Sounds of Pagan Worship

vs.

Sounds of Christian Worship

Comments from New Believers

by Mary Griffith

Recently a friend and I went to our favorite vegetarian buffet. The food is tasty, and the premises clean, spacious, and bright. Sitting a good distance away from an idol located in one of the corners, we have always had a pleasant dining experience. On our last visit, though, the restaurant was broadcasting Nian Jing, ãÀ ¸g, the sing-song chant so clearly associated with Buddhist ritual, through their sound system. By the time we filled our plates and paid we both decided we would rather do take out.

On the walk home I shared how Nian Jing was just slightly less repulsive to me than the screech of fingernails on a blackboard. My friend grew up in a devout Yi Gwan Tao home. Wondering if my reaction was simply reflecting my Western culture, or if there was something more to it, I asked her how she felt when she heard sounds associated with temple ritual.

Since that conversation I have interviewed a number of other New Life Church members, asking their impressions of pagan religious music before and after their conversion to Christ. I asked them to compare the benefits or effects of Christian worship with those associated with idol worship.

To give the reader an understanding of the respondents' point of reference, a brief description of our worship style at New Life Church is in order. It is contemporary, with piano, two guitars and a tambourine as our accompaniment. We occasionally sing along with a CD or tape, especially when learning a new melody. We use overhead transparencies for nearly all songs and stand for a good portion of the praise time. This enhances freedom to clap or raise hands, or otherwise move as the Spirit leads. We use Mandarin primarily, but are experimenting with Taiwanese (which is very well received). Most of the respondents have little, if any, exposure to traditional, liturgical, or high church worship. Since New Life is their first church home, our worship style is the norm for them.

Wang Ping,

28, female, trading company, believer for less than one year

Before I became a Christian, sounds of temple music were just a normal part of my life, kind of like the garbage truck tune. When I would go to a temple to bai- bai (a traditional Chinese worship) and hear the chanting, I would feel like an outsider because I couldn't understand what they were saying. Listening to them had absolutely no meaning. It bored me.

Now when I come to church to worship the Lord with other brothers and sisters, my soul awakens and I feel the presence of God as we praise. I have a sense not only of God being with us, but also of my own "aliveness." Singing, clapping, and lifting my hands all serve to help me celebrate life. If I come with questions or problems, I often find the answer right there in the words of the song.

When I hear chanting or other kinds of temple music, I think of dark, smoky rooms, filled with hopelessness. It reminds me of when I felt dead.

Mrs. Lai

50, high school teacher, believer for less than two years

During a time when I was very sick with an undiagnosed illness, my husband bought a Buddhist chant tape for me. He hoped it would help me get well. He turned it on, but after a few moments he turned it off. "You are already sick enough," he said. "You don't need to listen to this!" Later, he told me it reminded him of his father's death and funeral.

The next day, out of curiosity, I listened to the tape again. I felt empty and desperate for help. As I concentrated on the melody-I couldn't understand the words-I felt comforted. I began to cry uncontrollably with happiness, thinking I'd found what I had been lacking in my life. It was music that led me into a study of Buddhism that lasted seven years.

Now, since I've found my life (what I was looking for) in Jesus Christ, the chanting does not move me at all.

I don't have a good singing voice so for quite a while I felt awkward during corporate worship. The Lord has set me free from this self-consciousness and I now can freely praise and offer thanksgiving in song. I particularly like songs with fire-hot lyrics, where the words are intimate, describing worship in terms of the closeness of a lover or of a parent and child. These are the songs that God uses to open my heart to Him.

Liang Ting

mid-30s, dentist, believer more than ten years

There was a Taoist temple across the street from my home. My grandmother was a devout follower so I grew up hearing Taoist music. As far back as I can remember, it always troubled my heart. It stirred up a deep discomfort that made me want to run to get away from it. One of the good things about doing my military duty was the escape it provided. It was while I was in the army that I came to know Christ.

I consider corporate worship my weekly opportunity to get recharged. In worship, my heart experiences healing and cleansing. As I lift God up, He lifts me up! This time of praise in music not only serves to bless my heart in relationship with Him, but causes me to rejoice in my relationship with His body. As we all with one voice and one heart give Him the glory, I experience something that goes with me throughout the week. Just when I need it, the Lord will bring to mind the melody and words of a song, and my heart is encouraged.

Shiou Tau,

29, female, pre-school teacher, believer for more than a year

I was given to a Taoist god when I was very young. Every year on his birthday I had to go through a ceremony that frightened me. I was fearful of the bad luck that would come if I didn't do everything like I was supposed to. The music was very mysterious and strange. Even after I grew up, those anxious feelings would return every time I heard it.

Now that I am a Christian I can avoid it most of the time. When I do happen to hear that kind of music it sounds false. I feel sad for the people held captive by such superstition.

My first reaction to Christian music, as a nonbeliever, was that it sounded really good. It was pleasing to the ear. Now I find it to be a source of comfort to me. I like the many different kinds of singing we do in worship. The fast and lively songs stir me with joy. The quiet and slow ones help me experience God's presence.

The biggest difference between then and now is that I can come to my God fully assured that he will receive me in love and that I need not be afraid. Whenever I hear Christian music, I am reminded of that promise.

Way Ru,

24, female, receptionist/nurse, believer for more than a year

I heard Nian Jing off and on during my childhood. Once, to my surprise, I heard my mother listening to a tape. She said it was to give her heart peace. I thought it strange that something with so little beauty could be of help. At the Yi Gwan Tao meetings they put the words of their teachings to the melodies of popular and folk songs. I like to sing, so it was fun to go. I didn't get much out of the lyrics. They were too deep and obscure in their meaning.

When I left home to get a job, I moved in for a time with my elder sister and brother-in-law. There I was exposed to a steady diet of Christian music. I worked on Sundays, but they taped the worship service (New Life Church) for me. At first I used the music to put me to sleep. That was before I believed.

Now I have such a different perspective. I listen to Christian music every day. I am trying to memorize the lyrics to the songs that move me most so I don't have to depend on having a CD or tape player. Then I can enjoy them anytime and anyplace.

I am recording in my journal how the Lord has used particular songs to see me through various circumstances of my life. I want these testimonies to be read and these songs to be sung at my funeral. If my parents still don't know Him then, I want my funeral to be one more opportunity for them to hear about the wonderful things He did for me.

Jr Jian,

22, male, university student, believer for five years

I never liked the sounds of Buddhist or Taoist music. It was not like regular music and had nothing to attract me to listen. The only meaning Nian Jing had for me was its association with death. Now that I believe I dislike it even more. It grates on my ears and makes me feel uncomfortable. I think it is because I now understand that it contradicts the truth and represents the deception that prevails here in Taiwan.

Practically, Christian music is easier to sing and is much better sounding. (I hear rumors that Buddhists are trying to make their songs more singable by setting Christian melodies to their own words, i.e., "Buddha, I Love You.") Spiritually, the words of the songs are what I believe and live my life by. As I sing or listen I gain strength and grow in my faith.

Mary Griffith is a church planter with the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board. She is in her fourth year of work with the New Life Church in the Eng Kong area of Tainan County.

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Originally published in the July 1996 edition of Taiwan Mission

Copyright 1996, Taiwan Mission Quarterly is produced and maintained by Taiwan Missionary Fellowship. Those desiring to reprint articles from Taiwan Mission should write to the editorial committee requesting permission and due acknowledgment should be given.

Mail and comments to:Taiwan Mission (tmission@bapbbs.org.tw)