民间宗教的语言与城镇化农村治理——以妈祖信仰为例

The Language of Folk Religion and the Governance of Urbanization of Rural Area:a Case from Mazu' Belief

民间宗教的语言主要通过它的符号系统来表达。在城镇化农村中,民间宗教的符号系统构建了一套隐性的、非正式的公民参与公共事务的治理体系。这一体系为农民向市民转变提供了一个良好的平台,对促进村民自治制度的完善,对城镇化农村的发展稳定,对丰富人们的精神生活都起着重要作用。当然它的过度发展则容易形成特定利益集团,可能控制村民精神,对城镇化农村的正式权威产生挑战,从而影响农村稳定。妈祖信仰就是一个典型的例子。正确处理民间宗教的语言与城镇化农村治理之间的关系,不仅有利于农民公民意识的培养,还有利于农村的和谐治理。

The language of folk religion is always expressed through symbol system. In urbanization of rural area, the symbol system of folk religion builds an implicit, informal governance system for citizens to participate public affairs. The system provides a good platform for peasants to transform themselves into citizens, and it is also helpful to perfect the system of villagers autonomy and to enrich people＇s spirit life. It is also beneficial for the development and stabilization of the urbanization of rural area. Certainly the symbol system of folk religion can generate some harmful effects such as forming special interest groups, controlling human＇s spirit, challenging formal authority as well. Mazu＇ belief is a classic case. Therefore how to balance language of folk religion and the goverance of urbanization of rural area is an art; if we do well, it will benefit not only the cultivation of citizen consciousness, but the harmonious governance of urbanization of rural area.