Taiwan's Grassroots Culture vs. Christian Faith

November 10, 2002

TAIWAN – To celebrate the 130th anniversary of the introduction of Protestant Christianity into Northern Taiwan three Presbyterian institutions in the region will hold a seminar on faith and culture on November 16th. The Northern Synod of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, Aletheia University and the Taiwan Church Press will present papers and hold discussions on the relationship between Christian faith and Taiwan's Culture. These will include the practices of ancestor veneration and the forms of Christian worship. Scholars have been invited to help in the discussions of the dialectical relationships between what appear to be polarities.

Dr. Tsai Wei-min, associate professor of Religion at Aletheia, said, "Christian Faith was spread to Taiwan from Europe and the Americas over a hundred years ago. It has become intimately intertwined with Taiwan's historical development but its "foreignness" stands over against local culture. Up to now the church has not probed this very deeply."

Professors Chen Chi-rong and Wang Jing-ling, also of Aletheia University, will present papers on Religion and Culture, and Ancestor Veneration Practices. It is hoped that consideration of religion as a cultural phenomenon will help Christians to reflect on their long term relationship to local cultural mores and move towards dialogue. The paper on ancestor veneration practices will analyze the close-knit cultural milieu into which Christianity has come in a very tradition bound form. A further paper on worship practices asks what can and cannot be adapted for Christianity from local habits.

Several local clergy and scholars will respond to the papers and be part of the discussions.

Taiwan Church News
Reported by Gu Hao-ran. Translated and rewritten by David Alexander