> </ul> <ul class="list-unstyled remove-indent col-md-6"> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/new-age">New Age</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/pagan">Paganism</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/presbyterian">Presbytarian and Reformed</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/protestantism">Protestantism</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/religion-behind-the-scenes" class="tier-2">Religion Behind the Scenes</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/roman-catholicism">Roman Catholic</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/scientology">Scientology</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/shia-islam">Shia Islam</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/sikhism">Sikhism</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/sufism">Sufism</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/sunni-islam">Sunni Islam</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/taoism">Taoism</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/zen">Zen</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library">See all religions</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix"></div> <div class="container menu-content"> <div class="menu-column"> <rad-toggle-button target-div="accordion4f46426a-1fe2-41a3-b9ee-706d64fa50d9" added-class="open" :disable-desktop="true"> <div class="header"> <a href="javascript:void(0);">Research Tools</a></div> </rad-toggle-button> <div id="accordion4f46426a-1fe2-41a3-b9ee-706d64fa50d9" class="genericAccordion"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/lenses/side-by-side">Comparison Lens</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/preachers">Preacher Resources</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/teachers">Teacher Resources</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="menu-column"> <div class="header no-carat"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/editorial/videos">Video</a></div> <div class="header no-carat"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/editorial/podcasts">Podcasts</a></div> <div class="header no-carat"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/articles-and-essays">Thought Readers</a></div> </div> <div class="menu-column"> <rad-toggle-button target-div="accordiond31a0ce5-2719-4f4c-9d9a-fb9f461c2738" added-class="open" :disable-desktop="true"> <div class="header"> <a href="javascript:void(0);">E-Books and Other Special Offers</a></div> </rad-toggle-button> <div id="accordiond31a0ce5-2719-4f4c-9d9a-fb9f461c2738" class="genericAccordion"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li> <a href="https://cr.patheos.com/path-gods-cheat-sheet-to-finance">God's Cheat Sheet to Finances</a></li> <li> <a href="https://cr.patheos.com/path-books-of-bible-signup?track1=HouseNav_BooksBible_P">Books of the Bible Study series</a></li> <li> <a href="https://l.patheos.com/excavating-the-history-of-the-bible-la/">History of the Bible</a></li> <li> <a href="https://cr.patheos.com/path-marriage-prayer-challenge-signup?track1=HouseNav_Marriage_P">7 Day Prayer Challenge for Spouses</a></li> <li> <a href="https://cr.patheos.com/path-different-christian-signup/?sourceid=101&track1=HouseNav_DKoC_P">A Different Kind of Christian</a></li> <li> <a href="https://cr.patheos.com/path-jesusislove-signup/?sourceid=97&track1=HouseNav_JIL_P">Jesus is Love</a></li> <li> <a href="https://cr.patheos.com/path-devotional-signup?track1=HouseNav_Dev_P&sourceid=176">Prayer Devotional</a></li> <li> <a href="https://cr.patheos.com/path-catholic-coloringbook-signup?track1=HouseNav_CCB_P&sourceid=111">The Saints We Love</a></li> <li> <a href="https://cr.patheos.com/path-conversation-cards?track1=HouseNav_Convo_P">FaithChatter Conversation Cards</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="menu-column wide"> <div class="header no-carat"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/subscribe/newsletters">Newsletters</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix"></div> <div class="clearfix"></div>  <a href="https://www.patheos.com/special-offers" class="nav-special-action mobile">Special Offers</a> <div class="patheos-search-bar in-dropdown hidden-md hidden-lg"> <div class="searchbar "> <form name="search" class="desktop-search-form" method="get" action="/search"> <input class="search_input" type="text" name="q" placeholder="Search Patheos"> <a href="#" class="search_icon" onclick="document.getElementsByClassName('desktop-search-form')[0].submit(); return