中國宗教教徒知多少

中國有多少非無神論者？最新數字統計可能會讓您大吃一驚。一項由華東師範大學教授進行的調查顯示，中國16歲以上的宗教教徒達3億人，佔這一年齡段人數的31.4%。資料同時顯示，佛教、道教、天主教、基督教和伊斯蘭是中國現行的五大宗教，而佛教、道教等中國傳統宗教的復甦是中國「宗教現象」的一大特色。調查認為，中國宗教信徒增多與中國現行的宗教信仰自由政策有關，同時，新形勢下新湧現的一系列社會矛盾也是宗教復活的一大因素。

Believers pray in a church in Shanghai on the Christmas Eve in this December 24, 2006 photo. A survey has found that the number of religious believers is three times bigger than the official estimate. [newsphoto]

The number of people who describe themselves as religious is a startling three times more than the official estimate, according to the country's first major survey on religious beliefs.

The poll of about 4,500 people, conducted by professors Tong Shijun and Liu Zhongyu of Shanghai-based East China Normal University from 2005 till recently, found that 31.4 percent of Chinese aged 16 and above or about 300 million are religious.

This is in sharp contrast to the official figure of 100 million, which has remained largely unchanged for years.

According to the survey, Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, Christianity and Islam are the five major religions, accounting for 67.4 percent of believers.

A striking feature is there-vitalizationof traditional Chinese religions.

About 200 million people are Buddists, Taoists or worshippers of legendary figures such as the Dragon King and God of Fortune, accounting for 66.1 per cent of all believers.

Also significant is the big rise in followers of Christianity.

According to official figures, their number rose from less than 10 million in the late 1990s to 16 million in 2005; but the survey finds 12 percent of all believers, or 40 million, are Christians.

The survey alsosheds light onreasons behind the religious revival.

Of the 1,361 people surveyed, 24.1 percent said religion "shows the true path of life"; and 28 percent said it "helps cure illness, avoid disasters and ensure that life is smooth".

"This kind of feeling is especially common in rural areas," Liu was quoted as saying in the latest issue of Chinese-language Oriental Outlook magazine, which published the survey.

However, Liu disagreed that religious passion is fanned by poverty. For example, many new believers in recent years are from the economically-developed coastal areas.