Učënye Zapiski Kazanskogo Universiteta: Seriâ Gumanitarnye Nauki (Dec 2016)
Religious Situation in the People’s Republic of China under Deng Xiaoping at the Background of Socio-Economic Reforms
Abstract
The paper is a description of the religious situation in China during the period of socio-economic reforms introduced by Deng Xiaoping. The relevance of the study is determined by the fact that there is currently a restructuring transition in China’s economic system, which effects and brings about changes in all spheres of life, including the religious one. The purpose of this study is to show how state measures can lead the country out of a spiritual crisis. In the process of the study, the comparative analytical approach has been used to identify the most important moments in China’s religious policy during the rule of Deng Xiaoping. We have analyzed not only statistical data, but also official documents, which ultimately allowed us to define our own position on the problem. The paper shows what changes the religious system of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) underwent and how much damage was inflicted on it during the rule of Mao Zedong. It has been pointed out that Deng Xiaoping was forced under the conditions of the economic crisis to embark on a path of socio-economic reforms that provoked negative trends in the spiritual sphere. The new leadership of the country led by Deng Xiaoping found a way out of this situation in the restoration of freedom of religion and in the return to traditional values. It has been shown the revitalization of the religious life of the PRC began in the 1980s. Based on the results of the study, the following conclusions have been made: the socio-economic reforms caused a spiritual crisis in China; the way out of this crisis was the return to the system of traditional values and the revival of religious life in the country. To overcome the challenges, a number of legislative acts were adopted, and the leading role played by the intelligentsia and clergy was restored in the society. The results obtained are of great importance for researchers who deal with the issues on China’s spiritual development.
