Chinese universities alarmed by rise of proselytization on campus (3)

Warranted concern or paranoia

"We are not saying that students can't be religious; I do see positive effects of religion on some people," said Zuo. "But it's the forces behind the proselytizing activities we are worried about."

Scholars like Zuo and Xi are concerned that the West might use Christianity as a tool to influence China.

In a 2003 book Jesus in Beijing, author and journalist David Aikman wrote that China's democratization would happen when "the Chinese dragon is tamed by the power of the Christian Lamb."

Yang is less worried about the situation. "Young people today aren't that easily fooled, and they are especially resistant toward ideas that are being forced on them," he said.

Many surveys have also found that college students are increasingly interested in diverse religions. The Cultural Revolution (1966-76) crushed virtually all religious belief in China. After the reform and opening-up, religions of all kinds have rebounded and have been growing steadily as economic development has left a spiritual void for many people, said Yang.

Yang's research in 2001 and 2008 showed that religion isn't growing as fast as some might fear. He said that as society becomes more open and different information becomes more accessible, the young generation is not attached to any single idealized vision as in the past.

Yang also pointed out that only having a Marxist and atheist basis for education on campus is not good enough. "The classes are often boring, and they often equate religion to superstition, which isn't helping," he said.

The government also seems to be on guard too. In 2011, the authorities issued a notice warning against proselytization on campus and overseas forces using religion to infiltrate colleges for political purposes.

Despite these rather vague measures, universities have sought to take them in stride. They have worked out specific measures including tightening scrutiny on overseas grants, stricter approval procedures for student activities, and educating foreign teachers as to China's religious regulations.

Nevertheless, although the concerns of Marxist scholars have been acknowledged, it seems that for now the religious activities of students at authorized churches will not be affected.

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