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.
Main Religions[]
Buddhism[]
See also: Tibetan Buddhism
Confucianism[]
Christianity[]
Christianity was introduced to China during the 17th-19th centuries when the country opened trade with the Europeans. Particularly, at this period, Christianity was seen in Hong Kong, Macau, and the Shanghai International Settlement. When China fell to the communists in 1949, majority of the foreign parishioners and priests fled to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Philippines. During the Cultural Revolution, many churches, crosses, sculptures of saints, and bibles were destroyed. It was only after the reforms in the early 1980s that Christianity was allowed to be practiced again, as long as they did not challenge the rule of the Chinese Communist Party. Yet, in modern times, churches are still demolished across China because some do not practice state-approved material.
The Vatican City used to have an embassy in the mainland but pulled out in 1952 when Mao Zedong outlawed religion. Although it was somehow eased during the 1980s, the Vatican and the PRC do not have official diplomatic ties as of 2017.
Falun Gong[]
See also: Falun Gong
Islam[]
Islam was introduced to China during the Golden Age of Islam from traders passing via the Vakhan Corridor in Afghanistan bordering Xinjiang. Islam is practiced mostly in Xinjiang Province by the ethnic Ugyhurs, with heavy Central Asian or Middle Eastern influence. Muslims in China are reported to be persecuted, just like Christians and Tibetan Buddhists. It is reported that people who practice Islam in China have to follow state-approved imams and worship in mosques under heavy security; so as not to challenge the rule of the Chinese Communist Party.
With the rise of ISIS in the Middle East and bordering Afghanistan, China has impossed a strick crackdown among mosques in Xinjiang. Party due to the Chinese Insurgency, the party is concerned with ISIS militants infiltrating western China.
Taoism[]
Other religions[]
See also[]
- Religion in China from Wikipedia
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