ABSTRACT
Religion is thriving in Taiwan. Political candidates sometimes secure their promises by publicly beheading a cock, thus making their oath directly to the gods. New temples have popped up everywhere; many are unlicensed, but the government has problems closing them because no workers are willing to tear them down. When Wang Yong-ch’ing, one of Taiwan’s largest industrialists, visited Mai-liao (Yun-lin county) in 1991 to head off local environmental protests against his proposed construction of a naphtha cracker, he went first to make offerings (and monetary gifts) to the leading local temples. Buddhist clergy often preach for hours on television, and movies about various gods and temples are frequent. These examples attest to the health of religion in Taiwan and to the ways in which it is embedded in everyday life.
