- P-ISSN 3022-0335
- E-ISSN 3058-2105
With the periodic regime changes, China has experienced various phenomena of the coexistence of “theism” and “atheism” after long-standing debates. Under the belief that “God exists” with his mystical experiences, Hong Xiuquan studied Eastern and Western religions and finally set off “the practice of Islam and Manichaeism in the external form of Christianity.” Combining “the East Asian native culture of Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, witchcraft, and medicine with the confrontation between the Manchu and Han regimes,” the Taiping Rebellion transpired. Through the comparison between “the cognitive similarities and differences found in religious experiences,” this article examines Hong Xiuquan’ principle of different stages of theotheism, re-examines the great significance of religion in promoting historical change from a new perspective of life practice, and answers questions such as whether his belief and religious experience really existed, and whether there were multiple religious foundations for the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Movement.