Page 36 - Malaysia by John Russel Denyes

Mohammedanism There are nearly forty million
Mohammedans in Malaysia.
Their faith, however, is greatly influenced by their
history. In the beginning they were animists.
Then they became Buddhists. This was super-
ceded by centuries of Hinduism. And lastly they
were won over to Mohammedanism, not through
conviction, but through conquest. The govern-
ment requires all to register under some religious
classification, and naturally the vast majority
register as Mohammedans. Most of them keep
up some of the forms of Islam, but in reality they
have only increased the number of super-sensual
beings to whom they pray. Trees, rocks, fields,
villages, all have their patron spirits. Diseases
are attributed to spirits, which must be propi-
tiated. Offerings are made to scripture charac-
ters. Joseph rewards his worshippers with chil-
dren, Solomon with rank and fame, Moses with
bravery, and Jesus with wisdom. Worship is
offered at graves. Childless women bring flowers
and fruit and money as offerings to the old cannon
lying outside the gate of Batavia. In other words,
the outer form of religion is Mohammedanism,
but the heart beliefs are animistic. Fortune tel-
lers and workers of divination abound every-
where.
Mohammedan teaching regarding the place of
womanhood and on the marriage relation has
borne its natural fruit and the moral condition is
lower than that of the pagan races. To become
a Mohammedan calls for merely the outward ac-
ceptance of the theories and practices of Islam,
and has no reference to any celaning up of the
inner life.
Hinduism The Hinduism which the immigrants
bring from India is of a very atten-
uated form. Large numbers of Indians frankly
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