NO. 2 FOLK RELIGION IN SOUTHWEST CHINA — GRAHAM 21$ 



CONCLUSION 



Some of the conclusions that we draw from our study are as 

 follows : 



1. Primitive ideas and types of thought were very prevalent in 

 the past among the uneducated and unsophisticated Chinese, so that 

 the religion of the common people was very primitive. This is also 

 true of many millions of other people in Asia, Africa, and in other 

 parts of the world. But a new age of enlightenment is now dawning, 

 when primitive customs and types of religion will no longer be ac- 

 ceptable to the people. Religions such as Buddhism and Taoism in 

 China that have based their programs and appeals to the common 

 people on primitive ideals and practices will have to reform radically 

 or lose the allegiance of the people. 



2. Interracial, international, intercultural, and interreligious con- 

 tacts can be of great benefit. Practically every religion has something 

 of value to contribute, and this should be appreciated, evaluated, and 

 made positive use of by all concerned. 



3. Any religious organization sending its representatives or mis- 

 sionaries to another country should aim to send its best. There is 

 great need for religious statesmen today, people who have the best 

 in education, who can give the fairest and best possible interpreta- 

 tion of their own religion, who can see and appreciate the best in 

 other religions and cultures, and who are as willing to learn from 

 others as to teach. Sincere humility does much to disarm opposition. 



In Rangoon in 1940 I had friendly contacts with an Indian Chris- 

 tian, from whom I learned much about Indian art and culture. Once 

 when Gandhi was mentioned I said, "My idea of Gandhi is that he 

 is a man who does not call himself a Christian, but who in some ways 

 is more Christian than I am." Said my Indian friend, "If more mis- 

 sionaries had that attitude, more Indians would become Christians." 



4. In the preparation of religious leaders in the future who are to 

 be missionaries to other peoples and to other cultures, a knowledge 

 of the world's great religions and the history of these religions is 

 very important. Who were the founders? What kind of men were 

 they? What were they aiming at, and what did they teach? Some of 

 these founders — Confucius, Buddha, Li Lao Chiin, the founder of 

 Taoism, and Zoroaster — were great religious leaders with high moral 

 and religious ideas and teachings, but their later followers sometimes 

 failed to maintain their high moral and religious standards. 



5. A knowledge of the psychology of religion, including that of 

 primitive religions, is very helpful. In many parts of the world there 



