I've touched on before about the various reasons that Taiwanese usually choose to convert or at least try out Christianity. I've also spoken about how for the most part churches here only teach the "good" parts about religion and don't tell the "bad" parts or the many rules you have to live by under that religion.
One question I have learned not to ask Taiwanese christians is, "what denomination are you?" This is not because of any conceived rudeness, but rather because nobody knows. Most everybody in Taiwan, including Christians themselves, seem to think that all Christianity is the same, and have no idea that there are different denominations. Actually even though I have some issue with their actions in Taiwan, Mormons seem to be the only branch of christianity in which Taiwanese know they are Mormons and that it is different from other forms of Christianity. Granted I know that there is a debate about whether Mormonism is even Christianity or not, but I'll leave that for you to argue on your own.
Getting back on track, it's somewhat surprising to see that most Taiwanese and even most Taiwanese Christians don't know that there are different denominations. It's surprising because not only are there so many churches in Taiwan, but it seems like each different denomination is represented in Taiwan. The major ones are here, but there are also smaller ones that I had to look up. There are also what I call "local flavoring" Christian churches here, where they take Christianity but mix it with Chinese Buddhism and/or other areas of Taiwanese culture. Similar to how western foods are changed a bit here to better appeal to Taiwanese tastes.
The picture above if of a rather large church that is across the street from Taiwan's premier university. As such it's rather popular with school age kids. This church I believe also holds special events, as sometimes I will walk by and see huge lines in front. So either that, their normal services are incredibly popular.
The one sad thing about this church, is that it reminds me that for as many different denominations as I've seen in Taiwan, I've yet to see an Anabaptist church. Growing up in the states, I'm bored of Christianity. That's not to say that their aren't many interesting and fascinating stories (more so about the different groups and the tribulations they went through, rather than the actual religious beliefs). But growing up in America means that for the most part I've heard them all, over and over again. I'm much more interested in other religions and their beliefs and stories. However I must admit that I enjoy the story of the Anabaptist. It's probably the only branch of Christianity where I'd actually like to sit down and talk with somebody about the history of their particular religion. Granted this is probably because while there are groups which descended from the Anabaptist, there are no longer any strictly Anabaptist left in the world. That is until somebody starts an Anabaptist church in Taiwan.
