The Fall of Heaven - A Reassessment of the Religion of the Taiping Movement

Author: Xia Chuntao
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2006-01-01
Features: The religion of the Taiping Movement was closely related to its politics. This book effectively captures the relationship between them, not merely discussing religion in isolation, but also examining its influence on the Taiping Movement's politics, economy, culture, and foreign relations. It conducts a comprehensive study of the connection between religion and the rise and fall of the Taiping Movement, offering thorough and in-depth arguments. Therefore, the book actually goes beyond the scope indicated by its title. To some extent, it covers the main history of the Taiping Movement, reflecting its breadth and depth. This book makes a significant contribution to the in-depth study of the Taiping Movement and even to the research of modern Chinese history. The book provides a meticulous and comprehensive study of the religion of the Taiping Movement—Xia Chuntao justifiably calls it the "God Worshipping Society." It examines the process by which Hong Xiuquan established the God Worshipping Society, its doctrines, scriptures, rituals, festivals, its spread among the Taiping Army and in the, its relationship with Western Christianity and with China's traditional folk religions, and also explores the influence of the God Worshipping Society on various aspects of the Taiping Movement's ideology, as well as its connection to the rise and fall of the Taiping Movement. This approach incorporates both the positive and negative aspects of the Taiping Movement's religion into the research scope, demonstrating a broad perspective and the depth of the study.
Throughout Chinese history, there have been numerous peasant movements that rose up under the banner of religion, and the largest peasant movement in Chinese history—the Taiping Movement—was no exception. However, it became even more mysterious due to its deep ties with Christianity. The Taiping Movement began its uprising with religion and governed its army and state through religious principles. Without understanding the religion of the Taiping Movement, many aspects of it remain unclear. This book does not follow old theories or blindly accept authority; instead, it starts from historical records to delve into the name of the Taiping Movement's religion, the relationship between the God Worshipping Society and Christianity, Confucian traditional thought and culture, and China's folk religions. It conducts an in-depth exploration of the God Worshipping Society's doctrines, such as the descent of the Heavenly Father and the Heavenly Brother, to analyze the causes of events like the Tianjing Incident and the fall of the Taiping Movement. It also examines the behavior of captured figures like Li Xiuquan and the Young Emperor Hong Tianhui. Additionally, it clarifies popular misconceptions about the Taiping Movement achieving gender equality and the recent emergence of the "cult" narrative about the Taiping Movement.
Following the author's fluent writing, it feels as if the dramatic peasant movement from 150 years ago is unfolding right before your eyes.