Page 67 - A Study of Traditional Chinese Religions in Malaysia: The Decline and the Path Towards Revitalization

by her church members to convert her parents. The following transcript shows her description
of the situation whereby she started to question the need to sacrifice Chinese cultural

traditions while practicing the Christian faith:

“At one time my friends kept asking me to convert my parents because they believed
that otherwise they would not go to heaven. During one Ching Ming, a friend asked
me if I should go for it, I said it was done out of respect. The friend said as long as I

don’t hold the joss sticks. I questioned why I can’t hold the joss sticks and why I can’t
do the Ching Ming rituals for my parents when they pass away. I started to question

more, and I started to retreat from the group. The members did call and ask why I did
not join them in church and I did not tell them the reason but that I wanted to take a
step back.” (Helen)

It can be concluded that the emerging conflict between perceived Christian values and
Chinese cultural traditions and practices became the turning point for Helen in reconsidering

her religious commitment at the time due to her own priorities and value system. She realises
that the religion that she commits to needs to fully accommodate the value of filial piety that

she prioritizes in her relationship with her parents. According to Helen, it was after she had
converted from Christianity to Buddhism that she believed she had finally found her sense of
belonging in Buddhism, which she feels matches her values and priorities.

4.4 Reasons Why Interviewees Converted To TCR

In relation to “RO3 - To explore factors that promote the religious conversion process among
Chinese Malaysians”, the respondents were asked to share the reasons behind their

conversion to TCR. Their responses are categorized and discussed in the following main
points:

4.4.1 Disagreeing with church’s approach after conversion

Both John and Helen pointed out that one of the main reasons behind their change of religion
from Christianity to Buddhism was the disagreement they had with the approaches of the

church and the viewpoints that were in conflict with their perspectives after converting to
Christianity.

For John, the different treatments given to him by church members and leaders
before and after he joined the church led him to question his own decision of converting to

Christianity, as the transcript excerpt of his sharing is presented below:

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