Eliminating Demons in China: Exploring the Demonology of the Taiping Rebellion and its Justification of Violence

This paper explores how the Taiping Rebellion (1851-1864), a movement inspired by Protestantism, developed a demonology to dehumanize its targets of violence. Analyzing the Taiping documents, it examines three demon categories in Taiping theology: the Devil and his followers, humans deemed demons for violating Taiping rules, and the Manchu Qing government. Special attention is given to two key issues: perfect humanity and ethnicity within the Taiping theology. Regarding perfect humanity, the Taiping ideology made a dichotomous distinction between humans and demons, considering humans as children of God and inherently perfect. However, transgression against divine commands led to individuals being categorized as demons and subject to punishment. Ethnicity played a significant role in the demonization process, with the Taipings drawing a strict line between Han Chinese and the Manchus. Han Chinese deemed as demons were seen as potentially redeemable, while the Manchus were demonized from their very origins.