Chinese ancestral worship as mere paganism.As a result, it is not rare to see Chinese Christians avoiding Chinese funerals. Even for those who attend the funerals, they are often at a loss as to what to do and they may even fear their faith being shaken by the spirits. Therefore, problems arise when a Chinese Christian, especially an eldest son of the deceased rejects attending a Chinese funeral altogether. According to the patriarchal lines of authority prevalent in the Chinese culture, this will be perceived as of ‘unfilial’ the son. Christian conversion of a member in the family usually articulates into identity crises of the convert especially in situations when he is caught in a cultural dilemma to simultaneously to two contrasting practices. The refusal of Christian children to participate in rites of burial is also seen as (1925) quotes Ball, ‘danibudao’.Addison that to give up the ancestral rites often results in ostracism from the family and the clan. As for a Christian woman who is married to a non-Christian, she often finds herself in a compromising position when discerning what constitutes idolization and what does not. Pregnant women are also usually advised (by family members or relatives) against attending funerals for fear of interference of the spirits that may affect the birth of the children. If the women really have to attend funerals, they are advised to wear a red scarf around their bellies or to keep talismans obtained from the Taoist priests. So, Christian conceived women may be caught in between when they are advised against attending any funeral or when talismans are given to them out of good will. Chinese Ancestor worship also encompasses the erection of the Ancestor Tablets in the houses or in temples and clans according to The Classic of Filial Piety Ancestor tablets signify the transformation of the deceased into the status of an XVIII.
Chinese ancestral worship as mere paganism.As a result, it is not rare to see Chinese Christians avoiding Chinese funerals. Even for those who attend the funerals, they are often at a loss as to what to do and they may even fear their faith being shaken by the spirits. Therefore, problems arise when a Chinese Christian, especially an eldest son of the deceased rejects attending a Chinese funeral altogether. According to the patriarchal lines of authority prevalent in the Chinese culture, this will be perceived as ‘unfilial’ of the son. Christian conversion of a member in the family usually articulates into identity crises of the convert especially in situations when he is caught in a cultural dilemma to simultaneously to two contrasting practices. The refusal of Christian children to participate in rites of burial is also seen as ‘danibudao’.Addison (1925) quotes Ball, that to give up the ancestral rites often results in ostracism from the family and the clan. As for a Christian woman who is married to a non-Christian, she often finds herself in a compromising position when discerning what constitutes idolization and what does not. Pregnant women are also usually advised (by family members or relatives) against attending funerals for fear of interference of the spirits that may affect the birth of the children. If the women really have to attend funerals, they are advised to wear a red scarf around their bellies or to keep talismans obtained from the Taoist priests. So, Christian conceived women may be caught in between when they are advised against attending any funeral or when talismans are given to them out of good will. Chinese Ancestor worship also encompasses the erection of the Ancestor Tablets in the houses or in temples and clans according to The Classic of Filial Piety XVIII. Ancestor tablets signify the transformation of the deceased into the status of an