China’s Managed Belief: Sinicization and Screens

Episode Narrative

In the twilight of the Cold War, the world stood on the brink of monumental change. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 signaled not just the end of an era but unleashed a cascade of events that reshaped nations, identities, and beliefs across the globe. Among the most profound shifts occurred in the realm of religion, where the sacred and the state began a dance of alliance and confrontation that would reverberate through the coming decades. This era witnessed the resurgence of faith, a reawakening that sparked a passionate discourse about belonging, identity, and power.

In Russia, the fall of the iron curtain saw the Russian Orthodox Church reclaim its prominent place in the societal landscape. Once suppressed under the weight of atheism and state control, the church emerged from the shadows, becoming not only a spiritual beacon for millions but an influential player in state politics. It stood as a pillar of traditional values, often framing itself as a bulwark against the encroachment of Western secularism and liberalism. This intertwining of faith and power gave rise to a new narrative, where the church positioned itself as a defender of the Russian soul, a role that aligned seamlessly with the emerging nationalist agenda fostered by the Kremlin.

Simultaneously, the 1990s saw a revival of Islam in the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union. In regions where centuries-old Muslim identities had been suppressed, communities began to seek out their spiritual heritage. This was not a simple reclamation; it was a complex process marked by political struggle and social upheaval. Amid shifting allegiances and the consolidation of federal powers, Muslim groups faced significant hurdles, contending with a state that sought to control their resurgence. Here, in this transformed landscape, the resurgence of faith was not just about religion; it was deeply tied to questions of identity and sovereignty.

Across Central Asia, particularly in Kyrgyzstan, the legacy of forced secularization lingered like a shadow. Although traditional Islamic practices persisted, many had taken on a cultural rather than strictly religious form. This duality reflected a volatile landscape where the remnants of Soviet policies still influenced religious expression and national identity. People sought to rediscover their roots, yet often within the constraints imposed by the state, which monitored and shaped religious practices to fit its agenda.

The challenges of managing belief extended beyond Russian and Central Asian borders. In the realm of religious policy in China, significant transformations unfolded. Following the collapse of the USSR, a tightening grip on religious practice emerged. "Sinicization," as it became known, was a state-driven initiative designed to align all religious expressions with the Chinese Communist Party's socio-political fabric. This included the increasingly stringent surveillance and repression of religious groups, notably Tibetan Buddhism, Uyghur Islam, and Falun Gong, with digital technology increasingly employed to police adherence to state-defined norms of belief.

The interplay of global dynamics shifted dramatically post-2014, as Russia's annexation of Crimea catalyzed a wave of religious persecution across the region. Religious pluralism began to erode, with documented violations of freedom for various faith groups, particularly impacting Ukrainian religious activists. Reports revealed systematic efforts to suppress all forms of worship that deviated from a mandated orthodoxy. In this crucible of conflict, the pressing question loomed large: who truly has the authority to define faith in a time of political strife? This episode starkly showcased the destructive power of intertwining state politics with religious affiliations, leading to the persecution of those who dared to dissent.

Following this dark chapter, in 2017, the Russian government escalated its campaign against non-traditional religious groups by banning Jehovah’s Witnesses. Labeled as "harmful sectarians," they were thrust into the spotlight of a broader narrative — one where state control perceived differences in belief as threats. This reflects a broader trend of the securitization of faith as many governments around the world increasingly sought to control religious expressions that did not conform to state-sanctioned doctrines.

As political tensions simmered, the Russian Orthodox Church's influence grew. Its conservative crusade, especially prominent in 2018, revealed deep historical connections to Soviet-era secret services. The clergy often found themselves in complicated relationships with state security agencies, reinforcing state ideology rather than acting as pure moral arbiters. The church's placement as a moral norm entrepreneur also saw it align with conservative political forces globally, particularly in discussions surrounding crucial social issues such as abortion and LGBTQ rights.

In the backdrop of these developments, the church's role fostered a schism within the Orthodox Christian world itself. In 2019, the Ecumenical Patriarchate recognized the autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a moment that ignited significant controversy and discord. It represented not merely a disagreement over theological matters but rather a reflection of the geopolitical tug-of-war between Russia and Ukraine, wherein religious authority became a pawn in a larger game of national identity and power.

2020 came with its own wave of dissent as Belarusian churches took a stand during political protests against the repressive regime following the presidential election. Here lay a stark contrast to the carefully curated image of the church as merely state-loyal. Instead, religious leaders and communities became visible figures in a broader struggle for justice and truth. This marked a crucial moment where religion visibly intersected with social justice, challenging the narrative of unwavering state loyalty.

As we journey through the years from 2021 onward, the intertwining of belief and state power did not cease, nor did the challenges faced by minority faiths. Migrant Muslim communities in South Korea and Japan found themselves subject to what has been termed the "Societal Banopticon." This phenomenon represented the informal surveillance and exclusion that came with being visibly religious in non-Muslim-majority countries, drawing a stark image of how globalization can trigger social stigmatization rather than promote acceptance.

In this ongoing saga of faith and politics, the Russian Orthodox Church has remained a vocal supporter of Russia's militaristic ventures, particularly regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. Through the propagation of the "Russian World" ideology, religious nationalism merged with imperial ambitions. The church positioned itself as an agent of the state, leading to heightened critiques from theologians around the globe who opposed this unsettling blend of faith and militarism.

Reflecting on the period from 1991 to 2025 reveals a landscape profoundly shaped by fluctuating power dynamics, with religious faith acting both as a source of strength and a tool of repression. The legacies of these years will continue to echo, a reminder that faith cannot be simplistically divided into the sacred and the profane, nor can it exist devoid of the intricate politics that so heavily influence human lives.

As we ponder the ongoing chapter of China's managed belief, we are compelled to question the broader implications of this complex interplay of power, identity, and faith. What does it mean to believe in a world where the very essence of faith can be monitored, constrained, and manipulated? In the end, as histories unfold and new narratives emerge, the fundamental quest for spiritual autonomy and genuine belief remains a tapestry woven from both hope and struggle, a journey that reveals the heart of what it means to be human in an era where belief is as much about resistance as it is about faith itself.