Conversion or protection? : collective violence and Christian movements in late nineteenth-century Chaozhou, South China
This doctoral thesis examines the relationship between Protestant Christianity and collective violence in rural China during the turbulent period of the late nineteenth century (1860-1900). It focuses on the creation of some Chinese Baptist and Presbyterian village communities in the prefecture of Chaozhou in Guangdong province. Set in this highly competitive and violent environment, this study singles out intra-lineage and intra-village conflicts as a key to understanding the Protestant expansion into the interior. It argues that Protestant Christianity advanced in some inland areas with a long history of rural violence. Conversion, especially of an entire lineage segment or a substantial number of villagers, often followed the pre-existing communal divisions and rivalries. When the American Baptist and English Presbyterian missions became entngled in the longstanding intra-lineage and intravillage conflicts, they added a new dimension to the competition. The missionary presence enabled the local Christians to mobilize external resources to strengthen themselves against their rivals. Apart from appealing to the missionaries for help, the Christians also took the initiative to integrate the church into the
Lee, Joseph Tse-Hei
Christianity; Social; Communal; Conflict
Conversion or protection? : collective violence and Christian movements in late nineteenth-century Chaozhou, South China. This doctoral thesis examines the relationship between Protestant Christianity and collective violence in rural China during the turbulent period of the late nineteenth century (1860-1900). It focuses on the creation of some Chinese Baptist and Presbyterian village communities in the prefecture of Chaozhou in Guangdong province. Set in this highly competitive and violent environment, this study singles out intra-lineage and intra-village conflicts as a key to understanding the Protestant expansion into the interior. It argues that Protestant Christianity advanced in some inland areas with a long history of rural violence. Conversion, especially of an entire lineage segment or a substantial number of villagers, often followed the pre-existing communal divisions and rivalries. When the American Baptist and English Presbyterian missions became entngled in the longstanding intra-lineage and intravillage conflicts, they added a new dimension to the competition. The missionary presence enabled the local Christians to mobilize external resources to strengthen themselves against their rivals. Apart from appealing to the missionaries for help, the Christians also took the initiative to integrate the church into the
conversion protection collective violence christian movement south china doctoral examines_relationship protestant christianity collective violence rural china turbulent_period late_nineteenth century focus creation chinese baptist presbyterian village_community prefecture province set highly competitive violent environment study single intra lineage intra village conflict key protestant expansion interior argues protestant christianity advance inland area long_history rural violence conversion especially entire lineage segment substantial_number often follow pre_existing communal division rivalry american baptist english presbyterian mission become longstanding intra lineage conflict add_new dimension competition missionary presence enable local christians mobilize external resource strengthen rival apart appeal missionary help christians also take initiative integrate church