Yang Fenggang

Yang Fenggang is a prominent sociologist and scholar of religion, currently serving as a professor of sociology and founding Director of the Center on Religion and Chinese Society at Purdue University. His research focuses primarily on religious change in China and immigrant religions in the United States. Yang is widely recognized for developing the theory of a "triple religious market" in China, which examines the dynamics between legal (red), illegal (black), and ambiguous (gray) religious spaces under restrictive political systems. His influential works include "Religion in China: Survival and Revival under Communist Rule" (2012) and "Atlas of Religion in China: Social and Geographical Contexts" (2018). Throughout his career, Yang has conducted extensive empirical studies on Christianity in China, contributing significantly to the understanding of how religions adapt and grow under authoritarian regimes. His research methodology and theoretical frameworks have influenced scholars studying religion in other parts of Asia and in post-communist societies. Yang's expertise has led to his appointment to various academic leadership positions, including serving as the president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (2014-15). His work bridges multiple disciplines, including sociology, religious studies, and Chinese studies.

There appear to be limited public reader reviews available for Yang Fenggang's academic works on religion in China. His books like "Religion in China: Survival and Revival under Communist Rule" and "Atlas of Religion in China" are primarily reviewed in academic journals rather than consumer review platforms. Readers note his clear presentation of data and research on religious demographics and policies in China. Several reviews highlight his systematic approach to mapping religious sites and documenting religious activity. The main criticism in available reviews relates to methodology questions around his projections of Christian growth in China, with some readers finding the estimates speculative. Review Data: Amazon: "Religion in China" - 4.5/5 (6 ratings) Goodreads: No ratings/reviews available Google Books: Insufficient review data The limited public reviews suggest his works are read primarily by scholars and researchers rather than general audiences, making it difficult to gauge broader reader reception.

Religion in China: Survival and Revival under Communist Rule Examines how religion has survived and evolved in China from 1949 to the present, analyzing the complex interaction between the Chinese state and various religious groups.

Atlas of Religion in China: Social and Geographical Contexts Maps and analyzes the geographic distribution of China's major religious groups, including Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, and folk religions.

The Chinese Communist Party's Capacity to Rule: Ideology, Legitimacy and Party Cohesion Analyzes the Chinese Communist Party's strategies for maintaining power through religious policy, ideology, and social control mechanisms.

Religion in Chinese Society Studies the role of religious beliefs and practices in contemporary Chinese society, including both traditional Chinese religions and newer religious movements.

Chinese Christians in America: Conversion, Assimilation, and Adhesive Identities Documents the experiences of Chinese Christian immigrants in the United States and their integration into American religious and social life.