Religion in Malaysia

A question has been posed about religion, Christianity and Lutheranism in Malaysia.  As far as religions are concerned, Islam is the official religion of the state, however there is freedom of religion in Malaysia.  The Constitution includes the practicing of Islam in the definition of “Malay”, but those who are Malaysian-Chinese, Malaysian-Indian, or otherwise practice a variety of religions.

Islam     61%
Buddhism            19%
Christianity         9%
Hinduism             6%
Confucianism, Taoism, traditional Chinese religions          1%                          (2010, Wikipedia)

For an interesting read, check out the religion section of “Malaysia” on Wikipedia, or “Religion in Malaysia”.

Christianity is predominantly Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Methodist.  On West/Peninsular Malaysia, there is one protestant seminary that serves most of the protestant denominations.   A beautiful outcome of this is the relationships built among people of different denominations.  (Eric and Wendolyn Trozzo, also with ELCA Global Mission, are serving at a seminary in Sabah – West Malaysia, on the island of Borneo.)

There are two Lutheran churches in Malaysia: the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia (ELCM) was founded through outreach by Swedish missionaries to the Indian migrant workers who were brought in by the British to serve in the rubber fields.  The Lutheran Church of Malaysia (LCM, until recently the LCMS – Lutheran Church of Malaysia and Singapore) was founded via missionary activity from the ELCA to the Chinese tin miners.  As a result of this history, the ELCM remains predominantly Indian ethnically, while LCM predominantly Chinese.  Zach and I are working with the LCM, though my supervisor was formerly in the ELCM, and his father was their bishop for many years.  The Lutheran churches vary in degrees of formal/informal liturgy, and whether they have services in Mandarin or Cantonese, English, or both.  Worship at the National Lutheran Conference included songs with each verse in a different of three languages: Mandarin, Bahasa, and English.

More to come on the differences/similarities we notice between churches here and back home.  And as far as how we are being welcomed and received – very warmly!  We have been shown tremendous honor and welcomed by those we have met here.  Also, the ordination of women was not a huge struggle faced here, as far as I have been informed.  As soon as people realize that both Zach and I are interns and both are attending seminary to become ordained, we are both received well as far as I have perceived.  We remain exceedingly blessed by this opportunity to serve.

Many thanks to those who have been posing questions for us – thanks for your interest, and keep the questions coming!  God's peace to you and yours, Emily