wfn.org | Presbyterian Concern for Taiwan's Referendum and Presidential Election

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Taiwan Church News 2716, 15 through 21 March 2004

Reported by: Yang Shu-hao.  Translated and Rewritten by David Alexander

As the election and referendum draw ever closer, The Rev. Lim Chong-cheng,
Associate General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT), led a
study session for the Church and Society committee.  They called on believers
to act according to Biblical principles and vote for someone who truly shows
concern for the weak and will be the president of all the people.

The study session, held on March 8 and 9 at on the campus of the Presbyterian
Bible College in Hsin-chu, focused on prayerful approaches to participation
in
the national referendum.  Representatives from church and society committees
in all PCT local districts were told to encourage local churches in advance
of
the election to hold activities showing concern.  One district in Northern
Taiwan has already planned an all night prayer vigil, and several Aboriginal
districts are making plans.

Rev. Lim spoke from the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy on the nature of
person who qualified to be king in Israel: clean, good character, unselfish
and concerned for society.  The new king would be forbidden to lead the
people
back into Egypt. He noted that Taiwan has many people whose roots are in
China
and who hold power and responsibility in this land. They must be told not to
think about taking Taiwan "back" into China. Taiwan's Christians must be
clear
about that as they select the nation's leaders.

He pointed to the Rev. Dr. George Leslie MacKay, who founded many churches in
Northern Taiwan in the 19th Century.  It was Mackay's contention that Taiwan
belonged neither to the Ching Dynasty emperors of China nor the Japanese
Empire (under whose colonial power it eventually fell), but to those who
recognized themselves as the people of Taiwan. In his call for people to
consider how to cast their votes, he again urged them to consider the
position
of the candidates on the question of Taiwan's future.

For More Information: Lim Chong-cheng  leonard@mail.pct.org.tw

Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages.

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