From its earliest days, the Chinese state has maintained a tight control over all aspects of religious life. Throughout the history of China, the state has sought to regulate religion and religious practice to reflect its own values and culture. Over time, this has led to different policies being applied to different religions, with some traditions being embraced by the state and others being actively suppressed. In this article, we will explore the state’s role in managing religion in China, including how different religions have been subject to different approaches, how it affects Chinese citizens, and what the current situation is like.
The History of the Chinese State’s Involvement in Religion
China is one of the oldest continuously inhabited civilizations, and religion has played an important role in Chinese culture since ancient times. The earliest Chinese dynasties all had their own state-sponsored religions, and the traditional Chinese script, the oracle bone script, contained references to various gods and deities.
Chinese rulers have often regarded religion as a threat to their power. As a result, they have regulated, taxed, and even banned particular religions in order to maintain a tight grip over their own power structures. This approach has remained the same in many respect throughout the centuries.
The Different Approaches Used by the Chinese State to Manage Religion
The approach the Chinese state has taken towards religion has differed over time and across religions. During the Shang and Zhou dynasties (1600–256 BCE), the state largely embraced and promoted belief in religious figures and gods. In the Qin and Han dynasties (221 BCE–220 CE), the state adopted a form of “state Taoism” and attempted to suppress other religious traditions, although this was largely unsuccessful.
The Tang dynasty (618–907 CE) was comparatively tolerant of religion, allowing for different religious traditions to exist side by side. The only religious tradition that remained under tight state control was Daoism, with the state appointing senior officials to run Daoist monasteries and manage its rituals.
In the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1912 CE) the state adopted a more assertive attitude towards religion. Christianity and Islam, which had previously been outlawed, were gradually allowed to gain traction. However, the state still sought to limit the influence these religions had on Chinese society and placed strict regulations on where and how they could be practiced.
The Current State of Religion in China
The current approach to religion in China is largely based on the framework set out during the Qing dynasty. The constitution of the People’s Republic of China affirms the right to “believe in religion and be free to practice” and recognises five officially sanctioned religions: Buddhism, Daoism, Islam, Protestantism and Catholicism. Unrecognized religions, such as Falun Gong, remain officially banned and continue to face suppression from the government.
All religious organizations must register with the government and adhere to national religious requirements. These typically include following national regulations and engaging in activities related to national development. All religious staff must be approved by the government, and all religious activities must be performed in registered religious sites.
The Effects of Government Control Over Religion
The Chinese state’s continued control over religion has had a number of effects on the Chinese population. It has created an environment in which certain religious groups are seen as more legitimate than others and silenced minority views. It has also caused a divide between religious and non-religious people, classifying specific beliefs as acceptable and marginalizing other, more individualized beliefs.
The government’s control over religion also limits religious freedom and freedom of expression. This has caused the disappearance of many religious sites, the restriction of certain religious activities, and the widespread surveillance of religious people.
The Chinese state’s approach to managing religion has changed over time, with different religions experiencing different levels of control. Today, the government continues to regulate religion closely, recognizing five officially sanctioned religions, while limiting the activities and freedom of other religious groups. The effects of this regulation on Chinese citizens are wide-ranging and include the creation of divisions between religious and non-religious people, the restriction of religious freedom, and the limitation of certain religious activities.
