Religion in China Today

Back to the Center of State and Society

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A presentation featuring Beijing-based, Pulitzer Prize winner
Ian Johnson

Co-sponsored by:

The University of Notre Dame's McGrath Institute for Church Life

Loyola University Chicago Campus Ministry

The Lumen Christi Institute

ChinaSource

St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish

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Speaker: Ian Johnson

Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist

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For almost a century, Chinese leaders have pursued an agenda of top-down secularization, with most religions heavily persecuted or banned.

However, religion is now back at the center of Chinese society and politics, with the country awash with new temples, churches, and mosques—as well as cults, sects, and politicians trying to harness religion for their own ends.

And now, at the same time that it is demolishing churches and detaining Muslims in reeducation camps, the government is promoting Buddhism, Taoism, and folk religion.

What sense are outsiders to make of these seeming contradictory policies? How do Chinese leaders intend to manage the tension between an atheistic state and a constitution that guarantees freedom of religious belief? What do these policies this say about China’s participation in the larger global community?

Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Ian Johnson has lived in China for more than 20 years, following the country’s search for values, faith, and new ways of organizing society.

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The evening will include an opportunity to raise questions with our speaker.

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Transit and parking information may be found below.

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IAN JOHNSON EVENT INTEREST FORM

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Your contact information will only be used to keep you informed about this event unless you choose otherwise.

Parking and Transit

Event Location

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Regent's Hall 

Lewis Towers - 16th Floor

111 East Pearson Street, Chicago, IL

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Public transit

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Chicago-and-State stop on the Red Line,

(from there walk 1 block north to Pearson,

then 1½ blocks east to Lewis Towers).

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Discounted Parking - $10 for the  eve

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Mag Mile Self Park, 110 East Pearson Street.

NOTE: Present parking tag at the event welcome table to get your validation sticker.

The US-China Catholic Association was founded in 1989 by concerned U.S. bishops, Maryknoll, the Jesuits, and representatives of other religious orders in order to promote mutual support and fraternal ties between the Church in China and the U.S. Church.