This book addresses the issue of public religion and its implications in Chinese society. Zhibin Xie explores various normative considerations concerning the appropriate role of religion in public political life in a democratic culture. Besides drawing on the theoretical discourse on religion in the public sphere from Western academics, it holds that the issue of religion in Chinese politics should be addressed by paying attention to characteristics of religious diversity and its political context in China. This leads to a position of "liberal-constrained public religion" in China, which encourages religious contribution to the public sphere as a substantial component of religious liberty in China on the one hand and proposes some constraints both upon government and religions for regulating religious political discourse on the other.
Biography
Zhibin Xie earned his Ph.D. in philosophy of religion from the University of Hong Kong His area of research is religion and society, Christian theology and public life in particular, and he has published several articles in Studies in Interreligious Dialogue, Logos & Pneuma: Chinese Journal of Theology, Regent Review of Christian Thoughts and Journal for the Study of Christian Culture.
’Zhibin Xie has written an ambitious and commendable book that makes a timely contribution to academic discussions about religion in China.’ The China Journal ’The strength of this book lies in its philosophical discourse...’ International Bulletin of Missionary Research ’... both an intriguing and courageous book.’ Journal of Chinese Religions
