Useful opium?: "Adapted religion" and "harmony" in contemporary China
Pragmatism has been a leading feature of Communist Party policies since Mao Zedong's death. The attitude to religion has been something of an exception with many restrictions to the freedom of religion stipulated in the constitution. In recent years, while stressing the 'harmonious society...
| Published in: | Journal of contemporary China |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Print Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Routledge
2010
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| In: |
Journal of contemporary China
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| Further subjects: | B
State
B China B Cause B Religion B Religious organization B Society B Volksrepublik China Religious policy Religion Verhältnis Religionsgemeinschaft - Staat Bestimmungsfaktoren Verhältnis Gesellschaft - Staat Harmonische Welt (VR China) / Harmonische Gesellschaft Political control B Religious policy |
| Summary: | Pragmatism has been a leading feature of Communist Party policies since Mao Zedong's death. The attitude to religion has been something of an exception with many restrictions to the freedom of religion stipulated in the constitution. In recent years, while stressing the 'harmonious society', there has been a change in the view of religion. Recognizing the 'spiritual vacuum' in China after Mao, the party has seen the need for a controlled spiritual development that could also support the economic development. However, in this process the party has tried to control not only religious activity but also religious content and to use it for its own purposes. This is in direct opposition to Marx and Lenin's views on 'religion as opium' and indicates that the party is de facto using 'a reversed opium theory'. (J Contemp China/GIGA) |
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| ISSN: | 1067-0564 |
| Contains: | In: Journal of contemporary China
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