Professors at East China Normal University estimated that about 300 million people - equivalent to more than 30% of the adult population - followed Buddhist, Taoist, Christian, Muslim or other beliefs. The new figures cast doubt on official statistics, which claim China has only 100 million religious worshippers, as well as calling into question the government's assertion that superstitious beliefs will wither away under communist rule. ... According to the survey - which was published in the state-run China Daily - two-thirds of believers are Buddhist, Taoist or devotees of legendary figures such as the Dragon King and the God of Fortune. The researchers estimated the Christian population at 40 million, vastly above the government figure of 16 million. ... At the Xian Great Mosque, mullahs say the number of worshippers has increased by 30% in the past five years and loval travel agents are doing a roaring trade in organising trips to Saudi Arabia for the hajj. In Qinhai, hawkers selling Tibetan buddhist beads, robes and incense say business is booming because so many new monastaries are opening.China seems to be becoming a real market place of world faiths. I wonder whether the 'New Age' style stuff may find a home here. I suspect not because the existing religious scene is alternative enough to the official line and there is an eclectic strand in traditional Chinese religions. On the other hand the words "Falun Gong" may be in indication of things to come? I'd love to see further comment from experienced commentators on China and religion.
Chinese survey finds religion booming | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited: Filed in: China, religion, growth
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