Page 30 - A Study of Traditional Chinese Religions in Malaysia: The Decline and the Path Towards Revitalization

2.4 The Reason Behind Their Belief

2.4.1 Family as the main conservation agent

In most societies, family plays an important role in preserving religious beliefs and traditions.
Based on the responses (see Figure 2.5), 69 percent of the respondents chose family as the

main reason that has caused them to embrace their current religion. This is followed by
‘religious teachings’ (12%) and ‘participating in religious activities’ (5%). Marriage is not the
main reason that has led the respondents to embrace their religion. Only four percent of

respondents think that their marriage has such an impact. Media and schools are not the
main reasons either. Only three percent of respondents claim that the media and schools
have such an impact. These findings revealed the importance of family in preserving TCR.

As indicated earlier, commitment to fulfill the requirements of their family and community is
the main reason that caused many respondents of this survey to practice their current belief.
Such commitment is reflected in Figure 2.6. Only 25.5 percent respondents did not assume

approval from their family is needed in matters related to religion while 43.5 percent of them
assumed family’s approval would be needed and 10.5 percent thought that family’s approval

would probably be needed. Thus, for many respondents, family has played its cultural and
religious maintenance role.

Meanwhile, the media and school are not performing this function effectively. Only a

small percentage of respondents indicated that the media and school contributed to their
decision to embrace their current religion. Such feedback is expected since mainstream
media and schools in Malaysia are generally “secular”. Topics related to religion are not

regularly highlighted by mainstream Chinese media. In schools, particularly public schools,
there is little mention of TCR. As for religious organizations such as temples and religious

associations, their main roles should include organizing activities and religious classes.
Notably, these organizations have not performed this task well. Only five percent of the
respondents agreed that their involvement in religious activities caused them to embrace

their current religion while a meagre 12 percent of respondents embraced their current
religion after learning about their religion through religious teachings.

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