The Financial Resources And Operation Of New Religion In The Repbulic Of China

Along with the development of social history, history researchers are increasingly concerned about the development of the people themselves and move to study on the social groups and the lower classes. In recent years, historians have gradually increased concern and discussion on religion, especially, making use of temple product to develop educational cause in modern time, disputes of religious right and more achievements from aspects of country and society. There are also big breakthroughs on religious association, religious charity and folk religion. This thesis is based on archives and materials of new religions of Republic of China kept in Beijing Municipal Bureau of Society Archives, placing great emphasis on Dao Yuan---The Red Swastika Society, The World Wide Ethical Society and exploring the financial sources and operations of new religions of Republic of China.The thesis is divided into three parts, chapter one makes a general introduction to new religions of Republic of China on its rise, development and social background. Chapter two analyzes the relationship of financial sources between the social elites and the new religions of Republic of China. According to the analysis of the financial sources and channels of new religions, the writer also presents that the social elites are how to participate and fund new religions, through the motivation in the participation to study the issue of ideological belief. Chapter three is the analysis of the financial operation and financial performance of new religions of Republic of China. According to this explanation, and then the social impact and historical status of new religions of Republic of China are showed. In conclusion, the writer shows the relationship between the social elites participating the new religions and the financial sources of religion. The analysis of the financial sources and operations of new religions extends to the analysis of religious organizations and their members'inner world. By exploring the attitude and ideological belief of modern social elites towards to religions, the writer presents people's spiritual life in transitional state of modern Chinese society. The thesis aims at analysis of financial sources and operations of religions and social elites'participation of religious groups and charitable activities to explore how to find a balance between tradition and modernization.