Page 75 - A Study of Traditional Chinese Religions in Malaysia: The Decline and the Path Towards Revitalization

I’ll read it. Religion helps us in our life journey. As long as we are not using it to create
suffering for others. Religions are interrelated.” (Steven)

Steven’s insights focus on the interconnectedness of all religions and that each religion
serves as one of the stages of understanding life through religious teachings. His viewpoints
also contribute to the positive side of religious conversion and that changes are inevitable

and a constant in life.

4.6.2 Religious identity of Chinese ethnic group

There are two significant viewpoints about the religious identity of Chinese people by John
and Koh respectively that were in contrast with each other. While Koh feels that TCR should
be seen as the Chinese’s religions, John believes in the freedom of choosing one’s religion

regardless of their ethnic group:

Koh John

“I feel that Chinese should profess “I am not worried about more Chinese
traditional Chinese religions as these converting out of the traditional Chinese
are our “original” religions. Christianity is a religions as the only constant in life is

‘Western’ religion.” change. I am more concerned about
Buddhist centers or temples not doing
things or thinking about how to retain

existing followers. Having said that,
people should have their freedom to

choose what religion they would like to
profess. Being Chinese does not mean
having to profess traditional Chinese

religions. There are people whose lives
become better after converting to

Christianity.”

The contrasting viewpoints can be implied as the dichotomy between what is perceived as
Western and Eastern religions, as well as the perception of religion as having an individual

or a group affiliation. Hence, the question arises as to whether religious conversion may be
negatively perceived due to the crossing of different boundaries within the categorizations of

Western and Eastern religions, TCR and non-TCR? These aspects could be further explored
in future conversations and research on religious conversion.

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