Page 40 - A Study of Traditional Chinese Religions in Malaysia: The Decline and the Path Towards Revitalization

requirement. In other words, it is highly likely that they perceive TCR as a form of Chinese
traditions and they are professing these religions to maintain their Chineseness.

60.00%
50.00%
50.00%

40.00%

30.00%
22.00% Total
20.00% 16.00%

10.00% 7.00%
5.00%

0.00%
Strongly Disagree Probably Agree Strongly
Disagree Agree

Figure 2.19. Traditions complement ethnic identity.

However, quite a number of respondents do not view their ethnicity as defined by
their religion, as 38.5 percent of the respondents do think religion and ethnicity are two

different matters (see Figure 2.20). This reflects the point that these respondents felt that a
Chinese can still be a Chinese if they convert to other religions. As it will be explained in the
next chapter, non-TCR have acclimatized to their Chinese believers. Many traditional

Chinese practices are allowed to be practiced in non-TCR religions. The other point that this
finding reflects is the peripheralization of TCR. Not all respondents are seeing TCR as the

religion of the Chinese. If a Chinese chooses not to practise it, he will still be a Chinese. In
other words, these respondents’ conviction to TCR are low. They do not see TCR as a
religion of the Chinese. It is replaceable. However, not all respondents believe so since quite

a number of respondents disagreed (37%). The thought that TCR can be peripheralized is
an indication that some Malaysian Chinese who are practicing TCR are also keeping their

mind open and are receptive to the idea of conversion.

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