Page 50 - A Study of Traditional Chinese Religions in Malaysia: The Decline and the Path Towards Revitalization

3.5 Factors Behind the Conversions

3.5.1 Dissatisfied with previous religion

Based on the findings revealed in Figure 3.9, not many respondents have clearly stated that
they are satisfied with their previous religions. Only 24.1 percent of the respondents who

were formerly Buddhist stated their satisfaction with their previous religion while 21.33
percent of the respondents who were Taoist expressed similar feedback. Satisfaction was
also expressed by 27.5 percent of the respondents who used to practice the Chinese folk

religions. By indicating so, these respondents are saying that their previous religions matched
their expectations. Therefore, for this group of respondents, the level of their satisfaction with
their previous religions is not the main reason that caused them to convert. Further research

is needed to understand the reason that caused this group of respondents to convert out of
TCR despite claiming that they are either satisfied or very satisfied with TCR. However, it is
highly possible that their conversion was caused by the conversion of their family or spouse

to non-TCR. As shown in Figure 3.10, “family” has been indicated by 50 percent of
respondents who are very satisfied with their previous religions (TCR) as the reason that

caused them to convert to non-TCR. Another 12.5 percent of them converted out due to
marriage while 25 percent cited “friends” as the main cause. The other 33.55 percent of this
group of respondents chose religious activities and teachings of non-TCR as the main cause.

120.00%

100.00%
7.41% 7.14% 7.50%

16.67% 14.29% 20.00% （5） Very satisfied
80.00%

（4） Satisfied
60.00%
42.86%
（3） Neutral
59.26% 57.50%
40.00%

（2） Unsatisfied
20.00% 28.57%
11.11% 10.00% （1） Very unsatisfied
5.56% 7.14% 5.00%
0.00%
Buddhism Taoism Traditional Chinese
folk-religion

Figure 3.9. Satisfaction with previous religious belief.

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