Dear MEL Topic Readers,
The worshippers caught between China and Taiwan
During elections, it is essential for Taiwanese politicians to visit
local temples and participate in religious events because two-thirds of the
population follow folk religions, Buddhism, and Taoism. For example, President
Tsai Ing-wen visited as many as 43 temples in a month during the last
presidential election. In Chinese mythology, Mazu is the goddess of the sea. She
is the patron goddess of sailors, fishermen, and travelers and is especially
popular in Southern Chinese coastal communities, like Fujian and Macau, as well
as overseas Chinese communities, including Taiwan. It is estimated that around
60% of Taiwanese are followers of the Mazu, and many of them visit the mainland
to worship the goddess. Interestingly, those Taiwanese visitors for religious
purposes are welcomed by the Chinese government even though Mazu isn’t one of
the five religions recognized by the government. In the meanwhile, the Taiwanese
government is worried about the influence of China-oriented religions. Why?
Read the article and learn about what religions could influence the
cross-strait issue.
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