Religion in China (The Dragon Splits)

China has long been a cradle and host to a variety of the most enduring religio-philosophical traditions of the world. Confucianism and Taoism, later joined by Buddhism, constitute the "three teachings" that have shaped Chinese culture. There are no clear boundaries between these intertwined religious systems, which do not claim to be exclusive, and elements of each enrich popular or folk religion. The emperors of China claimed the Mandate of Heaven and participated in Chinese religious practices.

History
China is home to a diverse array of religions and philosophies since ancient times. Most of the Chinese prior to modern times practiced Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and other folk religions prior to the introduction of Islam and Christianity during the 16th to the 20th centuries. When the Republic of China was established in 1912, freedom of religion was enjoyed to most of the people of China even during the Civil War and the Japanese occupation.

With the People's Republic of China established in 1949 after expelling the Nationalists off the mainland, state atheism was adopted by the Communist Party. They banned all religions ranging from Buddhism to Christianity. During the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s, many of the Chinese youth at that time, dubbed as the Red Guards, destroyed religious symbols, artifacts, books, temples, and churches as it was deemed a counterrevolutionary. It was only when Deng Xiaoping, a moderate, took over after the death of Mao Zedong, where he eased the Party's regulation on religion.

The 1978 Constitution of the People's Republic of China guarantees "freedom religion' under article 36:"Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of religious belief. No state organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not to believe in, any religion; nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in, or do not believe in, any religion. The state protects normal religious activities. No one may make use of religion to engage in activities that disrupt public order, impair the health of citizens or interfere with the educational system of the state. Religious bodies and religious affairs are not subject to any foreign domination."

However, while the PRC citizens are technically free to practice religion as stated by the 1978 Constitution, their practice has to abide by the rules of the Communist Party as not to directly challenge its rule. Should one directly oppose to the Party, practitioners would be arrested, jailed, sent to labor camps, or be killed in secret locations.

Buddhism
See also: Tibetan Buddhism

Falun Gong
See also: Falun Gong