Why did Christianity Fail in Asia while Succeeding in Europe?
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Date: 2024-01-08
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Comments and reviews: 19
Mindflayer911
This is pure speculation on my part since i dont consider myself an expert on East Asian culture by any means but i think the lack of pre Christian, familiar ideas also contributes. I think most Christians when confronted with it recognize much of the faith adapts or re brands already existing pagan practices in Europe that had existed centuries before. Look at pre Christian winter solstice festivals (Yule > Christmas) spring fertility festivals and so on. In the middle east creation myths involving a great flood, death and resurrection and monotheism generally wasnt all that new and was familiar to some in the area already.
That contrasted with what was already in place (such as Buddhism and Confucianism) in the East Asia i think made for much less fertile breeding grounds for Christianity.
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This is pure speculation on my part since i dont consider myself an expert on East Asian culture by any means but i think the lack of pre Christian, familiar ideas also contributes. I think most Christians when confronted with it recognize much of the faith adapts or re brands already existing pagan practices in Europe that had existed centuries before. Look at pre Christian winter solstice festivals (Yule > Christmas) spring fertility festivals and so on. In the middle east creation myths involving a great flood, death and resurrection and monotheism generally wasnt all that new and was familiar to some in the area already.
That contrasted with what was already in place (such as Buddhism and Confucianism) in the East Asia i think made for much less fertile breeding grounds for Christianity.
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TenOrbital
Christianity was a clever synthesis of Hellenistic philosophy and various religious trends in the Roman empire such as the sacrificial dying-and-rising god, an afterlife, and salvation mysteries, grafted on to Judaism. It s not surprising it was popular in the Roman world given its roots in popular and intellectual culture.
It s also not surprising it struggled in India and the Far East where it lacked these cultural supports.
And as others have said, its adoption by the Roman emperors eventually led to rivals being suppressed in favour of the state religion, a benefit it lacked elsewhere.
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Christianity was a clever synthesis of Hellenistic philosophy and various religious trends in the Roman empire such as the sacrificial dying-and-rising god, an afterlife, and salvation mysteries, grafted on to Judaism. It s not surprising it was popular in the Roman world given its roots in popular and intellectual culture.
It s also not surprising it struggled in India and the Far East where it lacked these cultural supports.
And as others have said, its adoption by the Roman emperors eventually led to rivals being suppressed in favour of the state religion, a benefit it lacked elsewhere.
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loquat44-40
Christianity has always been most effectively spread by the sword. Typically powerful rulers like Charlemagne and the spanish conquistadors forced it on other peoples. Often when a powerful king like Vladimir of the Rus adopted it as a state religion, then it got adopted. In Asian countries for it to do well it needed the support of the rulers and mostly that did not happen Asia. Also the muslims had better luck converting in central asia and they did control the trade routes. In Japan the first Shogun forbid the spread of it.
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Christianity has always been most effectively spread by the sword. Typically powerful rulers like Charlemagne and the spanish conquistadors forced it on other peoples. Often when a powerful king like Vladimir of the Rus adopted it as a state religion, then it got adopted. In Asian countries for it to do well it needed the support of the rulers and mostly that did not happen Asia. Also the muslims had better luck converting in central asia and they did control the trade routes. In Japan the first Shogun forbid the spread of it.
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dylangtech
As an American Catholic who enjoys Eastern history, it's awesome and tragic learning that the YUAN of all dynasties almost evangelized China.
I still look to Japan and see paralells to Hungary just over a millennium earlier. Many people in Japan are Christian, including some leaders, but cultural traditions seem irreconcilable with the Catholic Faith. Perhaps one day, the Emperor, in his now-secular role, will do what Saint Stephen of Hungary did, and usher in a new golden age for Japan. One can only pray.
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As an American Catholic who enjoys Eastern history, it's awesome and tragic learning that the YUAN of all dynasties almost evangelized China.
I still look to Japan and see paralells to Hungary just over a millennium earlier. Many people in Japan are Christian, including some leaders, but cultural traditions seem irreconcilable with the Catholic Faith. Perhaps one day, the Emperor, in his now-secular role, will do what Saint Stephen of Hungary did, and usher in a new golden age for Japan. One can only pray.
