RELIGION AND SOCIETY IN MAINLAND CHINA IN THE 1990S

Despite several decades of religious suppression by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), religions have experienced a phenomenal growth in mainland China especially since the mid-1980s. Currently, various forms of religions, particularly the traditional folk religions, can be seen all over mainland China; the coastal provinces such as Fukien (Fujian) and Chekiang (Zhejiang) seem to enjoy the fastest growth. This reappearance of religlions becomes a major social force increasingly catching the attention of both the Communist government and the academics. Focusing on Fukien and Chekiang provinces, this paper suggests a new paradigm to look at religion in Chinese society, traces the historical development of several major religions from the beginning of this century till recent times, summarizes the current status of these major religions, and analyzes the social and political impacts of these religions on mainland Chinese society.