false;"> <svg id="Layer_1" data-name="Layer 1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 32.41 32.19"> <defs> <style> .cls-1 { fill-rule: evenodd; } </style> </defs> <path class="cls-1" d="M32,31.9a2,2,0,0,1-2.9.1l-8.4-8.5A12.38,12.38,0,0,1,13.1,26,12.8,12.8,0,0,1,13.1.4,12.91,12.91,0,0,1,26,13.2a12.42,12.42,0,0,1-2.3,7.3L32.2,29A2.06,2.06,0,0,1,32,31.9ZM13.2,3.5A9.8,9.8,0,1,0,23,13.3,9.82,9.82,0,0,0,13.2,3.5Z" transform="translate(-0.3 -0.4)" /> </svg> </a> </form> </div> </div> <div class="ad-free-container hidden-md hidden-lg"> <rad-admiral-login anchor-class="ad-free-login"> <img src="https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/images/components/icons/profile-icon.svg" alt="" width="29" height="29" />Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In </rad-admiral-login> <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b0c3c5c0c0dfc2c4f0d7d5c4d1d4ddd9c2d1dc9ed3dfdd8fc3c5d2dad5d3c48de0d1c4d8d5dfc390e3c5d2c3d3c2d9c0c4d9dfde90e3c5c0c0dfc2c4" class="subscription-support">Subscription Support</a> </div> <div class="container menu-content menu-footer"> <div class="items-left hidden-sm hidden-xs"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/" class="header-logo"><img src="https://www.patheos.com/~/media/images/components/navigation/patheos/patheos-logo-header.png" alt="Patheos" width="130" height="39"></a> </div> <div class="items-right"> <div class="foot-item hidden-sm hidden-xs"> <rad-admiral-login anchor-class="ad-free-login"> <img src="https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/images/components/icons/profile-icon.svg" alt="" width="29" height="29" />Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In </rad-admiral-login> <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0f7c7a7f7f607d7b4f686a7b6e6b62667d6e63216c6062307c7a6d656a6c7b325f6e7b676a607c2f5c7a6d7c6c7d667f7b6660612f5c7a7f7f607d7b" class="subscription-support">Subscription Support</a> </div> <div class="foot-item"> <div class="social-icons"> <span>Follow Patheos</span> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Patheos/"><img src="https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/images/components/icons/Patheos-Facebook-Icon.svg" alt="Patheos on Facebook" class="icon"></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5u2f85lX38wm6NEne5pXFw"><img src="https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/images/components/icons/Patheos-YouTube-Icon.svg" alt="Patheos on YouTube" class="icon"></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </nav>  </div> </div> <div class="container"> <div class="score-column1 "> <div class="score-center"> <div class="row "> <div class="container full-width remove-padding-mobile"> <div class="trending-topics"> <ul> <li>Trending:</li> <li><a href="https://www.patheos.com/trending-topics/f/forgiveness">Forgiveness</a></li> <li class="list-divider">|</li> <li><a href="https://www.patheos.com/trending-topics/r/resurrection">Resurrection</a></li> <li class="list-divider">|</li> <li><a href="https://www.patheos.com/trending-topics/v/valentines-day">Valentine's Day</a></li> <li class="list-divider">|</li> <li><a href="https://www.patheos.com/trending-topics/t/trump">Trump</a></li> <li class="list-divider">|</li> <li><a href="https://www.patheos.com/trending-topics/m/mary">Mary</a></li> <li class="list-divider">|</li> <li><a href="https://www.patheos.com/trending-topics/s/social-justice">Social Justice</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="page-wrapper "> <link href="https://www.patheos.com/library/taoism" /> <div class="container full-width"> <div class="score-column1 "> <div class="score-center"> <div id="mtc-top-ad" class="score-component ad ad-container hidden-xs top-ad " style="height: 325px !important;"> </div> <div class="stripe stripe-prime-1"> <picture> <source media="(min-width: 1000px)" srcset="https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/site-headers/religion-library/religion-library-taoism.jpg?as=1&w=1000" class="stripe-bg" no-lazy-load> <source srcset="https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/site-headers/religion-library/religion-library-taoism-m.jpg?as=1&w=390" class="stripe-bg" no-lazy-load> <img src="https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/site-headers/religion-library/religion-library-taoism-m.jpg?as=1&w=390" alt="" class="stripe-bg" width="390" height="208" no-lazy-load /> </picture> <div class="container text-center dark-img-promo"> <div class=" blurb"> <div class="over-dark"> <h3 class="over-dark remove-margin"><a href="//www.patheos.com/library"><div