The theory of "replacing religion with aesthetic education" is an important part of Cai Yuanpei's aesthetic education thought and a topic of great concern in his academic research.
What kind of cultural ideal attracts people to believe in the proposal of "replacing religion with aesthetic education": true "humanity" or illusory "Shinto"? Faith must be based on a correct understanding of science and philosophy, not on "myth". The "myth" of religion has long lost its appeal. And "what is considered valuable in religion is only the element of aesthetic education." Solemn and great buildings, beautiful sculptures and paintings, mysterious music, heroes or profound literature, no matter what religion they belong to, pagans or people who oppose all religions can never erase their beautiful value. This is an immortal point in religion, only beauty. But is it feasible to keep religion as an aesthetic education? I said no. ""Because the aesthetic education element in religion is immortal, and treating it as a part of religion will often arouse the association of the aesthete, so that he is influenced by his intellectual education and moral education, rather than pure aesthetic feeling, so he can't fill aesthetic education with religion, but can only use aesthetic education instead of religion. "Cai Yuanpei believes that any religion's explanation of the universe and various phenomena in life is based on' Shinto as the only reason', forcing people to blindly follow and be superstitious. He deeply understands the true spirit of China's traditional culture and thinks that China's education is "humanitarianism" rather than "Shinto". This tradition should not be abandoned.
The theory of "replacing religion with aesthetic education" can be established in theoretical sense. However, at this stage or for a long time to come, aesthetic education can not replace the role of religion.