January 16-22, 2012
Headline News
Local pastors say God is in control despite election results
Reported by Chen Yi-hsuan
Written by Lydia Ma
Despite the outcome of the January 14 elections in Taiwan, Taichung Justice Action Church pastor, Rev. Tsai Chu-chieh said he feels calm and at peace with such results. Knowing that many PCT members are unable to mask their disappointment, he underscored that, “electing a president is temporary, but God is eternal. A president cannot replace a religious belief. Democracy cannot replace Christian faith.”
During Sunday service the morning after election day, Tsai said that if people had hoped that their preferred presidential candidate would win and be their protector, they might as well depend on this candidate’s bodyguards for their well-being. Knowing that many Christians in his congregation are disappointed and worried, he said it was fine to struggle with these emotions, “but don’t let these things overtake our faith in God.”
As for his congregation’s concern that there were many irregularities and much unfairness during this election, Tsai replied that “it’s not the first time that we hear about dirty elections in Taiwan, but we must find a way to eventually make elections clean.”
Three members from the Canadian Election Observer Group also attended this worship service, including Taiwanese Human Rights Association of Canada President Michael Stainton. Tsai chatted with them after the service and offered his views on the results of this election.
He underscored 2 things worth pondering upon about this election; first, politicians and voters had taken advantage of each other. He explained that voters had used their votes to exchange something of equal value from the candidates, which is a global phenomenon nowadays
Second, the lack of an adequate system to monitor the media is an glaring problem in Taiwan. Tsai said that television networks were blatantly partisan and campaigned fiercely through advertisements. “This is akin to legal vote-buying. The people should have discerned this,” he said.
“This is God’s will and we can only accept it,” said Rev. Sung Hsin-hsi of Jen-He Presbyterian Church in Tainan. He feels that it’s not easy to change social values overnight, but churches are called to persevere according their convictions nevertheless. “Taiwan is where we live,” he added. “We can’t give up on Taiwan!”
United Church of Christ in Japan Tokyo Taiwan Church pastor, Rev. Li Meng-che, returned to Taiwan with his wife in time to cast their ballots, and boarded a plane to fly back to Tokyo immediately after voting. “I support Tsai Ing-wen because her aspirations are in tune with my religious convictions,” he said.
Li added that his vote was a vote in support of justice and in support of an environment conducive to holistic missions, rather than vote in support for any specific political party. He underscored that if China were to rule over Taiwan, evangelism would be prohibited.
In response to some youths at his church who had posted their disappointment and frustration on Facebook regarding DPP’s loss, Li said a time of grieving was fitting, but encouraged them to wipe away their tears afterward and get ready for the next battle to protect Taiwan.
