Religions of China: The World As a Living System

by Daniel L. Overmyer

The guiding themes of Chinese religion as it is actually lived! This short work explains basic ideas and practices of Chinese religions in direct and simple language, with many examples and analogies for increased understanding. Its basic assumption is that religion is best understood as an aspect of everyday life--as something that makes sense to those who practice it--even if outsiders might be puzzled at first. While Overmyer's treatment focuses on traditional China before the twentieth century, many of the beliefs and practices described are still alive, at least in some Chinese communities. While the basic concern of this book is, first, to understand Chinese religions in their own right, it takes the additional step of exploring what modern readers might learn from them.

Genres: Religion, China, Nonfiction

125 pages, Paperback

First published March 19, 1986

Reviews

[John]

It's difficult to know exactly what audience Prof. Overmyer had in mind when writing Religions of China: The World as a Living System. While much of the book appears to be aimed at the lower-division college student needing a broad, quick overview, at times his prose suggests a much younger audience. For instance, take this passage: "Our world is full of special people to whom we turn for inspiration or guidance.... Younger people sometimes model their dress and actions on such heroes and stand in line all night just for the chance to see and hear a rock music star.... In addition, in the movies, there are beings like Superman, Jedi knights, and space voyagers from other planets" (66-67). The tone and reference of such passages (which occur every ten pages or so) are grating in their self-consciously "young person's" orientation. The bland writing style of the book as a whole doesn't help matters.

Perhaps, though, that's just a matter of taste, so what else can be said about the book? In its brief length, it does manage to provide a satisfactory overview of the basics of the Chinese worldview. It does sketch with remarkable economy the history of China and the impact of that history on religious practice. There are some facile comparisons made with Western thought and practice--between Chinese and Christian exorcism, for example (see p. 76), even though these rest on very different understandings of supernatural power and how it is manipulated.

In sum, Overmyer's Religions of China probably will do its basic job of acquainting the absolute newcomer with the broad outlines of Chinese religious thought and practice, and at a much lower cost than other introductory works which carry textbook pricing--but one of these latter will probably be preferable to the college-level or higher reader.

[Gene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overmyer's book was very clearly written. I appreciated reading a book on Chinese religions from a non-Christian perspective because of the lack of bias against the beliefs of adherents to traditional Chinese religions. It was a good book to read after reading David Eastwood's composition on folk religions in Taiwan. It helped show that Eastwood's book, though from a Christian perspective, provides an accurate portrayal of the beliefs and practices of traditional religion here in Taiwan.

Though this lack of bias was a strength, there was still a problem with the even-handedness. Overmyer seems to treat all religions as sociological phenomena, meeting people's felt needs. And in doing so it seemed to leave the impression that all these world religions are essentially doing the same thing. The value is in making individuals better and improving society, regardless the doctrines involved. The problem with this is that it overlooks the matter of Truth. Could one of these faiths really have gotten it right about the spiritual realm and what it consists of? It that is true, then leveling them all down to sociology is cheapening the correct one and lending undue commendation to the errant ones.

[Paloma · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute little storiew

[Jody Mena]

A good overview of Chinese history and religious practices. But it had such a strong JudeoChristian bias that it made my teeth hurt. It was informative, but I would have liked it better if it had been more objective.

[Daniel Burton-Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid introduction to an infinitely complex subject.