The Identification of Transformation Tendency in Contemporary Religious Life in the Central Highlands of Vietnam

Abstract

Over the past decades, the Central Highlands has been experienced a tremendous transformation in many aspects such as ecological environment and mode of livelihood; ethnic composition and social structural organization, cultural style, religious life in particular. In the past, the Polytheistic and Animistic mentality was universal. Currently, there has been a colorful religious picture with harmony and contradiction or conflict at the same time. This text identifies five tendencies in contemporary religious life in the Central Highlands such as a decline of Polytheistic and Animistic mentality, a simplicity of traditional rites; restoration the practices of traditional culture/religions with selection; orientation and stagization; cultural/religious acculturation among ethnics with advantage of the Kinh (majority); a strong shift from Polytheism to Monotheism - expansion of Protestantism-; secularization of the main religions and schism or scramble for believers.