Chinese Journal of Sociology ›› 2018, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (5): 126-157.

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How to Measure Chinese Religiosity in a Social Survey?

ZHANG Chunni, LU Yunfeng   

  1. Department of Sociology, Peking University
  • Online:2018-09-20 Published:2018-09-20
  • Supported by:

    This study was funded by the project of National Social Science Foundation of China(NSSFC) in title of "The Religion of Taiwan and Its Implications to Mainland China"(13AZJ010).

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Abstract:

The debate on Chinese religiosity is not just a theoretical but also an empirical issue. Social survey as a standard and widely-applied way of data collection depicts a picture of Chinese religious landscape rather very differently from the field observation by social anthropologists. This raises the question of the validity of survey measurement on Chinese religiosity. How accurate can conventional social survey method measure Chinese people's religious beliefs and practices? Unlike in Western societies,Chinese religion has traditionally been non-congregational,non-exclusive,and infused. As a result,survey instruments based on denominational affiliation for measuring western religiosity become less valid when applied in China. To tackle this issue,we utilize three waves of longitudinal data from China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) and rephrase religious affiliation questions in various ways,as well as compare and evaluate questionnaires on religious affiliation,practice,and membership from different waves of the survey and from other survey projects. By demonstrating that changes in questionnaire items can noticeably alter survey outcomes,we argue that the standard Western survey method on religiosity fails to capture the unique Chinese understanding of religion. An alternative way of social survey on Chinese religiosity is therefore proposed.

Key words: religious belief, measurement on Chinese religiosity, China Family Panel Studies, social survey