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challalla
The video makes it sound like American Protestant missionaries brought Christianity to Korea in the 1800s, whereas Catholicism had been present there for over a century by the time they arrived (not evening mentioning the brief arrival of Catholics during the Japanese invasion in the 16th century. This is a major omission considering that more than 10, 000 Catholics were martyred in persecutions between 1791 and 1866, before any American Protestant missionary had stepped foot in Korea.
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The video makes it sound like American Protestant missionaries brought Christianity to Korea in the 1800s, whereas Catholicism had been present there for over a century by the time they arrived (not evening mentioning the brief arrival of Catholics during the Japanese invasion in the 16th century. This is a major omission considering that more than 10, 000 Catholics were martyred in persecutions between 1791 and 1866, before any American Protestant missionary had stepped foot in Korea.
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knowledgia
Christianity is essentially a set of moral principles that guide the common people on how to live their lives and the ruling class on how to govern. Asian countries already had well established religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism or governing ideologies such as Confucianism which basically have the same functions as those of Christianity in the Western civilization. Hence Christianity had no apparent advantage over other already established ideologies in Asia.
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Christianity is essentially a set of moral principles that guide the common people on how to live their lives and the ruling class on how to govern. Asian countries already had well established religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism or governing ideologies such as Confucianism which basically have the same functions as those of Christianity in the Western civilization. Hence Christianity had no apparent advantage over other already established ideologies in Asia.
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theawesomeman9821
I wouldn't say Christianity failed in Asia:
Christianity is the majority practiced faith in four Asian countries, East Timor, Solomon Islands, and the Philippines.
Minority Christian communities in Asia that exceed 10%, Lebanon, Indonesia, Syria, Burma, South Korea, and Mongolia.
Though Christians make only 2% of China and 2% of India's total population, they each on their own outnumber the rest of the Christian communities in Asia.
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I wouldn't say Christianity failed in Asia:
Christianity is the majority practiced faith in four Asian countries, East Timor, Solomon Islands, and the Philippines.
Minority Christian communities in Asia that exceed 10%, Lebanon, Indonesia, Syria, Burma, South Korea, and Mongolia.
Though Christians make only 2% of China and 2% of India's total population, they each on their own outnumber the rest of the Christian communities in Asia.
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ThenukSirimanna
Depends on the colanziers too. In Sri Lanka, we do have a significant no. of Christians making up at around 9% of the total population I think. In certain parts of the country, especially in the west coast, Christianity even makes up the majority. Most of them being catholics of course thanks to the Portuguese who focused a lot on spreading their religon while the late Dutch and British Colanziers were different in that matter
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Depends on the colanziers too. In Sri Lanka, we do have a significant no. of Christians making up at around 9% of the total population I think. In certain parts of the country, especially in the west coast, Christianity even makes up the majority. Most of them being catholics of course thanks to the Portuguese who focused a lot on spreading their religon while the late Dutch and British Colanziers were different in that matter
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knowledgia
In my readings about Philippines History is that the reason that the spanish was able to convert our ancestors is that they applied the lessons they learned from Latin America. By studying the native language and customs, they were able to spread the faith far and wide. The Proof is this is the Tagalog Doctrina Cristiana and Vocabularios de la lengua de tagala
(For the Spanish to easily earn tagalog.
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In my readings about Philippines History is that the reason that the spanish was able to convert our ancestors is that they applied the lessons they learned from Latin America. By studying the native language and customs, they were able to spread the faith far and wide. The Proof is this is the Tagalog Doctrina Cristiana and Vocabularios de la lengua de tagala
(For the Spanish to easily earn tagalog.
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hsk1512
I'm Korean and add to this. Pyongyang, capital of north korea was originally center of Korean christianity in 19 and 20c and lots of christians lived there. but North became communism country then most christians of North moved to South. Thanks to that, South had lots of Christians and First president of South, Lee was also Christian. So now one of the major religions in South become Christianity.
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I'm Korean and add to this. Pyongyang, capital of north korea was originally center of Korean christianity in 19 and 20c and lots of christians lived there. but North became communism country then most christians of North moved to South. Thanks to that, South had lots of Christians and First president of South, Lee was also Christian. So now one of the major religions in South become Christianity.
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GatDagohoy
The only reason why Philippines is majority Catholic today is because during the early 1600's, they outlawed paganism and criminalised it. In pre colonial Philippines, the natives practiced different kinds of Austronesian paganism and they're mainly based on ancestral worship where you had to pray and do different kinds of worship towards wooden statues depicting ancestral spirits (Anito.
