Ghost Month

The seventh lunar month is considered ghost month.  This time of year is believed to be where hell is opened for the dead to return and wander amongst the living at previous residences, workplaces, liked restaurants, gathering places, etc.  Most people in Taiwan have a fear based preparation for the returning ghosts which includes large offerings of food, drinks, beer, chips, cookies, fruit, rice, cooking oil, or other edible things which are placed on tables at the front doors of personal residences and workplaces or temples.  Spirit money is also purchased for burning throughout the month to pass wealth to the spirit world.  As well as the use of incense to attract the ghost to the offerings.  If the ghosts are pleased with the offerings, they will divert any negative action from the worshipping area.

Superstitious fear also affects many other common areas of life.  Many families avoid moving to a new house, weddings are postponed, medical procedures are rescheduled, and beach vacations are not planned.  Being outside at night is also often believed to invite possible aggression from ghosts.  Others try to take advantage of the increase in ghost activity by attempting to contact spirits through mediums for fortunes or even lucky lottery numbers.

I am reminded of the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31.  Here the rich man pleads to have someone go and tell his family of the torments he is experiencing in hell so they may possibly avoid such a horrible torment.  Abraham responded to the rich man, “They have the Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them,” and “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.”   Similarly, later, when the women went to the tomb of Jesus and two angels spoke to them in front of the empty tomb, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here, but has risen…”

Please pray Taiwanese Christians will continue to be a living example to their family and friends of who Jesus is.  Also pray that more Taiwanese will humbly look to the living God for his provision of salvation for our offensive sins with repentant fear and hope, rather than attempts to please many gods with perishable offerings to avoid possible temporary misfortunes.