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Man in pre history generally developed animistic beliefs. And there were many similarities in the religions of the great rivel valley civilizations as well as the subsequent ancient civilizations had many similarities. A factor here was that many were in contact such as Mesopotamia and Egypt and to a lesser extent the Indus Valley civikization. China was an exceotion. China was isolated from the other early river valey civilizations even though it developed after these civilizatins were well established. There are as a result more diffrences between China than the other rivervvalley civilizations. One of the most significant differences is religion, so much so that many observers contend that the Chinese throughout their long history have not been as concerned with religion as the other great river valley civikizations and subsequent civilizations. That is probably not entirely correct. What does seem to be a fair statement is that the Chinese have not shown the same interest in metaphysical speculation and supernatural beings. And the Chinese seem to be the first important civilization to develop a healthy intellectual scepticism toward gods. Several religions have taken root in China and folk religion is also important. And attempts to influence the forces which control both the human and natural worlds have been an important element in Chinese religious practives. We can see this in the intricate web of religious, superstitious and magical beliefs and practices some of which date back to prinitive pre-historic animism. China imported Bufhism from India long the Silk Road. It mixedcwith Chinese cultural constructs like Confuscim and Taoism without the antagnoism and violence associated with religious traditions in the West. The Communists after seizing power (1949) adopted an official policy of athesism and launched a effort to desroy ancient religious traditions and organized religion. Foreign missionaries were expelled. The Chinese effort while widespread and executed with the full force of the state unrestrained by Western concepts of civil liberties were less successful than once assumed. The Communists did reduce the importance of the clan and lineage, it dis not break the importance of the family which remained the central focus of production. And the rural reforms which followed the Cultural Revolution have pnly reinforced this. The ruling Communist Party devoted considerable energy to destroying the the family cult associated with Confucianism and popular religion they continue to flourishes, especially in the countryside. They continue to be called 'superstitious practices'. The Party's sensativity toward religion can be seen in the massive cmpaign launched againt Falung-Gang. Curiously the Party seems passive toward the growth of Christianity in recent years. Once deried as a tool of foreign deveils, Christianity has become the most dynamic religion in the China that implement free market caputalist reformd that in only two short decades has propelled China into the forefront of tecworld economy. Itvi probably no accident that it is Protesrant Chridtisnity that has attracted a major following in China.
Man in pre history generally developed animistic beliefs. And there were many similarities in the religions of the great rivel valley civilizations as well as the subsequent ancient civilizations had many similarities. A factor here was that many were in contact such as Mesopotamia and Egypt and to a lesser extent the Indus Valley civikization. China was an exceotion. China was isolated from the other early river valey civilizations even though it developed after these civilizatins were well established. There are as a result more diffrences between China than the other rivervvalley civilizations.
One of the most significant differences between China and the West andceven other areas of Asia such as India is religion, so much so that many observers contend that the Chinese throughout their long history have not been as concerned with religion as the other great river valley civikizations and subsequent civilizations. That is probably not entirely correct. What does seem to be a fair statement is that the Chinese have not shown the same interest in metaphysical speculation, supernatural beings, and mysticism. . And the Chinese seem to be the first important civilization to develop a healthy intellectual scepticism toward gods. Several religions have taken root in China and folk religion is also important. And attempts to influence the forces which control both the human and natural worlds have been an important element in Chinese religious practives. We can see this in the intricate web of religious, superstitious and magical beliefs and practices some of which date back to prinitive pre-historic animism.
Perhaps surprisingly, Cinfucianism was a relatively recent arrival in Chinese society. It did bot developnin a vacuume. Confucius (Kong Zi) was an actul man (551 to 479 BC). This was before the unification of China. He lived in the state of Lu (modem Shandong province). His father was an official as were many others in his family. As he gew older he became comcerned with the decline of scoiety. He wanted to see thev restoration of the Way (Dao) described by the ancient sages. Confuscianism was kind of cannoinization of ancient Chinese customs and ancestor veneration. China imported Buddhism from India long the Silk Road. It mixed with Chinese cultural constructs like Confuscim and Taoism without the antagnoism and violence associated with religious traditions in the West. Confusciism seems to have been the most influential of the Chinese religious traditions. It involved a notable lack of mysticism thus making utvseem more like a philosophy than a religion. After the Portuguese opened a sea route to China (late-15th century) , Christian missionaries introduced their religion to the country. The Taiping Rebellion was related to the spread of christianity. It disrupted China in the mid-19th century (1850-64). Millions of lives were lost. It was led by heterodox Christian convert--Hong Xiuquan. He claimed to have seem visions identifying him as the younger brother of Jesus Christ. This affected how many Chinese viewed Christianity. Some converts were made, but as the power of the Europeans grew, many Chinese began to see Christiabity as a tool of the Europeans to subjagate China. Ironically it was those same Christian missionaries that played a major role in bringung about Anmerican aid to Chinma after the Japabnese invaded. The Communists expelled the missionaries (1949) bd attempted to supress Christianity and other religions. The pressure on Christians reached a peak during the Cultural Revolution. Suprisinly, Christianity, primarily Protetantism, is today the most dynmic religion in China.
The Communists after seizing power (1949) adopted an official policy of athesism and launched a effort to desroy ancient religious traditions and organized religion. Foreign missionaries were expelled. The Chinese effort while widespread and executed with the full force of the state unrestrained by Western concepts of civil liberties were less successful than once assumed. The Communists did reduce the importance of the clan and lineage, it dis not break the importance of the family which remained the central focus of production. And the rural reforms which followed the Cultural Revolution have pnly reinforced this. The ruling Communist Party devoted considerable energy to destroying the the family cult associated with Confucianism and popular religion they continue to flourishes, especially in the countryside. They continue to be called 'superstitious practices'. The Party's sensativity toward religion can be seen in the massive cmpaign launched againt Falung-Gang. Curiously the Party seems passive toward the growth of Christianity in recent years. Once deried as a tool of foreign deveils, Christianity has become the most dynamic religion in the China that implement free market caputalist reformd that in only two short decades has propelled China into the forefront of tecworld economy. Itvi probably no accident that it is Protesrant Christisnity that has attracted a major following in China.
A British student has asked about clothing worn in China for religious observations. "I need to ask you a few questions about Chinese clothing in the moden day for a report I am writing. I want to know what Chinese people wear to pray or in festivals." HBC at this time has little information on religious attire. China's Communist Government today no longer bans religion. (Earlier especially during the Cultural Revolution, religion was actively supressed.) Today the Government tolerates religion, but limits the practice of it. Only religions which apply for an receive official recognition can operate in China. Government officials tend to be suspicious about religious activity, considering it a threat to the regime. In recent years the banned Falung Gong has been actively supressed by the Government which consider it a cult adversely afecting the morals and ell bing of the people. The Government clearly believes that it must control reliou practice in the county. Those who attempt to practice an unrecognized religion can receive a severe prison penalty. The Communist Party still controls access to education and those active in religious activity are often denied access to education, especially university eduction. As a result, there is not a great deal of public praying. As to traditional religious festivals, we are unsure at this time to what extent they are tolerated or how people dress for them.
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