Folk Belief In The Process Of Shanxi Urbanization Since The Reform And Opening Up

Shanxi has a long history with profound cultures, so the folk belief in this area has many specific features in different historical periods. Since the reform and opening up, folk beliefs in Shanxi has been reviving and evolving in the process of urbanization, however, the research achievements in this area is comparatively few. This article was to preliminarily discuss the folk beliefs of Shanxi in the process of urbanization after the reform and opening up on the basis of the research achievements of predecessors.The paper includes three parts: The first section reviews existing academic researches, based on which the meaning and idea of the present study will be provided.The second part is the core part which consists of three chapters. The first chapter introduces the level and the process of urbanization in Shanxi as a background, and traces the trajectory of the revival of folk beliefs:recovery after stopping-partial development-comprehensive regeneration, and explores the reasons of the revival of folk beliefs.The second chapter examines the status quo of folk beliefs in three different areas of urbanization levels:the completely urbanization areas, urbanizing areas, yet no emergence of urbanization. Viewing from the Consecrated situations, the God of Wealth and the Goddess of Mercy are commonly believed by locals in three types of areas, but different types of areas have different emphases on family consecration and community consecration. Checking from the faith activities, three types of areas all have Temple Management Committee (Council) which is responsible for the maintenance of the temple, the day-to-day management, but the levels of the organizational ability of the Temple Management Committee are different. The third chapter discusses the interaction between urbanization and folk beliefs. Urbanization on the one hand impacts the living space of some part of the folk belief, faith-based activities, the object of faith, and faith-based groups, on the other hand it brings the folk beliefs about new opportunities to promote its level of self-adjustment to accommodate the needs of social transformation. In addition, as part of traditional culture, not only the folk beliefs have a positive role in the process of urbanization, but also have a negative impact, which should be carefully screened and actively guided.Part Ⅲ concludes the paper. Folk beliefs is a complex system and has strong vitality, which can not decline overall due to urbanization and the development of technology. In face of the new situations and conditions brought about by urbanization, folk belief system will take the initiative to adjust and constantly enhance its modern factors in order to adapt to the changing public and social. The effects of urbanization diminishes people’s enthusiasm on witchcraft, and the superstitious folk beliefs gradually fades Some folk beliefs activities have become increasingly prominent in non-religious functions such as culture, aesthetics, recreation, economic development in the new context of the times. We should face up to the double impact of folk beliefs, digest its negative role and play its positive features in order to promote the process of urbanization and the construction of a harmonious society.