Page 59 - A Study of Traditional Chinese Religions in Malaysia: The Decline and the Path Towards Revitalization

Table 3.3 Level of satisfaction with current religion

Level of Satisfaction Frequency Percentage (%)

Strongly Unsatisfied 1 0.9

Unsatisfied 4 3.7

Neutral 24 22.2

Satisfied 37 34.3

Strongly Satisfied 42 38.9

Total 108 100.0

3.6.1.2 Positive changes after conversion. Third, positive changes post-religious conversion
were explored, whereby respondents were allowed to state one or more positive changes

(see Table 3.4). More than half of the respondents indicate that their current religion is able
to provide them with spiritual support (59.8%), they better understand their current religion
(55.1%), and they are more connected to their current religion, which they perceive as more
logical (50.5%). The top three positive changes in experiences are also in line with the top

reasons for converting out of traditional Chinese religion. Additionally, respondents also
indicate that their current religion is well organized (38.3%) and systematically transmitted

(29.9%), improves relationship with spouse (22.4%), and consistent with their family’s religion
(18.7%). Obtaining a better social status after conversion is the least selected positive
change (15.9%). Besides, twenty-one (19.6%) of the respondents feel more positive overall

(e.g., life experience and direction, feelings) after converting to their current religions. A
qualitative study about Chinese’s conversion to Islam in Palembang, Indonesia reported

similar positive changes in emotions after the religion conversion, such as feeling a sense of
completeness, happiness and closeness to God (Fadhilatunnisa, Reza and Zaharuddin
2022). Nonetheless, the conversion experiences are unique to each individual, and each

individual has different feelings, expectations and behaviours albeit having a similar
conversion process (Loo, Nadiyah, and Mariny 2019b).

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