Where is the boundary between traditional folk customs and feudal dross?

The boundary between traditional nation and feudal dross lies in the equality between people. If excessive external "ceremony" is used to restrain the "respect and inferiority" between people, it will show some feudalism.

In the past society, people were divided into three or six classes, and the son of heaven was in the supreme position. He had the right to kill and catch anyone. This is the so-called "if you want me to die, I have to die." It can be said that this is the biggest drawback of feudal society and the most fundamental reason for the demise of feudal dynasties.

Feudal dross is this kind of raising the rights of some people without an upper limit, while binding the rights of others without a lower limit. And use all kinds of external cumbersome etiquette to strengthen this constraint, such as kneeling three times and knocking nine times, throwing yourself to the ground and so on.

In modern times, it is inconceivable to bow down and salute when you meet a dignitary. Equality and freedom are the symbols of modern civilization. Too much emphasis on "respect and inferiority" between people and superstitious attitude towards certain customs and activities are all feudal dross.

Although civilized society emphasizes equality for all, this equality is relative, not absolute. Of course, we can ignore the feudal absolute "difference in respect and inferiority, and order through the ages." But we can't completely abandon it and completely imitate the so-called "equality and freedom" in the West.

For example, a child must have the minimum respect for his parents, because in the cultural environment of China, parents can play the greatest role in their children's education. Otherwise, once parents completely lose their "authority" in their children's minds, "family education" will be basically useless.