China View: Religion Among Chinese Millennials
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Prejudices on the absence of religion in China are often widespread outside the Mainland. This is due to the legacy of the communist system of governance which, under Mao, like the Soviet Union under Lenin and Stalin, essentially prohibited the people from practicing any sort of religion. Therefore, the 1950s marked the beginning of a thirty-year period based on the Marxist idea that "The first requisite for the happiness of the people is the abolition of religion."
Over time, however, the political system in China did change and one could never compare Mao Zedong’s China with the hybrid economy that a leader like Xi Jinping has built over the years. What does this transition imply for religion? Since the 80s, Chinese leaders have made an effort to reintroduce forms of religion in Chinese society and, whether these involve ancient or modern practices, all Chinese have the constitutional right to religious freedom (Art. 36). This is an important notion to remember later in the article when issues concerning particular religious groups will be thoroughly discussed.
Religious Groups in China (%)
As shown to the right, current data concerning religious demographics in China still presents a vast majority of people unaffiliated with religion (52.2% of the population). The pie chart, however, also shows that the densest religious groups are the Buddhists (18.2%) and those belonging to Folk Religions (21.9%). Christianity (5.1%) is also a common choice, which has been present in China since the Imperial Era. However, the population of Chinese Christians has only started to increase recently due to the embarrassment the Chinese had suffered during the colonial era (“Century of Humiliation”), during which missionaries had already attempted to spread the Biblical credo. Another populous group is that of Muslims (1.8%), often situated in Western parts of China, closer to the province of Xinjiang. A map below shows the distribution of these religions across the national territory.
Geographical Distribution of Religion in China, 2015 data. (Credit: BUSINESS INSIDER)
“Visualizing Religion in China.” (CREDIT: CHINASOURCE.ORG)
To this distribution, of course, there are logical geopolitical reasons. In the case of Xinjiang and Tibet, Islam and Buddhism have respectively developed due to the proximity to countries that practice the same religion. But, considering the enormous phenomenon of intra-Mainland migration having intensified from the 80s onwards, one can easily find followers of these doctrines in Eastern cities as well. In Shanghai, for instance, both Chinese and foreigners are free to attend their own religious practices in churches, mosques, or buildings dedicated to doing so.
These religions often find some habits in common, which relate to the culture of worshipping ancestors. Once, this was only part of the Folk Religions like Daoism, but now it has become part of the Chinese culture in itself, to the extent that national holidays have been instituted to celebrate ancestors. Below, a video from Show China describes religion in China in more detail.
Do young Chinese people believe in religion? According to a study by Business Insider on millennials in the U.S., it seems that support for organized religion among Americans is overall declining. Considering previous data on religious followers in China, there is a high probability millennials consider themselves unaffiliated to forms of religion. Data sources on religion in China are overall poor, and it is difficult to find age-specific values. However, a few articles and books may illuminate what religion means for millennials.
A 2015 article by World Religion News reported that some young Chinese are engaging with Buddhism in their lives, not as a religious belief but rather as a spiritual and cultural journey through life. According to this source, this is because the CCP policies towards Buddhism have become more favorable over the years and also because Buddhism is considered one of the native religions of China, therefore it belongs to tradition. With the frenetic lifestyle of a growing China, one could easily understand why the youth aspires to find spiritual and mental peace to survive the stress.
A significantly growing religious group in China is that of Christians which, according to Mission Network News, involve always more millennials and post-millennials. This group is even less controlled by the Chinese government but, different sources still argue that there is some kind of pressured applied by authorities, because they may not understand religious practices in itself. According to the Chinese Education Department, however, young Chinese Christians (19-39 years of age) made up 62% of the Chinese Church already in 2018.
Islam is the religion that probably counteracts the vision of the Chinese Communism Party the most. Between this and the fear terroristic groups from Central Asia could influence Western Chinese regions, the central government is especially dedicated to detecting any anomaly. Experts and newspapers have often made allegations on China for ignoring human rights and hurting civilians that have nothing to do with terrorism. But, the reality of it is that Xinjiang is practically inaccessible to Chinese and foreigners, therefore no one can either confirm or deny these views. Stories of survivors having run away to Kazakhstan or other countries can give an idea of what life is for Uyghurs in Xinjiang, which has risen public dissatisfaction towards the powerlessness of the international community. Because China is a rising superpower and is shifting the world order from unilateral to bilateral, however, no country or institution has had the courage to directly accuse the government.
According to the book “Young China” by Zak Dychtwald, the most common religion among Chinese youth, especially in the Han community, is “money”. In an interesting podcast below, the author explains that, while it is true religious groups are growing in China, many religious values completely contradict the consumerist society that is part of the semi-capitalist economic system of Eastern cities.
Overall, religious Chinese are younger than ever. But, religion remains something considered appropriate in one’s home in China and does not completely align with the values cherished by the Communist Party. Other books like “The Good Women of China” by Xinran, recount that Chinese women in particular are able to believe in multiple different religions for the sake of praying and obtaining health and prosperity for their families. This is not unusual and considering the role of Heaven already present in Imperial China, is a practice likely used to show belief towards any superior entity.
