M Guy Sorman is a French intellectual and essayist of high standing who has for many years drawn attention to similarities and differences among cultures, most notably between French and the others. His books usually sell quite well; the one about China (L'année du Coq: Chinois et rebelles) is quite instructive.
M Sorman is not kidding when he says:
//In general, however, and especially outside Beijing, the Party ruthlessly polices non-sanctioned religious movements, haunted by the memory of past Chinese dynasties overthrown by mystical upsurges.//
One has but to look at the events lumped under the name "Taiping Rebellion" to realize that the Chinese authorities simply aren't going to allow religious "freedom".
Contemporary Chinese leaders know that last time the Christian religion was turned loose in China, something on the order of 30 million (!) people died. Our Western media – and still less, government - don't talk about it, preferring to lay the emphasis on "religious freedom" and "human rights".
The events were called the "Taiping Rebellion", they were led by an illuminé named Hong Xiuquan, and they lasted about twenty years.
A good resumé of this can be found at: http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/CHING/TAIPING.HTM
Wikipedia is prolix, too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiping_rebellion
No Chinese leader in his/her right mind would risk another upheaval like the Taiping Rebellion.
Amerloque extends his thanks to LASunsett for posting the link to M Sorman.
//Amerloque extends his thanks to LASunsett for posting the link to M Sorman.//
You are most welcome, sir.
I think your assertion is correct, the Chinese are looking at that period in their history and using it as a basis for forming their attitudes and value judgments of today's situation.
On one hand, some religious groups have no one to blame but themselves for this mess today, because they have tried to cloak a political movement with religion. Falun Gong comes to mind. But as for the Chinese distaste for Christianity, I think many Chinese tie it to the European imperialism of that period.
I do think that more traditional religions indigenous to the region, are allowed more leeway, but not if they incorporate a political element to their central doctrines. Confucianism was inherent to the political system until five years ago, whether they liked it or not. Why else would the Chinese tolerate their leader to be leader until death. How long was Mao and Deng incapacitated, yet still allowed to keep the title? (Jiang broke that tradition.)
On the other hand, it is important for the Chinese to understand that not all religious groups within China are political in nature. Many just would like to have the right to assemble peacefully, once a week. They would very much like to be able to sing a few songs, pray a few prayers, shake a few hands, and then go back home to live their lives.
2 comments:
Hello LASunsett !
M Guy Sorman is a French intellectual and essayist of high standing who has for many years drawn attention to similarities and differences among cultures, most notably between French and the others. His books usually sell quite well; the one about China (L'année du Coq: Chinois et rebelles) is quite instructive.
M Sorman is not kidding when he says:
//In general, however, and especially outside Beijing, the Party ruthlessly polices non-sanctioned religious movements, haunted by the memory of past Chinese dynasties overthrown by mystical upsurges.//
One has but to look at the events lumped under the name "Taiping Rebellion" to realize that the Chinese authorities simply aren't going to allow religious "freedom".
Contemporary Chinese leaders know that last time the Christian religion was turned loose in China, something on the order of 30 million (!) people died. Our Western media – and still less, government - don't talk about it, preferring to lay the emphasis on "religious freedom" and "human rights".
The events were called the "Taiping Rebellion", they were led by an illuminé named Hong Xiuquan, and they lasted about twenty years.
A good resumé of this can be found at:
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/CHING/TAIPING.HTM
Wikipedia is prolix, too:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiping_rebellion
No Chinese leader in his/her right mind would risk another upheaval like the Taiping Rebellion.
Amerloque extends his thanks to LASunsett for posting the link to M Sorman.
Best,
Amerloque
Hi Amerloque,
//Amerloque extends his thanks to LASunsett for posting the link to M Sorman.//
You are most welcome, sir.
I think your assertion is correct, the Chinese are looking at that period in their history and using it as a basis for forming their attitudes and value judgments of today's situation.
On one hand, some religious groups have no one to blame but themselves for this mess today, because they have tried to cloak a political movement with religion. Falun Gong comes to mind. But as for the Chinese distaste for Christianity, I think many Chinese tie it to the European imperialism of that period.
I do think that more traditional religions indigenous to the region, are allowed more leeway, but not if they incorporate a political element to their central doctrines. Confucianism was inherent to the political system until five years ago, whether they liked it or not. Why else would the Chinese tolerate their leader to be leader until death. How long was Mao and Deng incapacitated, yet still allowed to keep the title? (Jiang broke that tradition.)
On the other hand, it is important for the Chinese to understand that not all religious groups within China are political in nature. Many just would like to have the right to assemble peacefully, once a week. They would very much like to be able to sing a few songs, pray a few prayers, shake a few hands, and then go back home to live their lives.
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