Page 74 - A Study of Traditional Chinese Religions in Malaysia: The Decline and the Path Towards Revitalization

Apart from sharing about their own conversion, the respondents were asked the question on
their views on the issue of conversion to TCR. The input obtained aims to add new

perspectives to RO2 - How do Chinese Malaysians perceive religious conversion. The
respondents’ viewpoints are discussed in the following aspects:

4.6.1 Religious ‘conversion’ as a journey of enlightenment

Steven and Helen shared the similarity of seeing religious ‘conversion’ as a journey of
enlightenment. They believe that converting from one religion to another religion does not

create conflict or any negative consequences, but that it is an inevitable journey of
discovering and developing oneself. Helen shares her views on what she has gained in her
experiences of converting to different religions:

“I wouldn’t say any religion has something that the others don’t have… Each one

helped me in different ways. It’s based on individuals. If one understands what life is
all about, they will not start to move from one practice to another practice because
that is what humans are all about – we always want something better. So that is why

many people, if they don’t understand the real reason behind following a religion, they
will be moving around because they are only praying for intentions. Like me, I kept

asking for my personal relationship problems to be solved but now I realize that
problems don’t go away when we pray. If we do not solve the current problem, we
will still have more problems in future. So we need to understand that whatever

problems that we face are created by ourselves. I think if everyone understands this
philosophy, then I think the world will be a peaceful place to live in.” (Helen)

Helen’s sharing illustrates the positive perception of religious conversion as a form of self-
development in the quest towards the betterment of oneself. She also stated that conversion

should not be taken as a means of praying for one’s intentions as it should be more about
the discovery of spiritual fulfillment.

Interestingly, Steven’s sharing shows similar thought processes as he spoke about
the ways in which different religions complement each other in religious conversions:

“For me, I see conversion as a journey of progressing through different stages of
understanding things and spiritual development (different levels in enlightenment).

Change in life is a constant. There are stages in learning and understanding the
teachings of different religions. Religious teachings are not different entities. They

are interconnected and interrelated. I’m open to religion, whatever comes my way,

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