The Life of the Chinese
Faith and Religion
China has multiple faiths and religions, these religions includes 185 million Buddhists, 33 million Christians and 12 million Taoists. Buddhism has been in China for over 2,000 years and is the leading religion. Buddhism is the leading revision because it is not only a faith but it also affects the culture and social aspects of China. For example Buddhism influences art and ideology throughout the country and encourages same culture communication with foreign countries. Buddhism is wide spread from common people to businessmen; recent study shows that 39% of businessmen are of Buddhist faith. Christianity became well known in china after 1840’s. Most Christians are Mainland but come together to worship in south China. Taoism originated just after Buddhism and has influenced Chinas literature as well as their medicine. There are about 300 Taoist Temples spread across china. Taoists live in Hong Kong, Macau and the Mainland too. Along with these three major religions Confucianism is also highly practiced in China. Confucianism isn’t necessarily a religion but a way of living or ethical code. This shaped Chinas culture greatly by shaped the Chinese thinking and teaching patterns. Another traditional Chinese belief is to worship the souls of their ancestors. Media Throughout China’s history, the Chinese government has dictated the media. While in the Chinese constitution, citizens are allowed freedom of speech and press, authorities use the vague media regulations to claim that the stories could potentially endanger the country by sharing state secrets. In April 2010, the Chinese government made a revision to it’s existing law on guarding state secrets that tightened it’s control over information through news media. The definitions of state secrets in China are still vague and this allows the government to censor any information they deem as harmful to their political or economic interest (Bennett, 2013). Out of 179 countries worldwide, China
China has multiple faiths and religions, these religions includes 185 million Buddhists, 33 million Christians and 12 million Taoists. Buddhism has been in China for over 2,000 years and is the leading religion. Buddhism is the leading revision because it is not only a faith but it also affects the culture and social aspects of China. For example Buddhism influences art and ideology throughout the country and encourages same culture communication with foreign countries. Buddhism is wide spread from common people to businessmen; recent study shows that 39% of businessmen are of Buddhist faith. Christianity became well known in china after 1840’s. Most Christians are Mainland but come together to worship in south China. Taoism originated just after Buddhism and has influenced Chinas literature as well as their medicine. There are about 300 Taoist Temples spread across china. Taoists live in Hong Kong, Macau and the Mainland too. Along with these three major religions Confucianism is also highly practiced in China. Confucianism isn’t necessarily a religion but a way of living or ethical code. This shaped Chinas culture greatly by shaped the Chinese thinking and teaching patterns. Another traditional Chinese belief is to worship the souls of their ancestors. Media Throughout China’s history, the Chinese government has dictated the media. While in the Chinese constitution, citizens are allowed freedom of speech and press, authorities use the vague media regulations to claim that the stories could potentially endanger the country by sharing state secrets. In April 2010, the Chinese government made a revision to it’s existing law on guarding state secrets that tightened it’s control over information through news media. The definitions of state secrets in China are still vague and this allows the government to censor any information they deem as harmful to their political or economic interest (Bennett, 2013). Out of 179 countries worldwide, China
References: China - Geert Hofstede. (n.d.). Cultural Insights - Geert Hofstede. Retrieved March 25, 2013, from http://geert-hofstede.com/china.html Agency with 24/7 Tour Service - TravelChinaGuide. Retrieved March 25, 2013, from http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/religion/ Liu, Y. (n.d.). Cultural Factors and Rhetorical Patterns In Classical Chinese Argumentation . Intercultural Communications Studies XVI. Retrieved March 29, 2013, from www.uri.edu/iaics/content/2007v16n1/19%20Yingqin%20Liu.pdf Sany, M Yum, J. O. (2013). Communication Monographs. Taylor and Francis Group, 80(1), 1-5.