China has over 100 million believers, but it’s hard to estimate the percentage of each religion due to government discouragement. Folk religions, Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism are recognized religions in China, but some face hostility from the government. Ancestor worship is popular but not officially considered a religion. Shamans are respected as part of China’s history.
There are over 100 million believers in China, although it is difficult to estimate the percentage belonging to each religion. One of the main difficulties in understanding religion in China is that the government discourages religious practices. Another is the fact that many Chinese residents adhere to ancestor worship, which cannot officially be considered a religion, as there is no concept of God in this type of belief system.
Folk religions are popular in China, especially in small villages with little foreign influence. Shamanism is an example of this. Shamans, or holy men, are popular in China. They are considered intermediaries between the forces of nature and men, and many people seek their help for healing and spiritual counseling. Shamans were heavily persecuted in China during Mao Zedong’s rule, but are now a respected part of China’s ancient history.
Despite the government’s official stance as an atheist, China has five recognized religions. One of them is Taoism, which started as a philosophical school and gradually developed into a religion. According to Taoism, there is a natural energy that flows through every living creature. This energy, or Tao, can be cultivated through meditation, compassion, and an understanding of Yin-Yang, the dual nature of everything we know.
Another of the recognized religions in China is Buddhism, which was introduced to China in the second century. Buddhism has adapted to the Chinese way of life rather than vice versa, becoming the predominant belief system in China. An estimated 25% of Chinese people now practice Buddhism. Like Taoism, Buddhism is a non-theistic religion that focuses on the pursuit of personal enlightenment.
Islam has been recognized in China since the Tang Dynasty, around AD 700. About two percent of the population in China officially practice Islam, and many more are thought to practice in the safety of their homes. One of the reasons China respects Islam is because the country maintains diplomatic and economic relations with many Muslim states.
China also recognizes two forms of Christianity: Catholicism and Protestantism. There has been some hostility from the government towards Christian sects and practitioners, so many are unwilling to disclose their beliefs.
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