*The main problem I feel "the West" has with the "East and Far East", i.e., China and Japan primarily is that they have many, many atheists, i.e., people that don't believe in GOD. I as GOD's son want and need to change this trend and fast. I respect China and their Buddhism and Taoism; they are very wise and also serve my Father as well. I just want them to know that I Jesus Christ love them all also and when I begin what I started before an erupt, bitter and early end that I was headed in their direction before my death. I promise to include All people Worldwide. People of the east are highly misrepresented, disrespected and neglected. I as Jesus promise to change this starting from the Americas with my "home base" in the USA. Please note the USA is the most diverse Nation on this earth and houses many Chinese, Japanese and Asians also.
There isn't one single "main" religion in China; the majority (over half) are unaffiliated or atheist, but among believers, Chinese folk religions (blending ancestor worship, Taoism, Buddhism) and Buddhism are the most prevalent, followed by Christianity and Islam, with the government officially recognizing these and Taoism as major faiths, despite promoting atheism.
China and Asia
Key Religious Landscape:
Unaffiliated/Atheist (Majority):
A large portion of the Chinese population identifies as atheist or unaffiliated, influenced by the ruling Communist Party.
Chinese Folk Religions (Most Followers):
This blend of traditional beliefs, ancestor veneration, Taoism, and Buddhism is practiced by the largest number of people, though often alongside other faiths.
The largest institutionalized religion, with hundreds of millions of followers, especially Chinese Mahayana Buddhism.
A significant indigenous philosophy and religion, deeply intertwined with folk practices.
Christianity & Islam:
Have smaller but growing followings, with state-controlled organizations for registration.
Important Considerations:
Syncretism:
Many Chinese people blend beliefs from Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and folk practices, making strict categorization difficult.
Official Stance:
While the government promotes atheism, it officially recognizes Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Protestantism, and Catholicism as legitimate religions.
The Bible's age varies: its earliest writings (like Genesis/Job) date back over 3,400 years (around 1400 BC), while the final books (New Testament, like Revelation) were finished around 90 AD, making the collection over 1,900 years old, written by many authors over 1,500 years. So, depending on whether you mean when it started or finished, it's between 1,900 and 3,400+ years old.
Old Testament (Hebrew Bible)
Oldest Parts: Around 1400 BC (Genesis, Job).
Completion: Roughly 400 BC (Malachi).
New Testament (Christian Scriptures)
Written: About 50 AD (Paul's letters) to 90 AD (Revelation).
Key Points
Collection: The Bible is a library of books, not a single text.
Authors: Around 40 different authors contributed over 1,500 years.
Compilation: The final canon (list of books) was largely established around the 4th century AD.
China's age depends on what you mean: its civilization is thousands of years old, with early cultures in the Yellow River basin from around 7500 BCE, while written history starts with the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600 BCE), making it over 3,500 years old with records; the concept of a unified "China" began with the Qin Dynasty in 221 BCE, and the modern People's Republic of China (PRC) was founded in 1949, making it 76 years old as a state.
Key Milestones:
Early Cultures (Neolithic):
Evidence of advanced Neolithic cultures, including farming and pottery (like Hemudu and Pengtoushan), dates back to 7500 BCE or earlier.
Written Records:
The earliest confirmed written records, oracle bone inscriptions, date to the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE).
First Dynasty (Semi-Legendary):
The Xia Dynasty (c. 2070–1600 BCE) is considered the first, though archaeological proof is debated.
Unified Empire:
China was first unified as an empire under the Qin Dynasty in 221 BCE, forming a centralized state.
Modern Nation:
The current political entity, the People's Republic of China (PRC), was established on October 1, 1949.
So, China's history as a continuous civilization spans millennia, but its statehood has distinct, much more recent origins.
Japan's main religions are Shinto (indigenous) and Buddhism, with most Japanese people participating in practices from both traditions, often blending them into daily life, rather than strictly adhering to one; Shinto focuses on nature spirits (kami) and shrines, while Buddhism arrived later and heavily influenced Japanese culture, leading to syncretism where people visit both shrines and temples for different life events, notes Wikipedia.
Key Points:
Shinto: Japan's indigenous faith, centered on rituals at shrines, venerating kami (gods/spirits) in nature, and emphasizing purity and community festivals (matsuri).
Buddhism: Introduced from mainland Asia, it coexists with Shinto, often influencing views on the afterlife, while Shinto focuses more on this world.
Syncretism: Many Japanese people don't identify exclusively with one religion; they might have a Shinto wedding, a Buddhist funeral, and celebrate both traditions, reflecting a flexible approach to faith.
Secularism: While Shinto and Buddhism are prevalent, many Japanese also report having no specific religious affiliation in surveys, even while participating in religious customs.
Jesus Christ Son of GOD