What religion is banned in China?

By McLord Selasi – Updated On:

China has made new rules and restrictions since becoming a superpower and the issue of religion has not been left untouched.

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Golden buddha face in Wat Phutthaisawan temple. Thailand country.

In recent times, there has been recurrent news about the persecution of religious groups in China and there is also the fact that China has one of the largest populations of religious prisoners.

The Constitution of the Republic of China provides for freedom of religion, and the authorities generally respect this right in practice.

“No one may use religion to make an attack on the order of society, harm the physical health of citizens, or impede the activities of the state’s education system. Religious groups and religious affairs shall not be subject to the power of foreign domination.”

XIUSHAN COUNTY, CHINA – JULY 20: (CHINA OUT) Villagers worship their ancestors in a traditional ritual ceremony involving folk dancing during celebrations of Sheba Day at Songnong village on July 20, 2008 in Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County of Chongqing Municipality, China. Sheba Day is one of the most important festivals of Tujia people, celebrated to worship their ancestors. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

What religion is banned in China?

The People’s Republic of China is an officially atheist state, and despite having freedom of religion as a principle, religious activities within China are reportedly restricted. Inhabitants face intensifying persecution, and pressure to adhere to Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ideology.

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Worshippers attend a Christmas eve mass at the Xishiku Cathedral in Beijing on December 24, 2019. (Photo by Noel CELIS / AFP) (Photo by NOEL CELIS/AFP via Getty Images)

The Chinese Communist Party recognizes only five religions including Buddhism, Catholicism, Daoism, Islam, and Protestantism. Authorities tightly monitor registered and unregistered groups.

Unregistered religious groups including house churches, Falun Gong, Tibetan Buddhists, underground Catholics, and Uyghur Muslims face varying degrees of harassment, including imprisonment and torture.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – FEBRUARY 12: Buddhist monks pray as they mark Lunar New Year at Seng Guan temple on February 12, 2021 in Manila, Philippines. The Chinese diaspora of Southeast Asia is celebrating a somewhat subdued Lunar New Year as COVID-19 restrictions cut into what is traditionally a time for people to meet their relatives and take part in celebrations with extended families. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)

Over a dozen religious or spiritual groups are banned in China as “evil cults”. These include

  • Supreme Master Ching Hai
  • The Church of Almighty God (also known as Eastern Lightning).
  • The Shouters
  • Full Scope Church
  • The Disciple Society
  • The Lingling Sect
  • Anointed King
  • Guanyin Method (Ching Hai)
  • Mainland China Administrative Deacon Station
  • Children of God
  • Dami Mission
  • True Buddha School
  • New Testament
  • Bloody Holy Spirit
  • World Elijah Gospel Mission Society
  • The Unification Church
  • Lord God Sect
  • Three Grades of Servants
  • Zhonggong
  • Fǎlúngōng#
  • Yuandunfamen
  • South China Church
  • Pure Land Learning Association