Religion, Secularism, and Love as a Political Discourse in Modern China

What is the meaning of love in modern Chinese politics? Why has ai . (love) been a crucial political discourse for secular nationalism for generations of political leaders as a powerful instrument to the present day? This book offers the first systematic examination of the ways in which the notion of love has been introduced, adapted, and engineered as a political discourse for the building and rebuilding of a secular modern nation, all the while appropriating Confucianism, Christianity, popular religion, ghost stories, political religion, and their religious affects. The insights of this exploration expand not only the discussion of the role of emotions in the project of Chinese modernity, but also the study of affective governance and religious nationalisms around the world today.

GUO Ting is currently Assistant Professor of Cultural and Religious Studies, Chinese University of Hong Kong and book reviewer editor for the Journal of the American Academy of Religion. Her previous publications include ＂Politics of love: Love as a religious and political discourse in modern China through the lens of political leaders.＂ Critical Research on Religion (2019), https: //doi.org/10.1177/2050303219874366, ＂Beyond Sing Hallelujah to the Lord: Diffused Religion and Religious Co-Optations through Hong Kong.＂ Journal of the American Academy of Religion (2023), https: //doi.org/10.1093/jaarel/lfad006, ＂Diffusion, Polyphony, and Diversity: An Introduction to Religion, Politics, and Identity in Hong Kong since 2014＂ https: //doi.org/10.1215/00219118-11235456 and ＂ ’Gods Feast on Holy Smoke, Not.Tear.Gas!’ Religious Diffusion, Infrapolitics, and Identity Formation in Hong Kong＂ ), https: //doi.org/10.1215/00219118-11043649, Journal of Asian Studies (2024), part of a special issue on religion, identity, and social movements in Hong Kong that she co-edited. She co-hosts a podcast called @shichapodcat (in-betweeness ..).