Confucius lived, believed, and taught that there is no individual soul or self. He taught ethics and left spiritual beliefs and teachings to those who chose to follow such paths. He taught that whoever put themselves on the negative side of Heaven, had no other recourse to redeem them as is taught and followed in Christianity. There is no redemption in Confucianism only to live truthfully and honor the Earth for what the Earth gives.
The Five Great Relationships are as follows: * Kindness in the father and obedient devotion from a son * Gentility in the eldest brother and humility with respect in the youngest * Righteous behavior in a husband and obedience from the wife * Kindness towards the elders in the family and humility in younger generations * Benevolence in Rulers (or to perform goodness) and loyalty from ministers and those subjects

The Ideal person is to become educated and live a moral life. He taught that if man is good by nature, then it is quite simple to acquire what is natural to humans where kindness and generosity should be prevalent. An Ideal Man will live in squalor with minimal means, and still have authentic happiness for himself and those around him. This type of man has no jealousy for those who dwell in riches nor shun those less fortunate. The important features of an Ideal man according to Confucius are a man that remains humane to all things given by the Earth and to not acquire comfortable living means in ill-gotten ways.
Confucianism in modern Chinese culture has seen revivals in Confucianism and President Hu Jintao developed the idea of “Harmonious Socialist Society” based upon Confucius ideals (Dr. Li Yiu, 2011). Confucius was considered a “backward thinker” (Ch. 06, pp. 248) during the early stages of the Chinese Communist government and his philosophy was believed to keep Chinese people in servitude to privileged, powerful social hierarchy standings. Now in modern times, the government of China has found a newfound sense to apply Confucius’ thinking because academic and business dealings with other countries are an easier transition when Confucianism policies apply. New institutes erected in honor of Confucius's name, and even though they do not focus on the ancient philosophical studies, they promote language study along with the harmonious beliefs of Confucius. Extended families are still highly valued as in ancient times, but Western science incorporated at the same time. This incorporation allows for growing, world respect of the traditions that have crossed borders in Asia and crossed oceans to other countries, the United States included, and has allowed for female status seen as equal which was unheard of in Confucius' time. Females were not forced into lower ranks in the hierarchy, but it was an accepted practice as women were seen as child rearing entities and peacekeepers in the home (Valutanu, 2012).
In conclusion, Confucianism is one of the oldest spiritual entities, though is it not considered a religion. As in ancient times of Confucius, harmony with one's surroundings, respect for others, and accepting whatever life gives with grace and delight, are still practiced and embraced. Practicing Confucianism today allows for greater understanding across borders, and when communism failed at destroying this practice, Confucianism came back stronger with more ethnicities embracing the culture. To embrace Confucius' beliefs and teachings allows greater understanding and tolerance of others.

References
Dr. Li Yiu, Executive Director of Center for Study of Religion; Retrieved from www.http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/events/confucianism-in-china-today Valutanu, Luciana Irina (2012), Confucius and Feminism Vol. 2 (1), Retrieved from electronic readings University of Phoenix