This dissertation is an attempt to analyse the changes in the public role of religion in Hong Kong society during the period of political transition from colonial rule to incorporation of Hong Kong into mainland China (1984–1998). The thesis of this dissertation is that the public roles of different religions have undergone a major restructuring during this period.; Traditional Confucianism had assumed the orthodox status of China's entire thought and practice, going back to the Han Dynasty, 206 BCE–220 CE. Since then, Confucianism has controlled the educational system and the Mandarin hierarchy in China. In Hong Kong, under British rule, the Christian churches were given jurisdiction to function within the educational and social welfare institutions, while in mainland China these social roles belonged to the Confucian hierarchy.; Even before Hong Kong was incorporated into mainland China on 1 July 1997, the public roles of the religions in Hong Kong had already undergone a democratisation process. To provide a broader context for understanding Hong Kong's religious culture, an examination was made of the historical and socio-political heritage, the Chinese religious culture, the issues of religious freedom, and the activities of the religious groups during this transitional period. Personal interviews with religious leaders in Hong Kong were conducted for this study.; In July 1997, different religious groups held meetings in response to the incorporation of Hong Kong into the People's Republic of China. Observations and analysis of those meetings were made to ascertain the responses of Christianity, Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism to the new socio-political trends.; For Taoists, Buddhists, and Confucians, Hong Kong's incorporation into mainland China was an opportunity for raising their social status. Under the cultural consideration, they gave full support for the promoting of Chinese traditional culture in Hong Kong by Tung Cheehwa, the first Chief Executive of post-colonial Hong Kong. Christian leaders, under a democratisation process of the public role of religion, sought to transform their ministry in this new socio-political functional structure in society. For the author, the prophetic ministry will be the most viable public role for Christianity in this new situation.
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