This dissertation consists of three main chapters which investigate folk religion in
Chinese societies (mainland and Taiwan). Field research performed in many parts China
has documented the revival of folk religious practices and beliefs, but until now few
rigorous quantitative studies have been performed to investigate its demographic
characteristics, longitudinal trajectories, and civic functions. This dissertation studies
these aspects of Chinese folk religion. Chapter 2 examines the number of folk religion
adherents and their demographic characteristics in both mainland and Taiwan. The
results suggest that in spite of the dramatic social, political, and cultural changes in
modern times, the adherents of folk religion still substantially outnumber the believers of
institutional religions in Chinese societies. Chapter 3 revisits Weber's classic discussion
about disenchantment and recent theoretical development in the religious market
approach about the failure of folk religion on a free religious market. In particular,
Chapter 3 examines the longitudinal trends of different types of folk religion in Taiwan
between 1990 and 2009. The findings highlight the decline of communal folk religion
and the growth of certain types of individual folk religion. Chapter 4 focuses on the civic functions of different types of folk religion. Members of sectarian folk religion are found
to be more likely to get involved in volunteering within religious organizations while
participants of individual folk religion have significantly higher propensity to donate to
both religious and secular organizations.
This dissertation consists of three main chapters which investigate folk religion inChinese societies (mainland and Taiwan). Field research performed in many parts Chinahas documented the revival of folk religious practices and beliefs, but until now fewrigorous quantitative studies have been performed to investigate its demographiccharacteristics, longitudinal trajectories, and civic functions. This dissertation studiesthese aspects of Chinese folk religion. Chapter 2 examines the number of folk religionadherents and their demographic characteristics in both mainland and Taiwan. Theresults suggest that in spite of the dramatic social, political, and cultural changes inmodern times, the adherents of folk religion still substantially outnumber the believers ofinstitutional religions in Chinese societies. Chapter 3 revisits Weber's classic discussionabout disenchantment and recent theoretical development in the religious marketapproach about the failure of folk religion on a free religious market. In particular,Chapter 3 examines the longitudinal trends of different types of folk religion in Taiwanbetween 1990 and 2009. The findings highlight the decline of communal folk religionand the growth of certain types of individual folk religion. Chapter 4 focuses on the civic functions of different types of folk religion. Members of sectarian folk religion are foundto be more likely to get involved in volunteering within religious organizations whileparticipants of individual folk religion have significantly higher propensity to donate toboth religious and secular organizations.
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..
