Comments on: China’s Religious Character May Be Deeper Than Thought

By: Pittman

Pittman — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 04:43:32 +0000

Before you boast about how many religious persons exist in America, I urge you to ask them some questions about their faith: more than likely, they will know nothing of their so called faith, or even God. It is purely social conditioning and has zero relation to spirituality.

By: sg

sg — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 06:41:08 +0000

Regarding Rev.Smallwood’s post, I find it full of ignorance.

First, if you consider Confucianism/Taoism/natural deities a religion then the majority of Chinese would be considered religious but as the another poster mentioned most Chinese consider it a philosophy and moral thought.

Second, young people talk about religion all the time. You perpetuate the Mao myth, where during Mao’s reign religion was completely banned. Furthermore, the younger generation do not fear persecution by the government merely talking about religion. The reason why certain religions are persecuted is because of the political aspects linked to religious activities which the CCP fear above all else. The CCP doesn’t tolerate any other political thought and religion and politics mix readily hence the massive crackdowns, but religion itself is not persecuted as one can witness by the numerous Buddhist/Confucist/Taoist temples everywhere in China.

By: aiqinocean

aiqinocean — Tue, 20 May 2008 08:30:43 +0000

i just wanna tell Conscientious Observer,who issued comments before: you don’t kown any about China and Chinese, you have none idea about the reality.

“fa lun gong”,as you said, do you know what is the reality about it. it said that anyone who is ill don’t need to have any medicine but to speak to himself the spirit of falun gong.do you know how many patient was dead or hurted by this way.

don’t speak the idiot words unless you really kown the reality!

By: Rev.Smallwood

Rev.Smallwood — Thu, 15 May 2008 23:16:41 +0000

I have known many Chinese people in my life, particularly the younger generation. Take the time to talk to a Chinese young person about religion and you will find them very interested. What has kept them away from open discussion is the fear that in their country, they will be persecuted if they talk about it openly.

Better yet, speak to them about “relationships”. Talk to them about a God who can help them with their problems. You will discover much interest and communication when they hear that the Bible speaks about a God who can actually help them in their daily living.

Really, that’s what all people need to hear. God is interested in people who value a relationship with Him, not empty theological mumbling about religion!

By: matt

matt — Wed, 14 May 2008 05:19:45 +0000

china cannot escape from the reality of religion.
sooner or later…

By: Conscientious Observer

Conscientious Observer — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:34:50 +0000

Very very slowly the Government of the PRC is loosening it’s stranglehold on it’s people. The Chinese culture has always been ‘deeper’ than the PRC’s so-called communist govt could possibly comprehend or perhaps would ever want to admit. It will be a long hard road for the many Chinese people who have had their beliefs (whether based on superstition/religion/spiritualism) oppressed for so long. The PRC’s attitude towards another group ‘Falung Gong’ (who have never appeared violent but just want to practice their ‘faith’), is so superstitious, perverse and oppressive it is a wonder that any religion is allowed to be practised in the country. The quote by Hu is in stark contrast as to what is really happening to minority groups that the PRC Govt perceive as a threat to power, within the country. Does Hu mean to include the real Dalai Lama as part of these ‘religious figures’ or only the prop-up puppet currently within the PRC? When it comes to issues not making money in the PRC the country’s govt, only discuss the issues but not deal with them. Or if they do it’s like putting a bandaid on an amputation. May sincerity and integrity finally wash away the scum build up of political corruption, ignorance and oppression.

By: Adam Minter

Adam Minter — Mon, 12 May 2008 02:03:12 +0000

I’d like to second the comment by T. I read the Pew study last week … the data is okay, but the analysis is terrible. The author clearly has a hard time distinguishing between religion and superstition. Of course, the irony is that the CCP spent decades trying to equate religion with superstition as a means of weakening support for it among educated Chinese. And anybody with even a minimal understanding of Chinese language and/or culture would know something about the national obsession with homonyms for numbers. Still, the data is good, and it’s a nice supplement to the East China Normal study.

By: F.A. Hutchison, China

F.A. Hutchison, China — Sat, 10 May 2008 02:19:08 +0000

There’s much religion in China. I remember my young Chinese colleague telling me there wasn’t. But, he doesn’t understand.
Communism is a form of religion, so is capitalism. Christianity, is now very popular in China, but most underground. Certainly both Isalm and Buddhism are strong. Even the Communist Party can’t stamp out religion, too much a part of human nature. Marx said, ‘Religion is the opiate of the masses!’

By: T

Sat, 10 May 2008 02:05:31 +0000

The number 8 is the symbol for wealth and 4 is the symbol for death. Neither of these have any connection to faith or religion. It would be more accurate to say that many Chinese are superstitious.

By: orsino

orsino — Fri, 09 May 2008 16:37:02 +0000

It totally depends on whether you think Confucianism is a religion or not. For Chinese, they don’t think confucianism is a religion rather than a system of philosophy and moral thoughts. I would say 60% percent of Chinese still have a strong and deep confucianism root, and theoretially, all follower of Confucianism should not actively worship any god except your own ancestors.