Posted on Dec 30, 2023
The worshippers caught between China and Taiwan
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Every year, Chang Ke-chung journeys from his home in Taiwan to China to carry out a sacred duty.
He worships Mazu, a sea goddess with millions of followers in Taiwan and ethnic Chinese communities around the world. For them, a pilgrimage to Mazu's home temple in Meizhou in southern China is an essential act of faith.
"We feel we are Mazu's children, so it's like we are accompanying our mother to visit her ancestral home," said Mr Chang, who leads a Mazu temple in Taiwan.
"I've been to China so many times now that every time I go there, it's like I'm home, I'm in my own country."
Such sentiments delight Beijing but worry Taipei. They put Taiwanese worshippers at the centre of a political tug-of-war, especially with presidential and legislature elections coming up in just two weeks.
He worships Mazu, a sea goddess with millions of followers in Taiwan and ethnic Chinese communities around the world. For them, a pilgrimage to Mazu's home temple in Meizhou in southern China is an essential act of faith.
"We feel we are Mazu's children, so it's like we are accompanying our mother to visit her ancestral home," said Mr Chang, who leads a Mazu temple in Taiwan.
"I've been to China so many times now that every time I go there, it's like I'm home, I'm in my own country."
Such sentiments delight Beijing but worry Taipei. They put Taiwanese worshippers at the centre of a political tug-of-war, especially with presidential and legislature elections coming up in just two weeks.
The worshippers caught between China and Taiwan
Posted from bbc.com
Religion
Faith
China
Taiwan
Posted 4 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good day Brother William, always informational and of the most interesting. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Treading a fine line
Even as it tries to combat Chinese influence, Taiwan's DPP government risks turning away a significant voter base.
Temples are key civic spaces in Taiwan, with two-thirds of the population following folk religions, Buddhism and Taoism. Visiting local temples and taking part in religious events is a must for politicians, especially during election season. In the last presidential election, President Tsai Ing-wen made headlines when she visited a record 43 temples in a month.
The DPP government is already facing a backlash, analysts say. "Some in the religious community feel that the government is targeting them," said Dr Chang, the religion and politics expert. "Some temples feel their religious motives have been misunderstood."
Combined with Beijing's influence, this has contributed to "a phenomenon where some members of these groups are more afraid and may be less trusting of the Taiwanese government", she added."...
..."Treading a fine line
Even as it tries to combat Chinese influence, Taiwan's DPP government risks turning away a significant voter base.
Temples are key civic spaces in Taiwan, with two-thirds of the population following folk religions, Buddhism and Taoism. Visiting local temples and taking part in religious events is a must for politicians, especially during election season. In the last presidential election, President Tsai Ing-wen made headlines when she visited a record 43 temples in a month.
The DPP government is already facing a backlash, analysts say. "Some in the religious community feel that the government is targeting them," said Dr Chang, the religion and politics expert. "Some temples feel their religious motives have been misunderstood."
Combined with Beijing's influence, this has contributed to "a phenomenon where some members of these groups are more afraid and may be less trusting of the Taiwanese government", she added."...
(6)
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