Introduction
East Asia presents a unique religious landscape, with some of the highest rates of religious disaffiliation globally. Despite a significant proportion of the population identifying as non-religious, spiritual practices and beliefs continue to play a crucial role in daily life across the region. A recent survey by Pew Research Center provides an in-depth look at these dynamics, highlighting a complex interplay between religious identification and spiritual practices.
Survey Overview
Pew Research Center conducted a comprehensive survey over four months, engaging over 10,000 adults across Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The findings reveal that significant portions of the population in these areas identify as having “no religion,” with figures ranging from 27% in Taiwan to 61% in Hong Kong.
Religious Affiliation and Spiritual Beliefs
Despite high rates of religious disaffiliation, spiritual beliefs remain prevalent. Among those who do not identify with any religion, around 40% still believe in God or other unseen beings. Notably, about a quarter of respondents in the region attribute spiritual significance to natural elements such as mountains and rivers, while over half regularly make offerings to deceased ancestors.
“When assessing religion by beliefs and practices rather than formal affiliation, East Asia appears more religiously vibrant than it might initially seem,” the report notes.
Religious Mobility and Disaffiliation
The survey also reveals notable fluidity in religious identities. In Hong Kong and South Korea, approximately 53% of adults have altered their religious affiliations since childhood. This high level of religious mobility contrasts with Western Europe, where rates of religious disaffiliation are lower. In Hong Kong and South Korea, 37% and 35% of adults, respectively, no longer identify with the religion in which they were raised. These figures surpass those from several Western European countries, including Norway (30%), the Netherlands (29%), and Belgium (28%).
Jonathan Evans, senior researcher at Pew and lead author of the report, remarks, “While Western Europe’s secularization is widely discussed, the significant religious shifts occurring in East Asia are less commonly noted. It’s intriguing to see how East Asia’s religious dynamics contribute to a broader global perspective.”
Attitudes Toward Proselytism
Attitudes toward proselytism vary across East Asia. In Japan (83%) and South Korea (77%), most adults view efforts to persuade others to join a religion as unacceptable. Conversely, views in Taiwan and Vietnam are more divided, and a majority in Hong Kong (67%) find proselytism acceptable.
Cultural and Linguistic Challenges
The Pew Research team encountered cultural and linguistic challenges during data collection. The concept of “religion” in East Asia, having been introduced relatively recently, is often understood through a Western lens. Traditional translations of “religion” may imply organized, hierarchical forms like Christianity, leading to results that may not fully capture the region’s diverse spiritual practices. To address this, Pew adapted its survey questions to better reflect common beliefs and practices in Asian societies.
Significant Findings
In Taiwan, only 11% of adults consider religion very important, while 87% believe in karma. Furthermore, 34% report practicing meditation, and 36% have experienced visits from the spirits of ancestors. Similarly, 92% of religiously unaffiliated Vietnamese adults have made offerings to ancestors in the past year. The survey highlights that despite identifying as non-religious, many individuals engage in spiritual practices and hold beliefs in unseen beings.
Conclusion
East Asia’s religious landscape is characterized by high levels of disaffiliation alongside persistent spiritual practices. The Pew Research Center’s survey reveals a region where traditional beliefs and rituals remain integral to personal and cultural identities, even as formal religious affiliations decline.
FAQ
Q: What did the Pew Research Center survey reveal about religious affiliation in East Asia? A: The survey found that East Asia has some of the highest rates of religious disaffiliation globally, with significant portions of the population identifying as having “no religion.”
Q: How do spiritual beliefs persist among the religiously unaffiliated in East Asia? A: Many individuals who do not identify with a formal religion still believe in deities or unseen beings, and engage in practices such as making offerings to ancestors.
Q: What is the level of religious mobility in East Asia? A: The survey indicates high levels of religious mobility, with around 53% of adults in Hong Kong and South Korea having changed their religious affiliation since childhood.
Q: How do attitudes toward proselytism vary across East Asia? A: Attitudes vary widely; most adults in Japan and South Korea view proselytism as unacceptable, while views in Taiwan and Vietnam are more divided, and a majority in Hong Kong find it acceptable.
Q: What challenges did Pew Research face during the survey? A: Pew faced challenges due to the recent introduction of the concept of “religion” in East Asia and the often Western-centric understanding of the term. They adapted their questions to better reflect local beliefs and practices.
