在與世俗權力糾葛的過程中，中國民間的信仰實踐往往呈現為兩種文本的信仰表達形式。顯在的信仰文本處於權力的監控之中，更多地是一種社會性的信仰表達，除了呈現為以經濟發展為中心的地方利益，地方信仰的實踐本身也是村落的“人格”在信仰世界中的具象表徵。相比之下，民間信仰實踐的隱藏文本則更多地體現為一種情感性的信仰表達，在性質上是對地方社會傳統信仰結構的延續。實踐中的中國民間信仰是一種權力的建構性與信仰的意志性相形而生的概念，地方信仰的“真實”並不是臣服於世俗權力的建構形態，而是一種脫離於權力意志和具有獨立運作邏輯的精神世界。

During the process of its interaction with secular power, Chinese folk belief practice often presents two expression forms. Explicit faith, which is in the monitor of power, is more about social faith expression. In addition to presentation of local interests centered on economic development, local faith practice itself is also the village’s personality represented in the faith world. By contrast, implicit faith of folk belief practice, which is a continuation of traditional belief structure of local society, represents an emotional faith expression. Chinese practical folk belief is the concept which was formed on the construction of power and will of faith, while local faith authenticity is not subject to the structure of secular power, but is a spiritual world which is isolated from power will and has independent operation logic.