Religion in China?

For a country that claims to be atheist, it amazed me how often they referred to “heaven.”  We went to the “Temple of the Heavenly Son” and through the “Heavenly Gate.” Even in conversation, people mentioned “heaven.”

            Atheism is the official position of the communist Chinese government, and one survey found that 59% of the people were irreligious. A degree of religious freedom is allowed, however. Buddhism is said to be the largest religion, though it is difficult to estimate a number because most adherents do not do anything formal to become a “member.”

            Christianity is the second largest religion, about 4-10% of the population. There are both officially sanctioned Catholic and Protestant churches in China, and many unofficial “house churches.”  One of our guides was a Christian, even naming his little boy “Luke.”  I saw a woman wearing a cross necklace and smiled and pointed to it. She was excited that I had noticed. Through hand signs and pointing we communicated and really did feel a relationship.

            The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in not yet officially recognized in China, though our relationship has been “regularized” – a carefully chosen word. In Hong Kong there are several stakes and a temple.