Chinese Religious Life

by David A. Palmer (Editor), Glenn Shive, Philip L. Wickeri

Written by a team of internationally renowned scholars, this volume provides an in-depth introduction to religion in contemporary China. Instead of adopting the traditional focus on pre-modern religious history and doctrinal traditions, Chinese Religious Life examines the social dimensions of religious life, with essays devoted to religion in urban, rural, and ethnic minority settings; to the religious dimensions of body, gender, environment, and civil society; and to the historical, sociological, economic, and political aspects of religion in contemporary Chinese society.

Genres: China

277 pages, Paperback

First published August 16, 2011

About the author

David A. Palmer is a professor of sociology at Hong Kong University.

NOTE: There is more than one author with this name on Goodreads.

Reviews

[DeanJean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this was a true eye opener for me. This book is a thorough introduction to China's approach to religion throughout the ages, the impact of religion on the economy and society, and how in turn his religions have influenced and shaped the Western world, and vice versa. In some chapters of the book, comparisons to other societies with considerable Chinese populations are made, which were very fascinating when you see similarities between what we practice here, and what is done in other parts of the world.

The takeaway for me here was becoming more aware of the trickle-down effects that our religious beliefs and practices have on our lives, on personal, familial and societal levels.