Reflecting on over half a century of study on Chinese culture, Jordan Paper explores new ways of approaching religion in China. Moving away from using Christianity as a model for examination, which has led to considerable misunderstandings between China and the West, Paper instead applies the paradigm of Familism to Chinese religion. By looking through the lens of Familism, which emphasises the importance of the family unit, Paper argues that we can understand the basis of Chinese culture, society, government, and religion. In the book, Paper explains how, when and why Familism appears in the development of human culture in the Neolithic period, as well as its ramifications in more complex societies, using the imperial Chinese state as an example. The discussion in the book includes how the Chinese state can be understood as a religious institution; the role of spirit possession; the relationship of other religions in China to Chinese Religion, including Buddhism, Daoism and Judaism; and the issue of freedom of religion in contemporary China.
Chinese Religion and Familism not only challenges the discipline's perception of Chinese religion, but all of the religions of East Asia, indigenous sub-Saharan African religions, Polynesian Religion, and elsewhere.
Jordan Paper, for the first time in religious studies, applies the paradigm of familism to Chinese religion, arguing that it allows for a better understanding of religion in China.About the AuthorJordan Paper is Professor Emeritus at York University (Toronto) and a Fellow at the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society at the University of Victoria (BC), Canada. He is author of a dozen books covering Chinese religion, Native American religions, polytheism, mysticism, female spirituality, and Chinese Judaism.
ReviewsThe volume's value lies in intriguing questions, informative illustrations, and relevant glimpses at local practices. * Religious Studies Review *
Book InformationISBN 9781350103603
Author Jordan PaperFormat Paperback
Page Count 200
Imprint Bloomsbury AcademicPublisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 316g