The path that China's Religion will take. By Michael and Marcus
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Religion first spread into China because of the Silk Road, being a great place for people to not only spread their respective products, but it was also a hotspot for religion. Another large reason for the spread of religions was the travels of people in the Middle Eastern Kingdoms and the Roman Empire.
China has also had a long history of controversy in their religions. The Pope’s possible deal with China will “Betray Christ” said the Hong Kong Cardinal, as it would be “a surrender” to let Beijing have a hand in their select of bishops. It has also been the case that many churches in China were demolished by the government. This shows that China has controversial relations with religions such as Christianity. China has also been known to oppress unauthorised Christian after gaining power in 1949. There have also been countless cases of new religious and spiritual groups sprouting up in China, Most of which only teaching simple meditation and gymnastics techniques. By suppressing the Falun Dafa, it has “started” it’s anti-cult movement. China is frightened of any kind of organisation that can order and organise its groups and gain power, which seems to be China’s biggest fear. and this could be a very large reason for why other religions could falter in the future, letting folk religion and Buddhism reign over China, as it already is doing.
Chinese folk religion is a very dominant variety of religion in China, as there are many different things to believe in, when it comes to Chinese folk religion. Evil spirits, good spirits, heaven, and hell. All of it can be believed with this variety of religion, which is why it is dominant in China. Tian, Referring to Deity, Heaven or sky, believes in upper and lower gods and deities reigning over respective lands. Guei, Referring to Ghost or Demon believes that there are demons that cause misfortune and do bad deeds to others. Shen, Referring to Spirit or Divinity believes that there are also spirits that help and have general good deeds. They are also generally associated with Yang or Bright.
Chinese folk religion is going to be the main religion in china as it is currently the biggest religion followed at the moment, We feel that Christianity would stop spreading throughout China, as China did not allow the Pope to go to Beijing and the shaky relations between Beijing and the Vatican may lead into some conflict in the future. Buddhism though is not going to change drastically in the future unless there is a crisis that can prove the Buddhist teaching about optimism and accepting what life is, and working with it. Buddhism is the next strongest religion, making sense as it’s growth was centred for a brief period of time. In Xin Jiang there is a community of muslims, although it is very controlled by the Chinese government, hence we don't think islam will be a dominating religion.
In conclusion, with the recent current religious trends in China, we believe that Buddhism will start to dominate China’s religious community, Immediately being followed by Chinese folk religion. While religions like Christianity won’t be of much importance compared to other lesser known religions. The Chinese Religion will be dominated by Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Taoism and Confucianism, while Western-influenced religions such Christianity will not dominate any time soon. But Islam and Muslim religions will not be soon very much in China as they seem to be much more dominant in the West, but nowhere near to the East making it a very rare region in China. We think that China is preventing any western influences to come upon it’s people’s religion.
Sources
"Religion in China." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Mar. 2017. Web. 26 Mar. 2017.
"The Ongoing War Against Religion in China." China Change. N.p., 04 Aug. 2015. Web. 26 Mar. 2017.
Haas, Benjamin, and Tom Phillips. "Pope's Possible Deal with China Would 'betray Christ', Says Hong Kong Cardinal." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 27 Nov. 2016. Web. 26 Mar. 2017.
"RELIGIOUS OPPRESSION AND." Religious Oppression and Intolerance in China. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2017.
China has also had a long history of controversy in their religions. The Pope’s possible deal with China will “Betray Christ” said the Hong Kong Cardinal, as it would be “a surrender” to let Beijing have a hand in their select of bishops. It has also been the case that many churches in China were demolished by the government. This shows that China has controversial relations with religions such as Christianity. China has also been known to oppress unauthorised Christian after gaining power in 1949. There have also been countless cases of new religious and spiritual groups sprouting up in China, Most of which only teaching simple meditation and gymnastics techniques. By suppressing the Falun Dafa, it has “started” it’s anti-cult movement. China is frightened of any kind of organisation that can order and organise its groups and gain power, which seems to be China’s biggest fear. and this could be a very large reason for why other religions could falter in the future, letting folk religion and Buddhism reign over China, as it already is doing.
Chinese folk religion is a very dominant variety of religion in China, as there are many different things to believe in, when it comes to Chinese folk religion. Evil spirits, good spirits, heaven, and hell. All of it can be believed with this variety of religion, which is why it is dominant in China. Tian, Referring to Deity, Heaven or sky, believes in upper and lower gods and deities reigning over respective lands. Guei, Referring to Ghost or Demon believes that there are demons that cause misfortune and do bad deeds to others. Shen, Referring to Spirit or Divinity believes that there are also spirits that help and have general good deeds. They are also generally associated with Yang or Bright.
Chinese folk religion is going to be the main religion in china as it is currently the biggest religion followed at the moment, We feel that Christianity would stop spreading throughout China, as China did not allow the Pope to go to Beijing and the shaky relations between Beijing and the Vatican may lead into some conflict in the future. Buddhism though is not going to change drastically in the future unless there is a crisis that can prove the Buddhist teaching about optimism and accepting what life is, and working with it. Buddhism is the next strongest religion, making sense as it’s growth was centred for a brief period of time. In Xin Jiang there is a community of muslims, although it is very controlled by the Chinese government, hence we don't think islam will be a dominating religion.
In conclusion, with the recent current religious trends in China, we believe that Buddhism will start to dominate China’s religious community, Immediately being followed by Chinese folk religion. While religions like Christianity won’t be of much importance compared to other lesser known religions. The Chinese Religion will be dominated by Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Taoism and Confucianism, while Western-influenced religions such Christianity will not dominate any time soon. But Islam and Muslim religions will not be soon very much in China as they seem to be much more dominant in the West, but nowhere near to the East making it a very rare region in China. We think that China is preventing any western influences to come upon it’s people’s religion.
Sources
"Religion in China." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Mar. 2017. Web. 26 Mar. 2017.
"The Ongoing War Against Religion in China." China Change. N.p., 04 Aug. 2015. Web. 26 Mar. 2017.
Haas, Benjamin, and Tom Phillips. "Pope's Possible Deal with China Would 'betray Christ', Says Hong Kong Cardinal." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 27 Nov. 2016. Web. 26 Mar. 2017.
"RELIGIOUS OPPRESSION AND." Religious Oppression and Intolerance in China. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2017.