class="reduce-size stretch">RELIGION LIBRARY</div></a></h3> <h1 class="over-dark title" itemprop="name"> Taoism </h1> </div> </div> </div> </div> <nav class="navbar navbar-inverse navbar-dark"> <div class="container">  <div class="navbar-header"> <button type="button" class="navbar-toggle collapsed" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#defaultNavbar1"> <span class="sr-only">Toggle navigation</span> <i class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-down"></i> </button> </div>  <div class="collapse navbar-collapse" id="defaultNavbar1"> <ul class="nav navbar-nav"> <li class="active " style="z-index: 1;"><a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/taoism">Overview</a></li> <li class=" " style="z-index: 1;"><a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/taoism/origins">Origins</a></li> <li class=" " style="z-index: 1;"><a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/taoism/historical-development">History</a></li> <li class=" " style="z-index: 1;"><a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/taoism/beliefs">Beliefs</a></li> <li class=" " style="z-index: 1;"><a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/taoism/ritual-worship-devotion-symbolism">Rituals and Worship</a></li> <li class=" " style="z-index: 1;"><a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/taoism/ethics-morality-community">Ethics and Community</a></li> </ul> </div>  </div>  </nav> </div> </div> </div> <div class="container"> <div class="score-column1 "> <div class="score-center"> <div class="row "> <div class="container buffer-top"> <div class="col-md-8 col-lg-9"> <div class="row "> <div class="section-title-2022"> overview </div> </div> <div class="row "> <div class="dropcap buffer-bottom"> <p>Taoism, also known as Daoism, is an indigenous Chinese religion often associated with the <em>Daode jing</em> (Tao Te Ching), a philosophical and political text purportedly written by Laozi (Lao Tzu) sometime in the 3rd or 4th centuries B.C.E. The Daode jing focuses on dao as a "way" or "path" — that is, the appropriate way to behave and to lead others — but the Daode jing also refers to Tao as something that existed "before Heaven and Earth," a primal and chaotic matrix from which all forms emerged. Taoism did not exist as an organized religion until the Way of the Celestial Masters sect was founded in 142 C.E. by Zhang Daoling, who based the sect on spiritual communications from the deified Laozi. The Way of the Celestial Masters and other later sects of Taoism engaged in complex ritual practices, including devotion to a wide range of celestial divinities and immortals, and thousands of Taoist religious texts were produced over the centuries. Taoists also engaged with Chinese politics in a variety of ways throughout Chinese history. At one time, scholars in both China and the West distinguished philosophical from religious Taoism, but more recently a continuity of belief and practice between these has been recognized. In both, a harmonious relationship between nature, humanity, and the divine is emphasized, and both are concerned with appropriate behavior and ways of leading and governing others. The term "Tao" has a number of meanings. Taoist religious sects were persecuted in China during the 19th and 20th centuries, but are currently undergoing a revival. Western interest in Taoism has, for the most part, been confined to the Daode jing, but in both the West and in the East, there is considerable interest in practices which, while not "Taoist" <em>per se</em>, are often associated with Taoism, ranging from fengshui to taiji quan to acupuncture and herbal medicine.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Quick Fact Details</strong>:</p> <ul> <li><em>Formed</em>: As with many ancient religious traditions, an exact date is impossible to determine. Taoist ideas and early writings long precede any organizational structure. The date given here (c. 550 B.C.E.) is generally the time period when a variety of spiritual thinkers were putting their ideas into writing. These writings were not collected as a composite teaching of the "Tao" until the 4th or 3rd century B.C.E.</li> <li><em>Deity</em>: While Taoists recognize a vast pantheon of gods and goddesses, they do not acknowledge any that are omnipotent or eternal. All the gods, including Laozi, are divine emanations of celestial energy.</li> <li><em>Headquarters</em>: Taoism has no centralized authority and different sects have different headquarters. However, the White Cloud Temple in Beijing is a key center for training for priests and for administration.