Locational Practices of Christianity in Minority Areas of Southwest China

After Christianity entered minority areas of southwest China in modern times, it has spread rapidly in local areas. The belief propagation depends not only on endogenous power but also external mechanisms. First of all, the material needs asked for by ethnic minorities in the southwest are lacking, on the other hand, their spiritual sustenance is difficult to meet as well. What’s more, multiple confrontations have contributed to violent ethnic conflicts between local political forces. Furthermore, the disorder and looseness of minority cultures cannot effectively resist the powerful foreign cultural system, which has created a stronger economic, political and cultural conditions for the introduction of Christianity. The Christian missionaries localized and indigenized their preaching methods by substituting Christian cultural elements for those of the receiving region. Moreover, the Christian missionaries define and reassign their identity with the Savior for spreading more rapidly. Missionary objectives are carried out in a way popular with the local people. They have improved the local living conditions and brought advanced concepts and laws, as well as modern education and health care to local areas. However, the excessive cultural penetration has seriously affected the local ethnic identity and culture.