Chapter 2 The Christian Church as a Civil Society Organization
A Preliminary Survey of Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan
In: Citizens of Two Kingdoms: Civil Society and Christian Religion in Greater China
Author:
Zhidong Hao
Zhidong Hao
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Abstract
This chapter compares the Christian Church, both Catholic and Protestant, in the four regions of Greater China to see the extent to which it is a civil society organization (CSO) as well as what roles it plays. The Church on the mainland faces many more difficulties in serving as a CSO than in other places, especially in the Xi Jinping era with frequent crackdowns. All things considered, as a CSO, the Church appears to be the strongest in Hong Kong, followed by Taiwan and Macau, with mainland China trailing behind. I support my view using indicators from the Civil Society Index, measuring the strengths, challenges, potential, and needs of civil society in a country.