LettersWhy Hong Kong’s religious schools should live on

Readers discuss the suggestion that Hong Kong phase out religious schools, the display of the national flag at a church, and steps the government can take to boost patriotism in the young

Hong Kong society

Letters

Published: 11:30am, 13 Oct, 2023

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I refer to the letter, “Post-colonial Hong Kong should rethink religious schools” (October 3). The writer acknowledges the role Christian schools have played in Hong Kong, but in the next breath he calls for their abolition.

A puzzling non sequitur, except as a call for a “post-colonial” reckoning.

But what the writer sees as a post-colonial city, I call an international city. In Hong Kong, I as a gweilo can make a life, and feel a sense of belonging, as I have done since 1976.

Like the writer, I too am an atheist. Yet I love the fact that Hong Kong has its churches, its mosques and its temples. I’m happy that we have schools of all stripes from secular government schools to international and religious schools. I don’t want them banned, least of all for concerns over alleged colonialism.

Moreover, getting rid of religious schools would be against our Basic Law. Article 136 of the Basic Law says, “Community organizations and individuals may, in accordance with law, run educational undertakings of various kinds” in Hong Kong. Article 137 says, “Educational institutions of all kinds may retain their autonomy and enjoy academic freedom” and “Schools run by religious organizations may continue to provide religious education, including courses in religion.”

Has the writer considered that if we do away with Catholic schools, for consistency we would also have to do away with Islamic schools? And Buddhist and Jewish schools? Good luck with that.

The writer argues we should get rid of Catholic schools because they propagate “Western values”. Has he forgotten that Christianity began in the Levant of West Asia, and spread both East and West from there. Christianity is now as Eastern as it is Western. There are over 380 million Christians in Asia.

He says we should “consider the argument of patriotism”. But patriotism to what? To the rich history and culture of Chinese civilisation? Or to its current government, which is rooted in “ Marxism-Leninism”, a Western ideology?

The last thing we need is for Hong Kong to become “just another Chinese city” based on the weak gruel of “post-colonial” theory.

Peter Forsythe, Discovery Bay

Separation of church and state the best way

I am writing in response to the decision to display the Chinese national flag at St John’s Cathedral on October 1, an idea first suggested by the Reverend Canon Peter Koon Ho-ming in May.

Before 1997, it was not customary for local churches to display the Union or Hong Kong colonial flag. The display of the national flag by the pulpit naturally felt odd to some of the congregation.

Are politics and Christianity compatible in modern times? Is it appropriate for the Reverend Canon Peter Koon to be involved in politics as a lawmaker in Hong Kong?

Churches should not get involved in politics because this violates the principle of separation of church and state. Christians should focus on spreading the Gospel to non-believers instead of getting embroiled in matters of governance.

Many Christians in Hong Kong shy away from politics, which they associate with the pursuit of money and power. Pastors tend not to talk about politics in their sermons.

The central government’s Sinicisation campaign for all religions on the mainland is an attempt to bring them under its control. Christian organisations in Hong Kong should think carefully about this, and about the future of freedom of religion.

Pages Ng, Tuen Mun

Do more to instil patriotism in the young

It was very touching to see young people at correctional centres marching smartly and hoisting the national flag on October 1.

I wish our government would arrange more trips for students to explore how amazing China is. I know there are some but what about making them routine?

Only self-improvement and unity can fight off Western prejudice. I also wish the Chinese army stationed here enjoyed more freedom outside their barracks in our city, rather than being cooped up like prisoners.

And what about opening up World War II bomb shelters as museums to help the young understand what my generation went through?

G. Chan, Mid-Levels

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