Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

submittedVersion

Publication Date

10-2019

Abstract

This paper explores the negotiations involved in the process of Chinesemigrants converting to Christianity in Singapore. For many Chinesepeople, migration involves being exposed to religion for the first time,and for some, it involves them converting to Christianity. In Singapore,the conversion of Chinese migrants to Christianity occurs in a context of‘shared’ Chinese ethnicity, which can provide both bridges and barriersto the formation of Chinese Christian identities and communities. This‘shared’ ethnicity causes many Christian groups in Singapore to targetChinese migrants in their evangelisation efforts, which can result inmigrant and non-migrant Chinese communities being formed andfractured through religion. Drawing on qualitative data, four dialecticalpairings – freedom and control, giving and receiving, questioning andauthority, community and identity – are used to understand thenegotiations and compromises involved in the conversion of Chinesemigrants to Christianity. Through these understandings, we show howconversion often involves reconciling different mindsets, practices andexpectations in the transition to Chinese Christian.

Keywords

Migration, Conversion, Christianity, Singapore, China, Community

Discipline

Asian Studies | Sociology of Culture

Research Areas

Sociology

Publication

Asian Studies Review

First Page

1

Last Page

19

ISSN

1035-7823

Identifier

10.1080/10357823.2019.1674778

Publisher

Taylor & Francis (Routledge): SSH Titles / Wiley: No OnlineOpen

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1080/10357823.2019.1674778

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