Berkley Center

After spending two months in northwestern China and attending an international church in Beijing and mosques in Beijing, Xi'an, and Luoyang (Henan Province), I realized that Christianity and Islam seem to play a quiet but significant role in China. Although religion in China is not as "suppressed" as American media seems to portray, religion is usually a subject to be avoided, and faith is practiced according to one's comfort level.

I am still slightly unclear about the relationship between the government and religion. I have heard from some that in some churches sermons must be submitted for approval. However, I have also heard that the government is tolerant of people practicing religion as long as the material presented or activities conducted are not too radical. Rumors aside, I am rather skeptical of the comment concerning the government's non-interference with religious activities. I attended an international church in Beijing where only foreign passport holders were admitted inside. The minister explained that the reason for passport checks upon entrance to the service was to "preserve the integrity" of the church. It makes me wonder what happened in the past that this church needed to establish this rule and enforce it so strictly.

Outward displays of religious affiliation or interest seem to be less socially acceptable in China. In general, Christian and Islamic places of worship in China are not only fewer in number than in America, but they are also much less conspicuous. I originally thought that it would be easier to find books on religion in large bookstores. However, in Wangfujing Bookstore (one of the largest bookstores in Beijing), there was only one short and narrow bookshelf with religious books. The fact that religious books can more easily be found in smaller independent bookstores confirms the idea that the average Chinese is not interested in the subject of religion in China.

I also noticed that I rarely saw Chinese Muslims wearing Islamic dress outside of areas with larger Muslim populations. This hesitancy to show religious affiliations publicly was reinforced by one of my experiences while I was in Hong Kong. I had asked one of my good friends from a university in Beijing if he wanted to pray with me over Skype. He replied that he did not want to pray aloud because if someone walking down the hall heard, it might make him or her uncomfortable. My friend's response shocked me, and made me realize that regardless of any government restrictions on religion, social restrictions and pressure are the most consequential in determining how the Chinese practice their religions.

Although religion is still practiced widely, in areas such as Xinjiang Muslims and Christians comprise only a small percentage of the total population. According to the CIA World Factbook, Muslims and Christians account for only 1 to 2 percent and between 3 and 4 percent of the Chinese population respectively. That being said, it is difficult to estimate the actual numbers of practicing Muslims and Christians, as many Chinese practice their respective religions in private. For example, many Christians are members of Christian house churches or underground churches which are not registered and whose services are conducted in relative secrecy.

Christians and Muslims in China must balance their religious activities with social pressure and government restrictions. Although they are not visibly mistreated and especially not to the point that Western media portrays them to be, I am sure that how they assert their religious identities is a daily concern for many. Regardless of any limitations on their religious freedoms, the Christians and Muslims are determined to practice their beliefs and all welcomed me to their services.