wfn.org | Taiwan - Fear the Lord,Not the Ghosts

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Taiwan Church News 2634, August 25, 2002
Reported by Lin Yi-shin.  Translated and rewritten by David
Alexander

    To declare the good news that belief in God brings the kind of
peace that frees one from fearing the ghosts (friendly brothers),
the Taipei and Seven Stars Presbyteries of the PCT reserved
Taipei's 228 memorial park on August 16th to hold a "Peace Night,
Breakthrough to Hope" concert.  Several hundred people gathered
to hear music under the moonlight and heard the message that
belief in the Lord brings peace.
    The organizers described the activity as aimed at Taipei's
majority of residents who keep the seventh month of the lunar
calendar as "ghost month."  According to Taiwan's folk religion,
this is the time when the "friendly brothers" are especially
prone to cause mischief and mayhem.  The churches have the
potential to break through superstitions and taboo's of Taiwan's
folk beliefs. By demonstrating their ability to ignore the
limitations of the season, Christians testify to their confidence
in God alone.
    During ghost month the majority of Taiwan's folk religion
adherents face many limitations.  The two presbyteries chose to
put on a concert and rally expressly to proclaim freedom from
fear to the 2 to 3 million people who inhabit Taipei's environs.
Besides celebrity musical performances, prominent preachers gave
testimonies.  The ecumenical aspect of the rally was seen in the
invitation to the Rev. Liao Kuen-tien, from Chien-ter Baptist
Church in Taichung City.

For more information: Taipei Presbytery tpepct@ms29.hinet.net
                   Seven Stars Presbytery hcpres@mail.ht.net.tw

Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Chinese.
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