Sinicization: State-Enforced Enculturation of the Gospel and Church
By Rollin Grams, Bible and Mission.
In mission studies, we discuss the notion of ‘enculturation of the Gospel’ and debate what that means and what are its positive and negative aspects. Other terms used have included ‘translation of the Gospel’ or even ‘cultural syncretism’. The question is whether or to what extent the Gospel and the Church can be presented in understandable terms to a given culture, and to what extent they remain true to what they are with any adaptation.
In China, the discussion includes the word ‘sinicization’. The term originally had to do with what others called ‘indiginisation,’ where the emphasis fell on replacing foreign workers like missionaries with nationals. It highlighted the ‘assimilation of minorities in the Chinese empire into Chinese culture and language.’ It now has a much more political meaning: ‘In order to be accepted as “sinicized,” they should have leaders selected by the CCP and operate within a framework of strategies and objectives indicated by the CCP.’[1]
New articles regulating ‘religious venues’ in China are set to go into effect 1 September, 2023. They include many stipulations that give the government complete control not only over religious ‘venues’ but, potentially, over the religions themselves. Three of the articles are presented below as examples.[2]
Article 3 Places of religious activity shall uphold the leadership of the CCP and the socialist system, thoroughly implement Xi Jinping’s ideology of socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era, abide by the Constitution, laws, rules and regulations and relevant provisions on the management of religious affairs, practice core socialist values, adhere to the direction of Sinicization of China’s religions, adhere to the principle of independence, autonomy and self-sufficiency, and safeguard the unity of the country, national unity, religious harmony and social stability.
Article 6 Places of religious activity shall establish management organizations and implement democratic management.
No affiliation shall be formed between different places of religious activity.
Article 7 The Department of religious affairs shall, in conjunction with the relevant departments, supervise and manage places of religious activity in accordance with the law, safeguard citizens’ freedom of religious belief, protect the lawful rights and interests of places of religious activity, and guide and supervise places of religious activity to standardize their internal management.
Article 30 The management organization of a place of religious activity shall perform the following duties:
(i) To unite and educate religious citizens to love the motherland, support the leadership of the CCP, practice socialist core values, adhere to the direction of the Sinicization of China’s religions, and abide by the Constitution, laws, regulations, rules and regulations and the relevant provisions of the management of religious affairs….
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