本文主要探討十九世紀臺灣基督教徒所面對的社會處境,分析教案及戰爭等衝突中基督徒的社會遭遇,及其面對困境時的態度與採取的反應。文中將討論清領時期臺灣在幾次的對外戰爭中,基督徒為何經常被指控通敵?為何成為群眾發洩和攻擊的目標?進而說明當社會發生危機或傳統秩序遭到破壞時,基督徒被當成「替罪羊」的社會遭遇。本文將基督徒處境放置在地方社會運作的架構中來討論,說明地方的宗教組織與士紳階級是相連的,外來的基督教不只在信仰上隔離傳統宗教,同時它的運作也獨立於地方社會與村廟連結的體系。由此解釋欲離開既有社會掌控的「改宗者」出現時,社會群體如何解決這個危機或穩定原有秩序。
This study investigates the social situation faced by Taiwanese Christians in the 19th century, and analyzes the experiences of Christians during religious and war conflicts, as well as their attitude and responses when facing difficulties. This study discusses the reasons that Christians were frequently accused of collaboration with enemies during several external wars in the Qing Dynasty in Taiwan, and that they became the targets, condemned and attacked, in order to further demonstrate how Christians were regarded as "Le Bouc emissaire" as social crises took place or traditional orders were damaged.