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The only reason why Philippines is majority Catholic today is because during the early 1600's, they outlawed paganism and criminalised it. In pre colonial Philippines, the natives practiced different kinds of Austronesian paganism and they're mainly based on ancestral worship where you had to pray and do different kinds of worship towards wooden statues depicting ancestral spirits (Anito.
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ramy5455
Your input to Philippine history is partially wrong, the islands chains were dominated by muslim sultanates till the Spanish invasion and forced christinization, Manila was named Amanullah then deviated to Manilla, only moro sultanate is dominated now by muslim majority with self rule administration, the resistance to spaniards and Americans is centuries old by Moro and Mandanao people
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Your input to Philippine history is partially wrong, the islands chains were dominated by muslim sultanates till the Spanish invasion and forced christinization, Manila was named Amanullah then deviated to Manilla, only moro sultanate is dominated now by muslim majority with self rule administration, the resistance to spaniards and Americans is centuries old by Moro and Mandanao people
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Rma9929
Believing in the concept of the god of the universe that incarnated as a Middle Eastern man, and believing in the concept of salvation which based on the murder, blood and death of innocent human (Human Sacrifice, like C'mon man, i think we can do better from observing ourself and other creation and not end up believing middle eastern man as as an incarnated god.
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Believing in the concept of the god of the universe that incarnated as a Middle Eastern man, and believing in the concept of salvation which based on the murder, blood and death of innocent human (Human Sacrifice, like C'mon man, i think we can do better from observing ourself and other creation and not end up believing middle eastern man as as an incarnated god.
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fisherstrong4799
One thing that helped is the migration patterns and exiles of the northern tribes of Israel, and the people of Phoenicia being spread to the west. This happening meant that these people brought their traditions to these areas which soften their hearts to accept Christ eventually. It s amazing how gods providence works.
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One thing that helped is the migration patterns and exiles of the northern tribes of Israel, and the people of Phoenicia being spread to the west. This happening meant that these people brought their traditions to these areas which soften their hearts to accept Christ eventually. It s amazing how gods providence works.
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uyghurbirliki
Before the Mongol Period, parts of naimans, turfan uyghurs and other turks were also Nestorian Christians. There is many Christians translations and documents that had been written in uyghur script
And thy didn't you mention a Taipin Rebellion in China?
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Before the Mongol Period, parts of naimans, turfan uyghurs and other turks were also Nestorian Christians. There is many Christians translations and documents that had been written in uyghur script
And thy didn't you mention a Taipin Rebellion in China?
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OlBloke
Yeshua came for the lost sheep of Israel, the northern tribes exiled to the Caucasus, steppes & Persia. They migrated westward after overthrowing Assyria and became the nations in western Europe and the New World (the R1b1a2 people primarily in western Europe.
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Yeshua came for the lost sheep of Israel, the northern tribes exiled to the Caucasus, steppes & Persia. They migrated westward after overthrowing Assyria and became the nations in western Europe and the New World (the R1b1a2 people primarily in western Europe.
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alphatio
You talk of religion like a war invasion. Ridiculous video
by the way, buddism allows the study of other religions but it is not the other way around
this fact alone proves that despite the lack of restriction, Christianity is still not widespread.
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You talk of religion like a war invasion. Ridiculous video
by the way, buddism allows the study of other religions but it is not the other way around
this fact alone proves that despite the lack of restriction, Christianity is still not widespread.
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PlayfulPinoyGamer
Imagine having a country with large population in Whole American continent. That has a majority of Muslims (I dont know if theres country in North and South America) but thats how Filipinos felt for being the only Christian majority in Asia.
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Imagine having a country with large population in Whole American continent. That has a majority of Muslims (I dont know if theres country in North and South America) but thats how Filipinos felt for being the only Christian majority in Asia.
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P. 90. 603
The better question is why do so many Europeans believe in something that is baseless and has no proof? Buddhism doesn't even try to BS people. Even Einstein said that if there was a religion that would work with science, it would be Buddhism.
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The better question is why do so many Europeans believe in something that is baseless and has no proof? Buddhism doesn't even try to BS people. Even Einstein said that if there was a religion that would work with science, it would be Buddhism.
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