Is Green the New Red? The Role of Religion in Creating a Sustainable China

Abstract

The Chinese Daoist Assocation has embarked upon an ambitious agenda to promote Daoism as China’s “green religion.” This new construction of “green Daoism” differs, however, from both traditional Chinese and modern Western interpretations of the affinity between Daoism and nature. In promoting Daoism as a green religion, the Chinese Daoist Association is not aiming to restore some mythical utopia of humans living in harmony with nature, so much as supporting a nationalist agenda of patriotism and scientific development. At the same time, this agenda will deliver postive benefits in the form of protecting the local environments around important sacred sites that are located in areas of outstanding natural beauty.