Irreligion in China
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
China has the world's largest irreligious population,[3] and the Chinese government and the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are officially atheist and have conducted antireligious campaigns throughout their rule.[4] Religious freedom is nominally protected under the Chinese constitution. Among the general Chinese population, there are a wide variety of religious practices.[5] The Chinese government's attitude to religion is one of skepticism and non-promotion.[5][6][7][8]
According to a 2012 Gallup poll, 47% of Chinese people were convinced atheists, and a further 30% were not religious. In comparison, only 14% considered themselves to be religious.[9] More recently, a 2015 Gallup poll found the number of convinced atheists in China to be 61%, with a further 29% saying that they are not religious compared to just 7% who are religious.[10]
Since 1978, the constitution provides for religious freedom: "No state organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not to believe in, any religion; nor may they discriminate against citizens because they do, or do not believe in religion" (article 36). The Chinese state officially recognizes five religions - Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism - managed by the State Administration for Religious Affairs of the United Front Work Department.[11][12]