PERSONAL EVANGELISM.
CHINESE ANCESTRAL WORSHIP (CAW)
(2nd and final part.)
1) Funeral Rites
Rites vary among Chinese dialect groups which may assign different meanings to a particular rite. Some common ones are listed below.
Some rites are religious in nature and Christians cannot participate in them. Others are cultural in nature and Christians may participate in them.
(a) A rite is deemed Religious if it fulfils any of the following purposes / meanings (N1) :-
1) ensures the “salvation” of the deceased’s soul,
2) protects the descendants against harm by dissatisfied ancestors,
3) expects the ancestor to bless and protect the descendants,
4) communicates with the deceased,
5) worships the spirit of the ancestors, or
6) offers sacrifices, housing, food, personal effects and hell money to the ancestors.
The following rites are deemed Religious (N2):-
|
Rite |
Meaning / Purpose |
|
a) buying water from the spirit of a stream |
counter polluting effect of death |
|
b) placing pearl in deceased’s mouth |
prevent ghost of the deceased from returning |
|
c) covering all mirrors in the home |
counter malicious, evil spirits |
|
d) offering food on an altar |
spiritual worship |
|
e) holding joss stick and bowing / praying to the deceased |
spiritual worship |
|
f) burning effigies / hell money |
transport ancestor’s soul to netherworld |
|
g) preparing paper / wooden ancestor tablet |
set up for worship |
|
h) rituals and prayers at wake and funeral |
connotes idolatrous worship |
b) A rite is deemed Cultural and not Religious if the meaning / purpose is only to (N3) :-
1) express filial piety,
2) express grief and mourning,
3) reassert family status and solidarity, or
4) remember the deceased.
The following rites are deemed Cultural (N4) :-
|
Rite |
Meaning / Purpose |
|
a) buying coffin |
preparing for funeral |
|
b) cleaning, dressing corpse |
respect / affection |
|
c) wear sackcloth and mourning clothes |
express filial piety and grief |
|
d) wreaths, banners |
express condolence |
|
e) placing photo of deceased in front of coffin |
provide information |
|
f) funeral parade |
general public notice of funeral procession |
|
g) provide meals for family and guests |
meet physical needs |
|
h) bowing in front of coffin without holding joss stick |
last respect |
|
i) red thread |
good luck symbol |
|
j) ang pow |
good luck symbol |
|
k) lighting candles |
provide light |
2) Christian Perspective
Christians cannot engage in Religious rites because (a) Christians have to obey God’s commandment to worship only God and no other spirits and (b) God wants Christians to live according to the truth of the spiritual realm as revealed by God.
Whilst Christians cannot worship ancestor spirits, they must venerate their ancestors. This must be done in such a way which does not disobey God.
Heartfelt reverence of ancestors is from the heart. It need not be represented by religious rites like using joss sticks.
3) Choose Heaven, Escape from Hell.
Shenists and Taoists place great importance on CAW rituals, rites and prayers. This confirms their belief that their souls would inevitably go to hell.
We must tell them that the Creator God loves them and wants them to go to heaven instead. He offers direct entry into heaven. We must share the Gospel of Salvation with them.
(Notes:- N1 to N4 (except items (h) to (k) . Reference book “FEEDING ON ASHES” by Rev. Daniel Chua Meng Wah.)
Respect all religions founded by man.
But Trust and Obey God.
Richard Chng
7.11.2018
