A Study On The Secularization Changes Of Religious Lifestyle In Yongshengyu Village

In the interacting process of religions and society, a basic approach for religions to adapt to the development of modern society is to secularize themselves. The paper mainly describes and analyzes the changes of religious lifestyles in Yongshengyu, a village in mid-west Inner Mongolia. The paper uses relevant theories of anthropology and sociology to deal with the first-hand fieldwork data and employs the anthropological research methodology of deep description to exhibit those changes in the past 50 years in the religious community of Yongshengyu. Based on the thick description, the paper reveals the twofold-structured characteristic of habitus in religious field and the changes of religious secularization.The traditional lifestyle of Yongshengyu village bears intense religious colors and the villagers'life concepts and behaviors are affected by Catholicism. The paper, using the research methodology of thick description, explores the traditional behaviors in the respects of religious rituals, taboo, leisure activities and festivals. By the description, the paper reveals the underlying cultural implications and symbolic significance and thus provides a profound reading of the religious life. With time going, the villagers'lifestyle has changed a great deal with reference to the traditional one. Fieldwork shows that Catholicism in Yongshengyu has become"secular"and it is characterized by many aspects, including the simplification of religious rituals, the enhancement of self-independence of those who believe in Catholicism, the entertaining trend of religious rituals and the adaptability and openness to the secular traditions and customs.The paper analyzes the changes of villagers'religious lifestyle from a new perspective of sociology, using Bourdleu's"field-habitus"theory. The changes of religious lifestyle in Yongshengyu reveal the twofold structure of habitus in religious field, that is, the preservation of basic religious ritual patterns makes it possible for religious symbols to be passed on, which indicates the enculturation of religious traditions; on the other hand, the incorporation and reform of the historical factors reflect the need of the reality. The change of habitus will undoubtedly enhance the progress of religion secularization and change the religious forms and the way the religion functions, which is a primary reason for the survival of Catholicism in Yongshengyu Village.Religions are common in the countryside of China, so it is of great significance to study the changes of religious lifestyle in countryside, especially the issue of secularization, and to explore the ways to look at the countryside religious behaviors objectively. By proper guidance, the religious beliefs can contribute to the cultural construction of the countryside.