Religious belief connected to organized religion in China has experienced dramatic growth in the past two decades. With increased religious alternatives to the avowed atheism of the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese government has sought to maintain control over that growth as a way to mitigate the inevitable competing loyalty that arises when believers seek to balance belief with political reality. This panel will focus on how different religions strike that balance while trying to maintain a semblance of religious independence.
The event is part of an ongoing series of programming hosted by the International Center as part of its year long Global Spotlight: China effort. Religious belief connected to organized religion in China has experienced dramatic growth in the past two decades. With increased religious alternatives to the avowed atheism of the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese government has sought to maintain control over that growth as a way to mitigate the inevitable competing loyalty that arises when believers seek to balance belief with political reality. This panel will focus on how different religions strike that balance while trying to maintain a semblance of religious independence.
The panelists include Lawrence Reardon from the Department of Political Science at the University of New Hampshire who will present “Adapting Relations with the Vatican: China’s Religious Policies Toward the Chinese Catholic Church.” Harvard doctorate student Melissa Inouye will present “Miraculous Christianity in the Contemporary People’s Republic of China,” and fellow Harvard doctorate student Michael Ing will present “Religion and the Reemergence of Confucianism in Modern China.”
“The International Center and Religious Studies are delighted to bring this type of event to the Utah Valley community. It is a valuable opportunity for our students and community members to learn more about the current religious environment in China,” said Danny Damron, director of UVU’s International Center.
