美国传教士对中国文化态度的演变(1830—1932)

Changes in American Missionaries' Attitudes toward Chinese Culture(1830-1932)

19世纪,绝大多数传教士对中国文化抱着毫不妥协的态度,企图用基督教文明取代中国本土的信仰、伦理和价值观,即对中国进行文化征服。从20世纪初期开始,在理性主义、民族主义的冲击和一战的影响下,主流的传教团体开始倡导文化合作,提出基督教与其他宗教携手"共同追求真理",以及借鉴中国文化遗产以补充和丰富基督教传统的重要思想,对中国文化表现出高度的尊重与欣赏。这种思想改变了传教运动的面貌。

In the 19th century,most missionaries in China held an uncompromising stance with regard to Chinese culture,intending to replace local beliefs,ethics and values with Christian civilization,i.e.to make a cultural conquest of China.However,from the early 20th century on,under the impact of the conflict of rationalism and nationalism and of World War I,mainstream missionary organizations began to promote cultural cooperation and show a deep respect for and appreciation of Chinese culture.They put forward a series of important ideas,including the idea that Christianity should work together with other religions 'in joint pursuit of the truth' and that the Chinese cultural heritage should be used to complement and enrich Christian tradition.This intellectual change transformed the missionary movement.