Page 39 - A Study of Traditional Chinese Religions in Malaysia: The Decline and the Path Towards Revitalization

40.00%
34.50%
35.00% 32.50%
30.00%

25.00%
20.00%
15.50% Total
15.00%
11.50%
10.00%
6.00%
5.00%

0.00%
Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
disagree

Figure 2.18. Percentage of respondents who think their religion’s tradition is outdated.

2.5.4 TCR can be peripheralized

Religion plays an important role in defining a person’s ethnic identity. The fact that there are
multiple religions co-existing in the United States proves this point. Each immigrant
community in the United States retained their ethnic identity by professing their religion. For

example, most Latinos in the United States will claim Catholicism as their religion. Though
many Asians are converting to Christianity, quite a number of them continue to practice

Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism (Kim 2011). Religion is an ethnic identity marker. In
Malaysia, the constitution of Malaysia includes Islam as one of the defining criteria of
“Malayness”.

Similarly, TCR has a role to play in defining the meaning of “Chineseness”. In fact,
many aspects of Chineseness are shaped by TCR’s teachings and values. However, as
indicated earlier, many Chinese are becoming unaware of TCR teachings and values. This

has caused many of them to be unaware of the relationship between their Chineseness and
their religion. Gradually, TCR is less associated with the Chinese identity.

Findings from this study reveal insights on this phenomenon. Chinese people are

aware that they should maintain their traditions such as celebrating Chinese festivities, filial
piety, etc. As shown in Figure 2.19, 72 percent of the respondents accept the fact that

Chinese traditions complement their ethnic identity. Only 12 percent disagreed while 16
percent of them had doubts. Such responses indicate that the respondents are aware that
they should maintain Chinese traditions as the traditions define their identity. Hence, many

respondents in this survey indicated that their reason for having a religion is to fulfill the social

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