Page 64 - A Study of Traditional Chinese Religions in Malaysia: The Decline and the Path Towards Revitalization

All other siblings except for Steven’s second sister eventually followed Buddhism.
However, Steven also stressed that “I didn’t bring Buddhism to my siblings’ lives. They picked

it up along the way.”

4.3 Family Support Towards Change Of Religion

The support and approval by family members in understanding the journey of religious
“conversion” are integral in affecting the interviewees in different ways:

4.3.1 Family’s lack of understanding or approval; Hope for return to “family” religion

Out of the four interviewees, John and Steven found it challenging, to varying degrees, in
getting their parents to come to terms with their religious change. John had the most difficulty
gaining his parents’ approval over his first conversion to Christianity. This was mainly

attributed to his parents’ fear that their only son would not be able to practice filial piety
according to the Buddhist-Taoist tradition. This is considering the fact that the practice of filial

piety is given great importance in Buddhism as filial duty is paid to seven generations of the
departed, not only to one’s parents in this lifetime (Xing 2010, 258). John said,

“They were very disappointed in me over my conversion to Christianity. They feared

that by converting to Christianity, I would no longer be able to hold the joss sticks and
pray to them (the Buddhist-Taoist way) after they have passed away. To them this is
very important.” (John)

Steven’s journey of religious conversion was less thorny in terms of gaining family
approval. However, while Steven’s father was indifferent towards his conversion to Buddhism,
his mother was “concerned” as he learned more about Buddhism. This was because “she

did not fully understand my journey of enlightenment and still hoped that I would go back to
God.” Besides, Steven’s brother, whom he described as “more scientific-minded,” merely

advised him not to be too obsessed with Buddhist religious teachings.

John and Steven, however, would still find their parents still accepting their decision
in the end. John explained the situation of his first conversion to Christianity,

“I am their son, after all. My parents tried to convince themselves that my professing
Christianity was only temporary, given that Christianity is unlike Islam where you

cannot renounce it after professing it.” (John)

Despite his parents’ initial disapproval, John contended that his relationship with his parents
was still manageable overall. Comparatively, his conversion to Buddhism was more accepted

by his parents due to the perceived similarities between Taoism and Buddhism as both are

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