Chapter 4 Reducing the Burden of Religious Activities
On Propaganda, Social Action, and the Role of Christian Churches in Civil Society
In: Citizens of Two Kingdoms: Civil Society and Christian Religion in Greater China
Author:
Fredrik Fällman
Fredrik Fällman
Search for other papers by Fredrik Fällman in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Fredrik Fällman in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Purchase instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):
Abstract
During the 1990s and 2000s religious groups were asked by the Chinese party-state to engage more in society. This is in line with the formation of a controlled “civil society”, and in this chapter I investigate the increased involvement by Christians in social undertakings as a reflection of the propaganda phrase “reducing the burden”, pertaining either to the burden of religious activity on believers or the socioeconomic burden on the party-state. I examine the relation of such propaganda to the formation of civil society, responses from churches and implications at different levels, and the future direction with reference to Hong Kong.