Page 52 - A Study of Traditional Chinese Religions in Malaysia: The Decline and the Path Towards Revitalization

Table 3.1 Possible factors that caused dissatisfaction towards respondents’
previous religion

Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly
Disagree agree
Could not understand previous religion 6.48% 27.78% 33.33% 23.15% 9.26%

Could not provide spiritual support. 2.78% 20.37% 33.33% 28.7% 14.81%

Shrouded by superstitious practices. 2.78% 7.41% 23.15% 40.74% 25.93%

Still relevant in today’s world. 9.26% 18.52% 44.44% 23.15% 4.63%

Traditional Chinese beliefs are well 6.48% 27.78% 32.41% 28.7% 4.63%
organized
Traditional Chinese beliefs are in line with 7.41% 42.59% 25.00% 0.93% 24.07%
scientific logic

The above findings (Table 3.1) show the perception that TCR are shrouded by superstitious
practices is probably the main factor that caused many respondents to be dissatisfied with

their previous religions. Education and modernization have contributed to such a perception.
More and more Malaysian Chinese are becoming educated and their education is exposing
them to scientific thinking that emphasizes logic, rationality and ‘systematic thinking’. Many

TCR practices are unexplainable through scientific logic and are not fact-based for many
people. These factors have caused many Chinese, including the respondents, to turn away
and seek other “better” religions. This phenomenon has been described by Tong (2007) as

an outcome of ‘intellectualization’ of religion. Due to the nature of the educational system
which emphasizes ‘rational’ and ‘systematic’ thinking, individuals are seeking religions that
are perceived to be having these features. At the same time, the said education system is

causing individuals to demystify religious practices that are perceived as illogical and to
discard ‘irrational’ religious practices. Singaporean Chinese are experiencing such changes.

Many of them are converting to Christianity as they view TCR, particularly Chinese folk-
religion as a religion shrouded by irrational practices (Tong 2007). Based on the findings of
this research, Malaysian Chinese are going through the same process.

The intellectualization of religion has generated other effects. This process has
caused individuals to look for a religion that they can understand. Many TCR practices are
not understood. As shown in Table 3.1, many respondents are claiming their inability to

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