The Hong Kong Protests and Political Theology

by Kwok Pui-lan (Editor), Francis Ching-Wah Yip (Editor)

Overview

The Hong Kong protests that began in the second half of 2019 captured the world’s attention as demonstrations against an extradition bill grew into a larger civil liberties movement. While protests began as peaceful demonstrations, the disproportionate police force with which the government responded escalated the situation to an international crisis.
Kwok Pui-lan and Francis Ching-wah Yip bring together an international cohort to discuss the relation between Christianity and Communism and the neoliberal economy, as well as civil disobedience, religion and social movements, and the roles of the churches in social conflict. This interdisciplinary volume showcases theological reflections by many scholars and activists in Hong Kong.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538148723
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	02/08/2021
Series:	Religion in the Modern World
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	260
File size:	763 KB

About the Author

KWOK Pui-lan is Dean’s Professor of Systematic Theology at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. She is a past president of the American Academy of Religion.

Francis Ching-wah YIP is associate professor and director of the Divinity School of Chung Chi College at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

Note on Chinese Names ix

Introduction Kwok Pui-lan 1

Part 1 Overview of the Hong Kong Protests 13

1 A Critical Review of Events during the Hong Kong Protests of 2019 Ben Siu-pun Ho 15

2 From Crony to Authoritarian Capitalism: Structural Problems Underlying the Hong Kong Protests Alex Hon-ho Ip 39

3 "If Not Us, Who?": Youth Participation and Salient Aspects of the Protests Hung Shin-fung 55

4 Understanding the Use of Violence in the Hong Kong Protests Lai Tsz-him 75

Part II Theological Reflections On The Hong Kong Protests 91

5 Biblical Allusions on the Hong Kong Protests Philip P. Chia 93

6 "For Our Struggle Is Not Against Flesh and Blood": The Demonic in Hong Kong Francis Ching-wah Yip 109

7 Hong Kong "Freedom Cunt": Sexual Violence and Crucifixion Jessica Hiu-tung Tso 117

8 Crucified People, Messianic Time, and Youth in Protest Kung Lap-yan 133

9 Is Dialogue in the Church Still Feasible after the Hong Kong Protests? Albert Sui-hung Lee 149

Part III Global Perspectives 169

10 When the Minjung Events Erupt: Protests from Korea to Hong Kong Nami Kim 171

11 When the Stones Cry Out in Palestine: Protesting Empire Mitri Raheb 183

12 Armenia, Hong Kong, and Political Change Tamar Wasoian 195

13 Hong Kong and Ireland: Protests and Post/colonies Stephen D. Moore 207

14 The Power of Nonviolent Direct Action Sharon D. Welch 217

Suggested Further Reading 233

Index 243

About the Contributors 247

Editorial Reviews

A fine example of contextual theology in Asia 2.0 enhanced by postcolonial thinking. A must-read for everybody interested in political theology in intercultural perspective.

Volker Küster

This book represents public theology at its best. It dispels once and for all the myth that theology is an academic exercise done in an ivory tower, and it invites theologians to defend democracy and the freedom of speech.

Peter C. Phan

As part of the series Religion in the Modern World, The Hong Kong Protests and Political Theology edited by Kwok Pui-Lan and Francis Ching-Wah Yip focuses on a particular case of the 2019 Hong Kong protests, which serves as a crack through which one can glimpse many issues and fault lines existent in modern Hong Kong’s religious and political lives…. [T]his collection of thought-provoking essays is the product of an outstanding collaborative work between scholars and activists, Hongkongers and non-Hongkongers. Some chapters can be useful resources for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students. Also, the suggested further readings on Hong Kong politics at the end of the volume is immensely helpful for those who want to study more on this topic.

Reading Religion

Political theology is always a living theology attached to particular life experiences. This volume has contributed to a vital political theology developed from the struggles of all types of people in Hong Kong through their life and death witness. It’s challenging and full of inspiration. 

Huang Po Ho

Two distinguished theologians, Kwok Pui-Lan and Francis Ching-wah Yip, give due tribute to the resilience of Hongkongers and the endurance yet precarity of their protests. In collaboration with home and international interlocutors, The Hong Kong Protests and Political Theology is activism in print, in the proud tradition of liberation theologies.

Sharon A. Bong

A fine example of contextual theology in Asia 2.0 enhanced by postcolonial thinking. A must-read for everybody interested in political theology in intercultural perspective.

Volker Küster