The academic study of religion has grown remarkably in China over the past three decades. Religious research was nonexistent during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), yet today numerous religion scholars at many different schools throughout China in a range of disciplines. Furthermore, today’s scholars have moved beyond the discipline’s critical Marxist roots and work to approach the subject objectively, as an aspect of culture.
However, true objectivity is impossible when it comes to studying social phenomena such as religion. Since academics studying religion help shape the national dialogue on the topic, it is important to understand their own views and opinions of religion. This paper takes a step towards that goal by interviewing and surveying academics -- professors, researchers, and graduate students -- at two well-respected programs of religious studies in mainland China. On the whole, these scholars began studying religion out of personal interest, and though they do have various biases toward different religions, when it comes to their topic of interest, they tend to view it objectively, as a form of culture. When compared to people who do not study religion, they are far more likely to view religion sympathetically and to identify its positive qualities. In short, the Chinese academic world’s perceptions of religion and approaches to studying have changed drastically over the last thirty years but are still, nonetheless, in the process of developing.