Attitude towards Parents Who Still Practice the Cheng Beng Tradition from a Biblical Perspective
- August 27, 2021
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: IJRISS, Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue VIII, August 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186
Attitude towards Parents Who Still Practice the Cheng Beng Tradition from a Biblical Perspective
Anna Munanto, Yanto Paulus Hermanto, Tonny Andrian Stefanus
Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Kharisma – Bandung, Indonesia
Abstract: Cheng Beng is a ritual performed by ethnic Chinese people to pray for their ancestors who have passed away. Since many Chinese descendants have become Christians, the Cheng Beng tradition often becomes a difference of opinion between families who have embraced Christianity and those who are non-Christians. Therefore, this research is intended to provide insight for Christians to be faithful towards their religion and respectful towards their parents who still practice the Cheng Beng tradition. For this reason, research is carried out that focuses on the principles of evangelical theology to address this matter. This study explores practical ways of behaving, so that it can be implemented for all members of the congregation.
Keywords: Cheng Beng, Chinese tradition, Christian Attitude
I. INTRODUCTION
Cheng Beng tradition
In an attempt to prevent the rise of communism during the Soeharto era, Indonesian people were encouraged to embrace a religion as part of their lives. Chinese people generally believe that being part of a religion that is officially recognized in Indonesia could protect them from an unfair treatment from the government. They believe that being a Christian eliminates the stigma of being Chinese, given that Christianity is largely associated with Western, instead of Eastern, culture. For the Chinese community which was subjected to forced assimilation and experienced cultural oppression, Christianity offered a new identity (Suwignyo, 2020).
As such, many Chinese people have sent their children to Christian schools since the New Order regime. Eventually, these children embraced Christianity until their adulthood, while their parents continued to follow Buddhism or Confucianism instead of converting to the religion of their children. In fact, parents often disallow one of their sons to convert to Christianity out of worry that if all of their children are Christians, no one would pray for them when they pass away (Sutanto, 2009).