</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><strong>Quick Fact Sources</strong> include <a href="http://www.adherents.com/" target="_blank">www.adherents.com</a>, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion" target="_blank">www.bbc.co.uk/religion</a>, <em>The Oxford Handbook of Global Religions </em>(2006), <em>The Encyclopedia of Religion</em> (2005), the <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20060827230831/religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/profiles/profiles.htm" target="_blank">Religious Movements Page at the University of Virginia</a>, <em>The Cambridge Illustrated History of Religions</em> (2002), and the <em>Encyclopedia of World Religions </em>(1999).</p> </div> <h2 class="type-color-prime-3">Quick Facts</h2> <table class="table table-striped table-bordered caps"> <tbody> <tr> <td>Formed</td> <td>c. 550 B.C.E.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Adherents</td> <td>20,000,000</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Deity</td> <td>Pantheistic</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sacred Text</td> <td>Zhuangzi, Daode Jing, Yi Jing</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Origin</td> <td>China</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Headquarters</td> <td>White Cloud Temple, Beijing, China</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div class="clearfix "> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/library/taoism/origins" class="btn btn-bold btn-prime-1 col-xs-12">Origins<i class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-right"></i></a> </div> <a href="/library" class="btn btn-prime-3 col-xs-12 add-top-margin">Back to Religion Library</a> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-4 col-lg-3"> <rad-affix> </rad-affix> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="container full-width"> <div class="score-column1 "> <div class="score-center"> <rad-newsletters-signup-wide source-desc="3" header="Get%20Patheos%20Newsletters" blurb="Get%20the%20latest%20from%20Patheos%20by%20signing%20up%20for%20our%20newsletters.%20Try%20our%203%20most%20popular%2C%20or%20select%20from%20our%20huge%20collection%20of%20unique%20and%20thought-provoking%20newsletters." email-button-text="Enter email address" signup-button-text="sign me up" partner-mail-blurb="From time to time you will also receive Special Offers from our partners that help us make this content free for you. You can opt out of these offers at any time." see-all-text="see%20our%20full%20list%20of%20newsletters" :newsletters="["57","46","43"]" :newsletters-titles="["Best of Patheos","Sharing the Gospel","Christians For a Better Christianity"]" :newsletters-blurbs="["Simply the finest and most popular features from Patheos columnists.","The best in evangelical thought, commentary on current events and culture, and biblical wisdom designed to energize your Christian faith.","News and commentary from today’s top Progressive Christian voices on faith and politics, social justice, transforming theology, the Bible and more."]" path-url="https://cr.patheos.com/admiral" > </rad-newsletters-signup-wide> </div> </div> </div> <div class="container"> <div class="score-column1 "> <div class="score-center"> <div class="section-title decorated"> <div class="titletext">editors picks <a href="https://www.patheos.com/channels" class="btn btn-sm btn-prime-2 supporting-btn">View all columns</a></div> </div> <section class="buffer-top"> <div class="row related-content-grid" data-tb-region="Related Content: Global Editors Picks"> <div class="row related-content-ad-row"> <div class="related-content-item col-xs-6 col-sm-3 content"> <div class="related-content clearfix default" data-tb-region-item> <div class="image-container four-three"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/evangelicalpulpit/2021/01/before-you-unplug-or-sign-out-for-good/"><img src="https://wp-media.patheos.com/blogs/sites/483/2021/01/typing-hand-computer-keyboard-finger-technology-electronic-device-1622668-pxhere.com_-350x350.jpg" alt="" class="ratio-4-3" /></a> </div> <div class="tag-decorated"> <a href="">Evangelical</a> </div> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/evangelicalpulpit/2021/01/before-you-unplug-or-sign-out-for-good/">Before You Unplug or Sign Out for Good</a> </div> <div class="decorated-divider"></div> <div class="by-line"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/evangelicalpulpit">Guest Contributor</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="related-content-item col-xs-6 col-sm-3 content"> <div class="related-content clearfix default" data-tb-region-item> <div class="image-container four-three"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/randyalcorn/2020/11/spiritual-gifts/"><img src="https://wp-media.patheos.com/blogs/sites/644/2020/10/flowers-spiritual-gift-350x350.jpg" alt="" class="ratio-4-3" /></a> </div> <div class="tag-decorated"> <a href="">Evangelical</a> </div> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/randyalcorn/2020/11/spiritual-gifts/">What Is the Purpose of Spiritual Gifts, and How Do You Discover Yours?