Features of the Study of Religion in China at the beginning of the 20th century

Abstract

The article treats the problem of formation of religious studies in China at the beginning of the 20th century, analyzes the characteristics of religious studies undertaken by the representatives of the different social circles during the Chinese social reforms, the Xinhai Revolution and the proclamation of the Republic. The article discusses, first, not only the role of Christian missionaries in the creation of theological educational institutions and research centers, but also their influence on the formation of the history of religion and comparative religion in China on the basis of Christian theology; secondly, in the same period of Chinese intellectuals, inspired by the ideals of the European Enlightenment and liberation, mastered the free spirit of western philosophy and rationalism of natural sciences, addressed to the criticism of religion; thirdly, after the term “religion” came to the Chinese research discourse, Chinese researchers began to apply a comparative approach to the study of the traditional religions of China. The author on the basis of the analysis of multiple sources in the Chinese language and studies on religion in China, convincingly proves the influence of a comparative study of Christianity and traditional Chinese religions undertaken by the European science and philosophical criticism of religion on the formation and development of religious studies in China. Refs 9.