Why did Christianity Fail in Asia while Succeeding in Europe?
Knowledgia・2 minutes read
Christianity, the largest global religion with over 2 billion followers, spread from Judea to countries like China, facing challenges but flourishing under Mongol rule. Despite historical fluctuations, Christianity in China had an estimated 20 million followers in 2018, forming around 2% of the population.
Insights
- Nestorian Christians played a pivotal role in introducing Christianity to China during the Tang Dynasty, with Alopen's missionary efforts marking the beginning of a long-standing presence in the region, despite initial resistance from local belief systems.
- The spread of Christianity in East Asia, including China, Taiwan, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and the Philippines, has been influenced by historical contexts and the presence of competing religions, showcasing a diverse landscape with varied levels of success and challenges for the faith's expansion in the region.
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How many followers does Christianity have worldwide?
Over 2 billion followers globally.
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Summary
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Christianity's Spread and Persistence in East Asia
- Christianity is the largest religion globally, with over 2 billion followers from various countries, including the United States and North Korea.
- Originating in Judea, Christianity spread through the Levant countries like Israel, Palestine, and Syria, eventually reaching Asia through Antioch.
- Nestorian Christians moved from Iraq to China, with the first known contact during the Tang Dynasty in the 7th to 10th centuries.
- A priest named Alopen established early Christian missions in China in 635 AD, facing resistance from local Buddhists and Daoists.
- Christianity in China flourished under Mongol rule, with efforts by missionaries like John of Monte Corvino to expand the faith and translate the Bible.
- Despite fluctuations, Christianity in China persisted over the centuries, with an estimated 20 million Christian adults in 2018, forming around 2% of the population.
- Christianity also spread to other East Asian countries like Taiwan, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and the Philippines, with varying levels of success and challenges due to factors like competing religions and historical contexts.