</a> </div> <div class="decorated-divider"></div> <div class="by-line"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/randyalcorn">Randy Alcorn</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="related-content-item col-xs-6 col-sm-3 content wide"> <div class="related-content clearfix default" data-tb-region-item> <div class="image-container four-three"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/wakeupcall/2020/10/5-ways-to-hear-what-god-is-telling-you/"><img src="https://wp-media.patheos.com/blogs/sites/267/2020/10/rob-mulally-oacHEtIlXsA-unsplash-350x350.jpg" alt="" class="ratio-4-3" /></a> </div> <div class="tag-decorated"> <a href="">New Visions</a> </div> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/wakeupcall/2020/10/5-ways-to-hear-what-god-is-telling-you/">5 Ways to Hear What God is Telling You</a> </div> <div class="decorated-divider"></div> <div class="by-line"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/wakeupcall">Tom Rapsas</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="related-content-item col-xs-6 col-sm-3 ad-block hidden-xs"> <div class="related-content clearfix default" data-tb-region-item> <div id="" class="score-component ad ad-container hidden-xs remove-padding hidden-xs " style=""> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row flexer"> <div class="related-content-item col-xs-6 col-sm-3 content"> <div class="related-content clearfix default" data-tb-region-item> <div class="image-container four-three"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/livingtradition/2020/11/how-awake-are-we-when-waking-up-is-falling-asleep/"><img src="https://wp-media.patheos.com/blogs/sites/674/2020/11/fairy-tale-1081151_1280-350x350.jpg" alt="" class="ratio-4-3" /></a> </div> <div class="tag-decorated"> <a href="">Muslim</a> </div> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/livingtradition/2020/11/how-awake-are-we-when-waking-up-is-falling-asleep/">How Awake Are We? When Waking Up is Falling Asleep</a> </div> <div class="decorated-divider"></div> <div class="by-line"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/livingtradition">Daniel Thomas Dyer</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="related-content-item col-xs-6 col-sm-3 content"> <div class="related-content clearfix default" data-tb-region-item> <div class="image-container four-three"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/danpeterson/2020/10/the-church-supports-the-use-of-vaccinations.html"><img src="https://wp-media.patheos.com/blogs/sites/186/2020/10/Burying_Plague_Victims_of_Tournai.jpg" alt="" class="ratio-4-3" /></a> </div> <div class="tag-decorated"> <a href="">Latter-day Saint</a> </div> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/danpeterson/2020/10/the-church-supports-the-use-of-vaccinations.html">"The Church supports the use of vaccinations"</a> </div> <div class="decorated-divider"></div> <div class="by-line"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/danpeterson">Dan Peterson</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="related-content-item col-xs-6 col-sm-3 content"> <div class="related-content clearfix default" data-tb-region-item> <div class="image-container four-three"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/chorusinthechaos/luther-and-the-beauty-of-christ/"><img src="https://wp-media.patheos.com/blogs/sites/671/2020/11/Luther-350x350.jpg" alt="" class="ratio-4-3" /></a> </div> <div class="tag-decorated"> <a href="">Evangelical</a> </div> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/chorusinthechaos/luther-and-the-beauty-of-christ/">Luther and the Beauty of Christ</a> </div> <div class="decorated-divider"></div> <div class="by-line"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/chorusinthechaos">Guest Contributor</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="related-content-item col-xs-6 col-sm-3 content"> <div class="related-content clearfix default" data-tb-region-item> <div class="image-container