I have tried to show how the later form of this Chinese system has come naturally from its principles, and how a philosophy of the absolute may have degenerated into a system of necromancy.
Sec.6.Religious Character of the "Kings." We have seen that, in the philosophy of the Confucians, the ultimate principle is not necessarily identical with a living, intelligent, and personal God.

Nor did Confucius, when he speaks of Teen, or Heaven, express any faith in such a being.

He neither asserted nor denied a Supreme God.

His worship and prayer did not necessarily imply such a faith.

It was the prayer of reverence addressed to some sacred, mysterious, unknown power, above and behind all visible things.