Religious Exclusivism and Political Contention in China

• In Event: 165 - Section on Sociology of Religion Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Section on Sociology of Religion Roundtables (one-hour). Table 01. Religions in China

Abstract

This paper considers the relationship between religious identity and political contention in China. The most prominent examples of religious contention in China, excluding ethno-religious autonomy movements, have been disproportionately concentrated in a minority of religious traditions that promote exclusivist social identities. In such religions, which include Protestant Christianity and Islam but also salvationist movements like Falun Gong, religious affiliation provides a stable, primary social identity and excludes (at least normatively) belief and practice in other religions. By contrast, the largest religious traditions of China, including Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, lineage communities and local temple associations, have been pluralistic in reference to identity and context-dependent in reference to belief and practice. The paper explores different theoretical possibilities for understanding why exclusivist religious communities are disproportionately associated with political contention. Theoretical questions will be considered against evidence from a case study of the Falun Gong.

Author

• Andrew Junker, University of Chicago