four-three"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/reelfaith/2020/11/the-soul-of-gospel-music-explored-in-new-netflix-series-voices-of-fire.html"><img src="https://wp-media.patheos.com/blogs/sites/720/2020/11/PatrickRiddick.jpg" alt="" class="ratio-4-3" /></a> </div> <div class="tag-decorated"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/">Patheos</a> </div> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/reelfaith/2020/11/the-soul-of-gospel-music-explored-in-new-netflix-series-voices-of-fire.html">The Soul of Gospel Music Explored in New Netflix Series "Voices of Fire"</a> </div> <div class="decorated-divider"></div> <div class="by-line"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/reelfaith">DeWayne Hamby</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row related-content-ad-row"> <div class="related-content-item col-xs-6 col-sm-3 ad-block hidden-xs"> <div class="related-content clearfix default" data-tb-region-item> <div id="" class="score-component ad ad-container hidden-xs remove-padding hidden-xs " style=""> </div> </div> </div> <div class="related-content-item col-xs-6 col-sm-3 content wide"> <div class="related-content clearfix default" data-tb-region-item> <div class="image-container four-three"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/carlmccolman/2020/11/seven-ways-to-think-about-christian-mysticism/"><img src="https://wp-media.patheos.com/blogs/sites/388/2020/11/FredandGinger-350x350.jpg" alt="" class="ratio-4-3" /></a> </div> <div class="tag-decorated"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/">Patheos</a> </div> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/carlmccolman/2020/11/seven-ways-to-think-about-christian-mysticism/">Seven Ways to Think About Christian Mysticism</a> </div> <div class="decorated-divider"></div> <div class="by-line"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/carlmccolman">Carl McColman</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="related-content-item col-xs-6 col-sm-3 content"> <div class="related-content clearfix default" data-tb-region-item> <div class="image-container four-three"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiousbench/2021/02/cancelling-alice-walker/"><img src="https://media.patheos.com/~/media/images/components/default-thumbs-patheos/default/default-img-river-flowers.jpg?h=500" alt="" class="ratio-4-3" /></a> </div> <div class="tag-decorated"> <a href="">Evangelical</a> </div> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiousbench/2021/02/cancelling-alice-walker/">Cancelling Alice Walker?</a> </div> <div class="decorated-divider"></div> <div class="by-line"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiousbench">Philip Jenkins</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="related-content-item col-xs-6 col-sm-3 content"> <div class="related-content clearfix default" data-tb-region-item> <div class="image-container four-three"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2021/02/does-god-have-his-own-logic/"><img src="https://wp-media.patheos.com/blogs/sites/21/2016/11/photo-1439123122285-89a9b408d3e6_opt.jpg" alt="" class="ratio-4-3" /></a> </div> <div class="tag-decorated"> <a href="">Evangelical</a> </div> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2021/02/does-god-have-his-own-logic/">Does God Have His Own Logic?</a> </div> <div class="decorated-divider"></div> <div class="by-line"> <a href="https://www.patheos.com/about-patheos/roger-e-olson">Roger E. Olson</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hide" > <a href="//www.patheos.com"> <span > <img src="//www.patheos.com/~/media/images/components/navigation/patheos/patheos-logo-header.png" alt="Patheos Logo" /> <meta content="127" /> <meta content="38" /> </span> <span >Patheos</span> <span >Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.</span> </a> </div> </div> <div id="site-footer-2022"> <div class="container"> <div class="extras-block mobile"> <div class="footer-social-icons"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Patheos/"><img src="https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/images/components/icons/Patheos-Facebook-Icon.svg" alt="Patheos on Facebook" class="icon"></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5u2f85lX38wm6NEne5pXFw"><img src="https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/images/components/icons/Patheos-YouTube-Icon.svg" alt="Patheos on YouTube" class="icon"></a> </div> <rad-admiral-login anchor-class="ad-free-login"> <img