Culture - beliefs in Spirits/Ghosts

During an English class, a student, about 20 years old, told me that if she goes on vacation to Hong Kong, she will not be able to take a shower by herself, she will need to have her friend with her in the bathroom. She went on to explain that it had to do with a dream that she had. In this dream she saw a ghost sitting on the toilet while she was in the shower. This really scared her. Now she is wondering if she should go to Hong Kong.

This past week a student (about 50 years old) told me that she was having a hard time adjusting her sleep. She was feeling stressed and worn down after returning from a trip to Europe. She was concerned that a spirit possessed her because she visited many old churches in Europe.

A newspaper article reported about a man who was wronged by a woman. He committed suicide. In a note he left behind, he threatened to hurt this woman as a ghost when he is dead.

In several classes I have asked my students (all adults) how many believe in ghosts and spirits. They kind of look at me like that is a silly question, because they all do. It's like asking how many people believe there is a sun and a moon.

It is comely believed that when a person dies he/she becomes a ghost. But what type of life they have as a ghost depends on how well the family treats the dead relative. For the funeral, it is common to burn miniature houses, cars, and other things, including fake paper money. It is believed that when these things are burned, the dead relative will be able to use them. After that, there are certain holidays they put food out and burn fake paper money. It is believed that their dead relatives will get them. It is also done to appease other ghosts that haven't been treated well. These mistreated ghost needs to be appeased so that they won't harm you.

August is 'ghost month'. That is the time when the spiritual world is open and ghost roam around the earth. People avoid activities like swimming because if a person drown or died at some place, that spirit could possess you. Also large purchases such as houses and cars are avoided for the same reason. A ghost might be inside and come and possess you.

These ghosts and spirits seem to be feared. People take extra efforts to avoid and appease these ghosts. It is a real part of their lives.

Sherry

Sherry is a 30-year-old Taiwanese woman who is realizing that the answers her family and friends are giving her about life don't satisfy her deep down inside. Her family is a typical Taiwanese family whose religion is a mix of Buddhism, Taoism, ancestor worship and lots of superstitions. Like most Taiwanese families, when they worship their ancestors or do other rituals, they don't know why they do certain rituals, certain ways. They just follow the instructions passed down to them from their mom and grandmother. They are told that if they do the ritual, they will keep their ancestors or other spirits happy, so that they will have a healthy and prosperous life.

Sherry told me that one thing she likes about Christianity is that we have an explanation for the things that we do. It makes sense to her.

She is still not a Christian. She told me that she wants to believe in the truth. but doesn't think that has to be Christianity, Buddhism or any other religion. Even though there is still confusion, I still see her seeking.

Please keep praying for her.