Supply And Demand Side In The Process Of Conversion

Following the "Religious Economy Model" and "Rational Choice Theory" in contemporary Sociology of Religion, this paper proposes to provide the empirical evidence to conversion based on a case study of Minority in China. It presents results from a two and about one month participant observation study of conversion at a Yi's Protestant community. Utilizing a case study design, the data for this research was gathered by methods of participant observation, in-depth interviews, and documentary analysis.The finding indicates that, if we view the Yi People's Christianity as a "market", its supply-side mainly consists of China Inland Mission, Methodist Church English in Christianity and Bi-Mo Faith in traditional community of the Yi People. On the other hand, the demand-side mainly consists of the Yi People, Miao People and the Han People.This paper empirically explores the distinctiveness of Yi's Christianity in the context of a century history of conversion. Since 1906, when the Gospel spread to Yi People, it has been influenced intensely by Christianity on these people. This work tries to focus on the analysis of process of conversion. The history of Yi People's conversion to Protestant dawn to the missionary work of preachers comes from China Inland Mission who had their small churches inside the Yi villages. The competition between different sects can be seen as a...