src="https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/images/components/icons/profile-icon.svg" alt="" width="29" height="29">Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In </rad-admiral-login> <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#55262025253a2721153230213431383c2734397b363a386a2620373f303621680534213d303a26750620372636273c25213c3a3b75062025253a2721" class="subscription-support">Subscription Support</a> </div> <div class="footer-nav-links"> <ul> <li><a class="dropdown-Item" href="https://www.patheos.com/about-patheos">About Us</a></li><li><a class="dropdown-Item" href=" https://www.patheos.com/interfaith-calendar/2025?utm_source=footer&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=link&utm_id=nav">2025 Calendar</a></li><li><a class="dropdown-Item" href="https://www.patheos.com/editorial/videos">Videos</a></li><li><a class="dropdown-Item" href="https://www.patheos.com/editorial/podcasts">Podcasts</a></li><li><a class="dropdown-Item" href="https://www.patheos.com/library">Library of World Religions</a></li><li><a class="dropdown-Item" href="https://www.patheos.com/about-patheos/advertising">Advertise With Us</a></li><li><a class="dropdown-Item" href="https://www.patheos.com/write-for-us">Write for Us</a></li><li><a class="dropdown-Item" href="https://www.patheos.com/privacy-policy">Privacy Policy</a></li><li><a class="dropdown-Item" href="https://www.patheos.com/terms-of-use">Terms of Service</a></li><li><a class="dropdown-Item" href="https://privacyportal.cookiepro.com/webform/8becd7f7-c923-4cd4-814a-e08c34baf60b/draft/f9dd159d-d007-43b0-a267-2b05605a52c3">Do Not Sell My Data</a></li><li><a class="dropdown-Item" href="https://www.patheos.com/about-patheos">Contact Us</a></li><li><a class="dropdown-Item" href="https://www.radiantdigital.com/">Radiant Digital</a></li><li><a class="dropdown-Item" href="https://www.patheos.com/subscribe/preference-center">Manage Newsletter Subscriptions</a></li><li><a class="dropdown-Item" href="https://www.patheos.com/push-notifications">Unsubscribe From Notifications</a></li><li><a class="dropdown-Item" href="https://www.patheos.com/sitemaps">Sitemap</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="logo-block"> <div class="footer-logo"></div> Copyright 2008-2025, Patheos. All rights reserved. </div> <div class="extras-block"> <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#25565055554a5751654240514441484c5744490b464a481a5650474f404651187544514d404a56057650475646574c55514c4a4b05765055554a5751" class="subscription-support">Subscription Support</a> <rad-admiral-login anchor-class="ad-free-login"> <img src="https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/images/components/icons/profile-icon.svg" alt="" width="29" height="29">Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In </rad-admiral-login> <div class="footer-social-icons"> <span>Follow Patheos</span> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Patheos/"><img src="https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/images/components/icons/Patheos-Facebook-Icon.svg" alt="Patheos on Facebook" class="icon"></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5u2f85lX38wm6NEne5pXFw"><img src="https://media.patheos.com/~/media/patheos-images/images/components/icons/Patheos-YouTube-Icon.svg" alt="Patheos on YouTube" class="icon"></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>   <script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script><script type='text/javascript'> window.rad = window.rad || {}; window.rad.ads = window.rad.ads || {}; window.rad.ads.preload = {"pageConfig":{"channel":"Library","hierarchy":"/29966721/PATH/library","tags":["Library","Taoism","Daoism overview","Daoism origins","Daoism history","Daoism development","Daoism beliefs","Daoism ritual","Daoism worship","Daoism devotion","Daoism symbol","Daoism symbols","Daoism symbolism","Daoism ethics","Daoism morality","Daoism community","Taoism overview","Taoism origins","Taoism history","Taoism development","Taoism beliefs","Taoism ritual","Taoism worship","Taoism devotion","Taoism symbol","Taoism symbols","Taoism symbolism","Taoism ethics","Taoism morality","Taoism