In China, in contrast with the wholly "primitive" fields, we
find both civilization and a homogeneous social order. ¹ Never-
theless, Chinese religion of today contains particulars not far
from primitive. In fact, the eminently practical Chinese have laid
stress on the earthly life, and it may be truly said that they have
consistently possessed "the feeblest religious sense to be found in
any great nation." ² They have, indeed, their "three religions"
and others, also, but have registered toward them recently a mood
of open opposition, in addition to their traditional religious un-
concern.

Religion Today. --China yields place to the Soviet Union
alone in her open and official hostility toward the age-old faiths.
During the Revolution in 1911 the great god T'ai Shan (cf.
p. 104, below) was "slain" in Foochow, along with hundreds of
gods, goddesses, and demons who lived in his temple, and the
temple itself was sealed against its further use for worship.
Similar acts of anti-religious violence were committed elsewhere,
although such incidents may at times have been at the hands of
"communists" beyond any governmental control. The Foochow
temple, however, was later reopened and restored, and the image
of T'ai Shan paraded publicly in recognition of his lordship over
men. ³ In recent years, 1928-1931, multitudes of images and idols
were officially destroyed excepting, ironically, the images of the
god of loyalty to friends and of the god of loyalty to nations.
The "Government," and in particular, the Kuomintang, or
"nationalist" party, have called the religions of the country
"superstitions," and have set about to "regulate" them. Scores of
temples have been demolished by official action. Some have been
converted to other than religious usages.

Many Chinese leaders, intellectuals, and governmental officials
have protested against allowing religion any place in the building

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