The Fall of Heaven's Kingdom (A Reassessment of the Religion of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom)

Author: Xia Chuntao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: The religion of the Taiping Movement is closely related to its politics. This book effectively captures the relationship between them, not merely discussing religion in isolation, but also exploring its impact on the Taiping Movement's politics, economy, culture, and foreign relations. It conducts a comprehensive and in-depth study of the connection between religion and the rise and fall of the Taiping Movement. Therefore, the book actually extends beyond the scope indicated by its title. To some extent, it covers the main history of the Taiping Movement, reflecting the breadth and depth of the work. 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 thorough examination of the religion of the Taiping Movement—Xia Chuntao justifiably calls it "God Worshipping Cult." It investigates the process by which Hong Xiuquan established the God Worshipping Cult, its doctrines, scriptures, rituals, festivals, its spread among the Taiping Army and in the civilian population, its relationship with Western Christianity and with traditional Chinese folk religions. It also studies the influence of the God Worshipping Cult on various aspects of the Taiping Movement's ideology and its connection with the rise and fall of the Taiping Movement. This approach encompasses both the positive and negative aspects of the Taiping Movement's religion, demonstrating a broad perspective and the depth of research.
The religion of the Taiping Movement is closely related to its politics. This book effectively captures the relationship between them, not merely discussing religion in isolation, but also exploring its impact on the Taiping Movement's politics, economy, culture, and foreign relations. It conducts a comprehensive and in-depth study of the connection between religion and the rise and fall of the Taiping Movement. Therefore, the book actually extends beyond the scope indicated by its title. To some extent, it covers the main history of the Taiping Movement, reflecting the breadth and depth of the work. 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 thorough examination of the religion of the Taiping Movement—Xia Chuntao justifiably calls it "God Worshipping Cult." It investigates the process by which Hong Xiuquan established the God Worshipping Cult, its doctrines, scriptures, rituals, festivals, its spread among the Taiping Army and in the civilian population, its relationship with Western Christianity and with traditional Chinese folk religions. It also studies the influence of the God Worshipping Cult on various aspects of the Taiping Movement's ideology and its connection with the rise and fall of the Taiping Movement. This approach encompasses both the positive and negative aspects of the Taiping Movement's religion, demonstrating a broad perspective and the depth of research.