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Taiwan 2001 |
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Religion |
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Age-old religious customs, icons, and beliefs permeate all levels of Taiwan's Chinese culture. Almost all adults in Taiwan, even those not formally subscribing to a religious belief or worshiping regularly at a particular temple, engage in religious practices stemming from one or a combination of traditional Chinese folk religions. It is very common in Taiwan to see homes and shops include a lighted shrine with incense burning to honor a deity, hero, or ancestor. Most families perform the filial duties of ancestral worship; and on important occasions, as when a son or daughter takes the university entrance examination, a visit to the temple is made to present petitions and solicit divine assistance. Many taxi drivers in Taiwan decorate their cars with charms, amulets, statuettes, and religious slogans for protection against accidents and harm. Yet strictly speaking, these people are not necessarily Buddhist, Taoist, officially affiliated with any certain temple, or registered with a religious organization.
Polytheistic and syncretic, Chinese society is dominated by ancestor worship, Taoism, and Buddhism, but has never excluded the addition and development of other indigenous and foreign religions. Although each religion may appear to postulate an independent doctrine, some cannot be strictly differentiated. For example, the Taiwan folk deity Matsu 媽祖, Goddess of the Sea, and Kuanyin 觀音, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, are often worshiped together in the same temple. This reveals the special character of the Chinese religious outlook, which can accommodate seemingly contradictory beliefs simultaneously. Freedom of religion is a fundamental right of every citizen in the ROC: "The people shall have freedom of religious belief," states Article 13 of the ROC Constitution. People of all recognized religions can publicly proselytize, evangelize, and congregate as long as they do not violate ROC laws and regulations, public morals, and social systems. To be recognized, however, these groups must apply and register with the Civil Affairs Department of the MOI 內政部民政司 after meeting stipulated requirements, including a minimum number of local believers, organizations, and sufficient funds. Currently, there are 16 religions recognized by the government: Taoism, Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Hsuan-yuan Chiao 軒轅教, Li-ism 理教, Tenrikyo 天理教, the Baha'i faith 巴哈伊教, Tien Dih Chiao 天帝教, Tien Te Chiao 天德教, I-kuan Tao 一貫道, Mahikarikyo 真光教, Chinese Confucianism 中國儒教, Ta Yi Chiao 大易教 and Hai Tse Tao 亥子道. Religious groups have traditionally been the backbone of community services in Taiwan. As of December 1999, religious groups were operating 52 hospitals, 69 clinics, 26 retirement homes, 26 centers for the mentally retarded, 10 handicapped welfare institutions, 6 rehabilitation centers, 14 orphanages, and 37 nurseries in Taiwan. These groups have also established 387 kindergartens, 11 primary schools, 48 high schools, 5 colleges, 15 universities, and 84 monasteries and seminaries. They have also set up 166 libraries, 159 publishing houses, and 295 publications. Aside from sharing a common concern for the poor and disaster victims, religious organizations have also diversified into medical services, free health checkups, community projects, and visitations to homes and hospitals. Churches in Taiwan have also taken the lead in organizing cultural and recreational activities. Whereas the Protestant church has focused on promoting youth activities, Taoist organizations have channeled much of their efforts into preserving and staging traditional Chinese dramas, and Buddhist groups have offered a wide range of self-improvement seminars. Taiwan's first religious association, the Taiwan Association for Religious Studies (TARS), was established on April 18, 1999, by a group of scholars and academics. The association researches mainstream and folk religions in Taiwan and publishes a monthly newsletter. National Chengchi University established a graduate school in religious studies in 2000, the only university unaffiliated with religious groups to set up a graduate program in religion. Another important factor influencing religion in Taiwan is the extremely eclectic nature of the Chinese. The religions currently practiced in Taiwan are for the most part combinations of elements from several religions. Even Taoism, which is rooted in traditional Chinese philosophy, has absorbed many aspects of non-Chinese dogmas. Unlike the Islamic, Jewish, and Christian religions, which require that believers adhere only to their particular doctrines, the Chinese have seldom felt it necessary to exclude aspects of other faiths from their personal or collective religious beliefs. Upgrading and Expansion of the Religion Section, Civil Affairs DepartmentIn June 2000, Minister of the Interior Chang Po-ya 張博雅 ordered the Religion Section of the Civil Affairs Department 民政司宗教輔導科, currently staffed by only four civil servants, to be expanded and upgraded into a Religious Affairs Department in the near future. Although nearly half of Taiwan's residents practice the 16 religions recognized by the government, many religious groups are legally registered as consortia or organizations. The Ministry sent to the Legislative Yuan a reorganization draft in June 2000, under which the new department would have 53 staff members. The Ministry has also considered drafting a Religious Standards Law 宗教基準法 to better serve the various groups, as the current Civil Law 民法, theTemple Regulations Act 寺廟管理法, and the Law on Civic Organizations 人民團體法 cannot fully address the needs of religious groups. Alternative Military ServiceIn coordination with the implementation of alternative military service beginning in July 2000, the MOI agreed that conscripts inducted into the military in 1999 could apply for a one year postponement due to religious reasons, but must produce a certificate of proof from a legitimate religious group. In 2000, 28 Jehovah's Witnesses and three Buddhists had applied for the 33-month alternative to military service, which is 11 months longer than ordinary military service. All of them were assigned to do social work in the Taichung area by the 921 Earthquake Post-Disaster Recovery Commission, Executive Yuan. The 921 Earthquake Relief MeasuresImmediately following the 921 Earthquake on September 21, 1999, the religious community contributed immensely to relief efforts with great compassion and efficiency. They were among the first to reach out to victims in the disaster areas, bringing hope, comfort, food, materials, and monetary assistance. Particularly noteworthy were the Buddhist Compassion Tzu Chi Relief Foundation 佛教慈濟慈善事業基金會; Fo Guang Shan 佛光山 (FGS) and its affiliate, the Buddha's Light International Association 國際佛光會 (BLIA), which formed a 921 Earthquake United Relief Fund/Center 佛光山國際佛光會聯合救災基金／中心; and the Association of Dharma Drum Mountain Cultural and Educational Organizations 法鼓山文教基金會.
Catholic churches in Taiwan set up a 921 Earthquake Relief Center 臺灣天主教九二一賑災救助中心 headed by Cardinal Paul Shan 單國璽樞機主教 of Taiwan. Churches and church institutions were opened for temporary housing of refugees and as centers to provide emergency relief and medical services, among other measures. Catholic hospitals and clinics provided emergency medical aid, especially to remote areas, and Catholic institutions offered to provide adoption services to 300 homeless elderly and orphans. The Chinese Christian Relief Association of Taiwan 中華基督教救助協會 (CCRA) set up a Taiwan Christian United Rescue Action for the 921 Earthquake 九二一地震救助行動. The CCRA also helped in resettling orphans, widows, and families broken apart by the quake; training churches to organize relief groups and resources; providing counseling, guidance, and assistance to elementary and junior-high school children and teenagers; and producing spiritual guidance cassettes, videotapes, and booklets for distribution in the disaster areas and for broadcasting.
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