The Effect Of Socio-Religious Subcultures On Political Behavior: The Political Influence Of The Catholic Church In Hong Kong

This paper seeks to examine the political influence of the Catholic Church in Hong Kong. Drawing the theory of religious influence formulated by Paul Djupe and Christopher Gilbert, this paper investigates how the church facilitates the development of socio-religious subcultures – collections of individuals who form attachments that persist inside and outside formal church structures. Membership in these subculture units opens up organizational channels that transmit political information, resulting in numerous salient conduits for political influence within a congregation. This study uses both survey and interview as research methods for a full test of the effects of the Catholic Church on the political behavior of their members. The research findings will provide a better understanding of how voluntary associations expose individuals to political information and norms, and how public opinion is formed and why people participate in politics.