Christianity Quote by Ian Johnson
““The Beijing social commentator Li Fan once wrote a monograph on Christianity in China declaring that China’s unregistered churches were the only real example of civil society—in other words, organizations independent of government control that tried to change or improve society.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The China Reader, 2020
A claim that unregistered churches in China exemplify true civil society, acting independently of the state to improve society.
In simple terms: Unregistered churches are seen as genuine civil society.
Key Takeaway
Recognize grassroots groups as civil society actors.
Themes
civil society
religion
state
independence
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
academic
observational
When to use this quote
- non‑governmental organizations
- faith communities
- policy analysis
Key Concepts
political theory
social movements
Questions to Reflect On
- Can religious groups truly be apolitical?
- How does state repression affect civil society?
A Different Perspective
The definition of civil society may be contested in authoritarian contexts.
