This collection of essays investigates the fundamental tension between Marxist ideology and the practice of religion in contemporary China. Edited by Julian F. Pas, the volume compiles research from an international group of scholars to evaluate how religious institutions and individual beliefs navigate the constraints of a state-sanctioned secular framework. The contributors utilize historical context and sociological observation to analyze the resilience and adaptation of various faith traditions within the Chinese political landscape.

Experts recognize this volume as a significant academic resource for understanding the complexities of religious life in late 20th-century China. Readers frequently note the scholarly density of the prose and the value of the diverse perspectives provided by the contributing authors.