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Q: Is Religion a big Problem in China?
With recent events in China and around the world and the usual Suspects is religion responsible for the most trouble or is it just a inconvenience to the general population . Here at home we have a problem every now and then that makes the headlines but if you talk about it you are a racist . then there is the ones that come knocking on your door in the middle of a football game trying to introduce be to Jesus (the guy doesn't look anything like his picture) Then there is the ones that are on a first name basis with God and provided a Alibie . I feel like scattering a bunch of religious artifacts in the front yard with a Chalk outline drawn next to them . Now for the Check list of who I have offended 1 Muslim 2 Mormon 3 Witnesses 4 Mics If I have left out anybody I am sorry
Is Religion a big problem in China? No.
The Christian religion (in various historical incarnations) has probably contributed a lot to China's backward and repressive beliefs about sex, but the relationship is complex and ambiguous, and China's current hang-ups about sex are not consciously religious ones.
Compared to countries where Christian lobby groups exert control over civil rights, political policy and the school curriculum, or where women are stoned to death due to religious law, Chinese people aren't put out much by religion.
By and large, problems in China are caused by the Communist Party.
The recent clashes between the CPC and "terrorists" of the Uyghur ethnic minority are symptomatic of both sides' inability to deal with ideological conflict. Both Islam and the CPC employ violence and suppression when challenged.
While neither side is likeable, one tends to sympathise with the oppressed (in this case the Islamic minority). If their violent expressions of discontentment can jar other Chinese people out of political apathy, all the better.
sam239:
1. Christianity has less and less power as a political force each successive year in the west. Secularism has won. Political Islam, however, is a rising threat, with all the fundie Islamo-fascist nutcases funded by the ME oil money. 2. I'm not so convinced Xinjiang people are sufficiently oppressed to justify a violent response. They get special benefits as Chinese minorities, but have not, by and large, taken advantage of perks such as special scholarships. I recall reading a Beijing businessman stating that he went to visit an old colleague (Uighur woman) who went back to Xinjiang, only to be secluded from society as prescribed by Islamic law. That's the sort of backwards thinking that IMO is far more responsible for these people's problems than so called oppression by China.
One of the things I most enjoy about China is the lack of influence religion has on peoples minds.
The right to choose and practice however is a different matter...
happywanderer:
Depends how you define religion. So many people are hopelessly locked into doing what society tells them that this style of communism could easily be defined as religion.
I am offended because you offended someone. That should count double!
No, China's ... issues do not stem from the ruling party's political beliefs.
The Uyghurs fight back does not stem from their religion, perhaps they method of fighting back is justified in religion. If you corner a tiger it will bite. I agree with Samsera that the lack of ability to deal with ideological conflict is a root cause here, but also the lack of acceptance that the Uyghurs people are of a different culture. The modern thing to do would be to allow those problematic regions more autonomy. That is, if China wants a role in the regions future, the current path will lead to a worsening situation.
There is a shorter answer to Phil's question. "Religion is a problem everywhere" And the Chinese who have so little influence on their own lives are desperate for something they think they control. Praying for a new iPhone gives them power. Does it work? Doesn't matter. If you are starving you will bite. I've seen priests ask for contributions to their church only to run away with the loot.
Religion is the biggest problem on the planet.
sam239:
Religion has done some good things. In Judeo-Christian thinking we have a sense of guilt, and a sense that we need to do the right thing, even if it is not directly rewarded, since God is watching. Even atheists have this since it's become ingrained in the culture. Actually I think China could use a dose of this type of morality for its own good.
Also I'd say dogmatic thinking is the root of the problem. In the US we have "political correctness" which started out a force for good but is now like a cancer inflicting the universities and institutions, but is nearly impossible to criticize. It's a dogmatic belief system that's not religious but is problematic.
I want to see ritual sacrifices brought back, man those were the good old days. I bet it was always the neighborhood AH that went first.
Religion is the biggest problem in the world, I agree. I would like to say that chinese are very lost and don,t have a direction. Muslims kill Western people but they know why they do it, Chinese just have the direction of the money. It,s his religion!!!!
