Tensions do pop up when Chinese Folk Religion overlaps with other faiths, mostly around rituals, sacred space and competing worldviews. For centuries, Buddhism and Daoism have blended seamlessly with local worship—temples often enshrine Buddhas, Daoist immortals and village deities under one roof. Yet, at times, “orthodox” Daoist priests have bristled at popular ritual troupes that claim purely folk origins, seeing them as diluting their lineage.

More friction shows up with Christianity. In some rural counties, Protestant house churches have actively campaigned against “idolatrous” statues in folk temples, leading to clashes over demolition of statues or refusal to host joint festivals. A few high-profile incidents in recent years made national headlines when local authorities sided with villagers defending century-old shrines, prompting Christian groups to lodge petitions against “superstitious practices.”

Islamic communities, though smaller in many regions, occasionally face disputes over land use when mosques and family-clan temples both stake claims in densely settled areas. Those conflicts tend to be more about real estate than theology, yet they underscore how sacred geography can spark tension.

State policy adds another layer. The government’s 2020 campaign to preserve intangible cultural heritage elevated certain folk rituals, but at the same time, it branded unregistered sects as “heterodox” and subject to shutdown. That dual approach—promoting temple fairs while policing unauthorized religious gatherings—creates an uneasy balance.

On the bright side, urban revival of temple festivals (like the recent Shanghai Mazu pilgrimage) shows how folk religion is being rebranded as cultural tourism rather than mere superstition. It’s reshaping the narrative, turning potential flashpoints into opportunities for shared heritage celebrations, even drawing curious Christians and Buddhists into the fold.