community"],"audience":null,"contentid":"673fb5da","title":"Taoism","type":"patheos-library-major-path","disabled":false,"enableHeaderBidding":true,"enableAdmiral":true,"enableOptimera":true,"admiralAdFreeOfferIds":["5d3f6796da6fa95e8589a652","5e45c46f0cb01b0d8a4a3a1a","5d3f66970cb01b379f35f8df","5e45c42d5c443b73b53cc7a5","623b4296cf541f46827b865d"],"cookieConsentDomainId":"3f93598f-6412-4eae-a452-60ccd114b1eb","creativeConfigInsertLocationIds":["overlay-inject-location","writer-theme-logo","patheos-main-nav","path-main-navigation"],"creativeConfigNavId":"patheos-main-nav","creativeConfigEnableScrollingNav":false,"analyticsTrackingId":"UA-6605286-6","prebidAdapters":{"pubmatic":{"publisherId":"159758","pubmaticAdSlots":[{"id":"3214316","size":[300,250],"mobile":false},{"id":"3214317","size":[728,90],"mobile":false},{"id":"3214318","size":[300,600],"mobile":false},{"id":"3214319","size":[970,250],"mobile":false},{"id":"3214320","size":[300,100],"mobile":true},{"id":"3214321","size":[320,50],"mobile":true},{"id":"3214322","size":[300,250],"mobile":true}]},"appnexus":{"placementId":"26373425","adSizes":[[970,250],[300,600],[300,250],[320,50],[160,600],[728,90],[300,100],[468,60]]},"rubicon":{"accountId":"24710","siteId":"432530","zoneId":"2474518"}},"customTargeting":[{"key":"p_channel","value":""},{"key":"faiths","value":[]},{"key":"topics","value":[]}],"ipApiKey":"oQJeoTOiJjO6efS","liveIntentPublisherId":null}}; </script> <script> window.addEventListener('load', function() { function checkForVideoEmbeds() { // Check for YouTube iframes var youtubeEmbeds = document.querySelectorAll('iframe[src*="youtube.com"]'); // Check for JW Player iframes var jwPlayerEmbeds = document.querySelectorAll('iframe[src*="jwplayer"]'); // check for video tags var videoTags = document.getElementsByTagName("video"); // check for mp4 or m4v extensions var mp4Tags = document.querySelectorAll('video[src$=".mp4"]'); var m4vTags = document.querySelectorAll('video[src$=".m4v"]'); return youtubeEmbeds.length === 0 && jwPlayerEmbeds.length === 0 && videoTags.length === 0 && mp4Tags.length === 0 && m4vTags.length === 0; } // Only load Meta Pixel if no video embeds are found if (checkForVideoEmbeds()) { console.log("No video embeds found, loading Meta Pixel"); // Add script tag var script = document.createElement('script'); script.innerHTML = "!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)" + "{if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?" + "n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};" + "if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';" + "n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;" + "t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];" + "s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script'," + "'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js');" + "fbq('init', '1510929182549648');" + "fbq('track', 'PageView', { fbc: '', fbp: '' }, { eventID: '63875719544133' });"; document.head.appendChild(script); // Add noscript tag var noscript = document.createElement('noscript'); var img = document.createElement('img'); img.height = "1"; img.width = "1"; img.style.display = "none"; img.src = "https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1510929182549648&ev=PageView&eid=63875719544133&ud[fbp]=&ud[fbc]=&noscript=1"; noscript.appendChild(img); document.body.appendChild(noscript); } else { console.log("Video embeds found, not loading Meta Pixel"); } }); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> var xmlHttp = new XMLHttpRequest(); xmlHttp.open("POST", "/ptapi/pageload/event", true); xmlHttp.setRequestHeader("Content-Type", "application/json;charset=UTF-8"); xmlHttp.send(JSON.stringify({ "Referer": window.location.href, "EventID": "63875719544133" })); </script>  <script type="module" src="/areas/patheos/app/dist/js/chunk-vendors.463729d9.js"></script> <script type="module" src="/areas/patheos/app/dist/js/app.9919b64a.js"></script> <script>!function () { var e = document, t = e.createElement("script"); if (!("noModule" in t) && "onbeforeload" in t) { var n = !1; e.addEventListener("beforeload", function (e) { if (e.target === t) n = !0; else if (!e.target.hasAttribute("nomodule") || !n) return; e.preventDefault() }, !0), t.type = "module", t.src = ".", e.head.appendChild(t), t.remove() } }();</script> <script src="/areas/patheos/app/dist/js/" nomodule></script> <script src="/areas/patheos/app/dist/js/" nomodule></script> <link rel="preload" href="/areas/patheos/css/main.css?v=609b267289c4cd39a75b4d3ba23a9a54" as="style" onload="this.onload=null;this.rel='stylesheet'"> <noscript><link rel="stylesheet" href="/areas/patheos/css/main.css?v=609b267289c4cd39a75b4d3ba23a9a54"></noscript>  <script src="/areas/patheos/js/vendor/lazysizes.min.js" async></script>  <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Abril+Fatface|Montserrat:100,300,400,700|Open+Sans+Condensed:300,700|Vollkorn:400,400i,700,700i&display=optional" crossorigin />  </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Taoism Origins, Taoism History, Taoism Beliefs