Why do people lie about China being an atheist nation, are they just stupid people or agenda driven?

Question

China is a multi-religious country, where Confucianism,Taoism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity is practiced. Freedom of belief is a government policy, and normal religious activities are protected by the constitution.

On first acquaintance China's religious life seems complicated and conflicting, with temples full of confusing ornaments and worshippers dividing their devotion between Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism. In fact, the Chinese have traditionally treated religion as a practical feature of everyday life.

When you see adorer in a temple, praying, lighting joss sticks or shaking fortune-sticks from a canister, you can be fairly sure that they are asking the gods for such benefits as medical help, wealth, the birth of a son and good luck. Although many modern Chinese would deny any religious belief, most of them acknowledge the balancing power of yin and yang, the dark, feminine negative and the light, masculine positive forces that make it possible to accept the bad times along with the good.

Confucianism

Confucianism dated back some two thousand years,despite not being a formal religion is practiced widely throughout the country.Although there are temples and monasteries dedicated to the fifth-century BC sage, Confucius (Kong Zi) is revered not as a god but a great man whose system of ethics shaped Chinese society for many centuries.Confucius believed that a successful society had to be regulated according to duties and privileges, so he devised a hierarchy of responsibility based on social realities. Thus a ruler was to be obeyed but he also had to take care of his people. In like manner, men had moral duties to their wives and children, who responded with loyalty and devotion. Although this could lead to stifling conformity, the system did create a civil service of educated, usually competent and mostly honest men. It also enshrined the practice of filial piety, which was a key factor in both Buddhism and Daoism.

Daoism

While Confucianism satisfied the practical needs of the Chinese, they looked to Daoism for an outlet for their romantic, and superstitious imaginations. Derived from ancient nature worship, Daoism was propagated by Lao Zi,a philosopher of the sixth century BC, who embraced the principles of yin and yang, but added a spirit world of immortal creatures who could intercede for devotees, if they were offered incense and burnt offerings.Daoists believe in the sanctity of all life, and advocate vegetarianism. They extol courage, loyalty and compassion. Among their many deities - most of whom were originally heroic or saintly humans - are Tian Hou, goddess of the sea, Bai Gong, spirit of the north, and Bao Gong, god of justice.

The Taoists aim was to secure and enjoy longevity or to become one of a variety of immortals. This could be achieved through a broad range of measures: medical treatment, sexual practices, breathing techniques, meditation, gymnastics, prayers, communal rites etc. Basically, it was considered necessary to keep the body and its own thousands of gods in harmony with their heavenly counterparts.

Buddhism

Lamaism, a Buddhist sect, has its followers mostly among the Tibetan, Mongolian, Tus and Yugur. Hinayana, or Lesser Vehicle Buddhism, has believers mainly among such ethnic groups as the Bai, Dai, Deang, Achang, Blang, Jingpo and some of the Va.

The arrival of Buddhism in China via the Silk Road in the 2nd century BC, and found a ready public. It attracted scholars with its classical literature and artists with its high regard for sculpture and painting. It also drew those who wanted to renounce the world of the senses in remote monasteries and nunneries, where the faithful could spend his or her years in meditation and prayer.

Other religions:

Among other religions practiced in China, Islam has the greatest number of followers. They are mostly concentrated in the northwest regions of Xinjiang, Ningxia and Inner Mongolia, although there are also Moslem communities in Xian, Beijing and Guangzhou.Islam has a following among ten ethnic groups -- the Hui, Uygur, Kazak, Tatar, Kirgiz, Tajik, Ozbek, Dongxiang, Salar and Bonan.

Christianity never achieved a wide acceptance in China and appealed mostly to Westernized intellectuals.Protestantism found converts among the Miao and Yi, and some ethnic minorities living in western Yunnan. Believers in the Orthodox Eastern Church are found among the small groups of Russian and Ewenki.There are some three million Catholics in China. Most belong to the state-approved church, while a minority recognize the Pope as their leader.

Answer 1

While you are right for the most part you left something out. Most people might think that they are atheist cause they are a communist country and it is said that communist are not religious. What you forgot was that while many people are religious, the members of the party and the leaders of the government are required to denounce religion. This is done because the government does not want religion to control it. But it should also be pointed out that it is very hard to be a member of the party.

Answer 2

Hay S-dude.Just got a second here. Born-Again Christians are not liked by the Chinese gov. Last year some missionarys from the ministry I'm in got caught with 300 new bibles and were thrown into jail and the bibles were thrown into the sewer. It's a struggle right now, but there are hundreds converting every day from all of those countries.

Keep a cool tool..catch up to ya soon..the R-dude.

Answer 3

Well, the official statement is Atheist because officially they are Communist, and Communist believe in no gods.

The official statement does not necessary reflect the actual situation of her citizen. Just as I mentioned else where, US is officially a Christian nation. How Christian are they?

Not many believe that Bible is the divine word of God, and even practise Homo, and have Homo Bishop!\

Don't get so work out and so defensive. Just a statement.

Answer 4

Narrow mindedness and simple stupidity is my guess. I love china and can't wait for it to be the greatest superpower. China has never waged war against others. China helps developing nations with actual economic aid. Unlike the US that for ex. claims to have helped somalia with 2billion dollars of aid... most of it going to the downed helicopters and military expenditure. I can't wait to live in an 'eastern world'.

Answer 5

They're most certainly agenda driven, but to be honest we all are. You'll read more ignorance and intolerance before the day is over on Yahoo Answers, from all sides of all issues. You just have to learn to ignore it.

Answer 6

You answered my question and I have to say your answer is wrong. If you had been paying attention, I was telling people the truth about Christians because they have a misconcieved perception on who Christians are. You should hold your tongue before saying things that make you look so stupid.

Answer 7

Any and all recognized religions in China are state controlled. Got it? State controlled. The government tolerates the religions as long as they don't attempt to preach subversive actions against the government, or proselytize to much and too openly.

Answer 8

I do not know where you get your idea of freedom of religion in China. Religious activities are heavily regulated in that country, and all religious organizations are heavily spied upon.

Answer 9

Swallow one cup uncooked rice. Drink two cups very warm water. Call me in the morning.