To view in English, please scroll down to the bottom.
2020年台灣國民黨候選人郭台銘為了競選總統進了教會。他在台北新店行道會說：「上帝的力量在幫助我。」當時，牧師除了送給他一個十字架之外，還為他禱告，郭台銘也以相同的熱誠，高舉了右手，誠心領受牧師的祝福。他誠懇地表示：「求上帝賜給我他的智慧，給我人才，讓我在有生之年幫助中華民國更富強。我真的深深地相信，上帝愛我、愛我們、愛台灣」頓時，台下熱絡的「阿們」聲此起彼落。接著，2021年台灣教會網路瘋傳了一段消息，說：「郭台銘上週日在新店行道會，由張茂松牧師為他受浸，成為神國兒女。上帝親自分開他的生命紅海，帶他進入流奶與蜜的迦南美地。真是可喜可賀！」結果，經過查證，教會正式宣布證明此為網路假消息。為此，許多牧者紛紛在社交媒體上公開指責基督徒應該要學習謹慎查驗各種消息，不要隨便散播謠言，造成無辜者的傷害與不必要的煩擾。
無論是國內外，一般來說，最受歡迎的媒體報導不外乎是明星的小道消息和他們隱私的洩漏的流言。把名人的八卦當作茶餘飯後的話題是一件非常普遍的事。由於好奇心的驅使，大家對傳奇人物的內幕消息特別感興趣，從街頭巷尾到網上留言，加上包裝渲染，讓大眾有個閑言閑語的共同話題，不亦樂乎 。傳播假消息固然不道德，但更深層的問題是，為什麼郭台銘信耶穌會在台灣教會圈內會造成如此大的轟動呢？以名氣來說，郭台銘是鴻海科技集團的創辦人，是鼎鼎大名的企業家。以財富來說，他的富商身分廣為人知，他財產的數目多到令人望塵莫及，甚至比前美國總統川普的財富還多上好幾倍，可是他信耶穌值得大肆宣傳嗎？
台灣基督教媒體一向對名人基督徒特別熱衷。舉以下報導為例：
世界網球男子單打冠軍，「英俊少年張培德，改寫了美國網球歷史。猶如聖經中少年大衛擊敗巨人歌利亞一樣，擊敗了所有高他一頭的網球高手（摘自 https://aries.dyu.edu.tw/~cosh/charpter/tepeichang.htm）
NBA籃球名將：「林書豪榮耀給上帝….引約翰福音自勉順逆境聆聽主聲音」(基督教論壇報）
另外：
「台灣 “網球一哥”…朝著標竿直跑，讓盧彥勳在逆境中始終不放棄的動力，就是基督信仰…」（基督教論壇報）
還有：
「詹詠然再度與妹妹詹皓晴組合出征世大運….以全勝之姿闖進金牌冠軍戰….前(2015)年4月，姐妹倆和母親一起受洗成為基督徒。」（基督教今日報）
讀者會不會好奇，如果在這些高頭大馬的「哥利亞」裡，有基督徒的話，要如何解釋張培德是靠上帝戰勝的？如果世運姐妹最終沒有受洗，他們勝利的消息會被基督教媒體報導嗎？未將榮耀歸給上帝的基督徒得獎主是不是就得不到媒體報導？除了運動界，影藝屆能為基督教誇口的更多：
「第58屆戲劇金鐘獎頒獎典禮，眾多基督徒獲獎時，都相信創作來源，皆來自上帝…在台上不諱言地感謝上帝…第59屆金馬獎頒獎典禮…其中，獲得最佳女配角獎的林詹珍妹以及獲得最佳原創電影歌曲獎的周興哲，都在台上真情流露高舉主名榮耀歸主。曾公開自己是基督徒身分的黃秋生，則在拿下金馬影帝之後，將手指天，表達他對主的感謝。」（基督教論壇報)
台灣是一個宗教自由的國家，因此選擇宗教信仰是一個中性的決定。也就是說，當一個人選擇某個信仰時，既不值得讚揚，也不值得毁謗。非同於明星外遇，婚姻出軌，跟小三生孩子等等的緋聞；也非同於明星得了奧斯卡金像獎值得慶賀的喜信。 因此，信耶穌竟然可以成為八卦，這可能值得檢討，值得進一步探討為何它會造成轟動？是誰將這個假新聞炒熱的？誰最熱衷這類的新聞？
有史以來，政治圈人物為了要博得民心，爭取人民支持及選票而赴湯蹈火的例子比比皆是。光看美國歷屆總統選舉就知道，在競選期間，總是會看到這些總統候選人曝光在媒體之下，手持著聖經，跟家人虔誠地坐在教會裡敬拜上帝，聆聽牧師講道的景象。因此郭台銘如此做，其實並不是件新鮮事。新鮮的是，當一個名人成為「神家庭的一份子」時，教會圈為之慶賀的程度似乎遠比平民百姓成為基督徒強烈的太多了。假設，今天菜市場賣魚的太太進了教會，基督教媒體十之八九興趣缺缺，不會有動靜的。這倒無所謂，畢竟她是無名小卒。但基督徒或許就不應該號稱，他們視每個靈魂同樣寶貴。路加福音15章裡的九十九隻羊、婦人的十塊錢及有名的浪子回頭比喻都下了一個結論：「一個罪人悔改，在神的使者面前也是這樣，為他歡喜。」對這種不平衡現象可能有幾種解釋的方法：
第一，基督教圈裡可能隱藏著一個「階級制度」，顯出知名度越高的人信耶穌，慶賀性越高。也就是說雖然基督徒口口聲聲說人人平等，但套用George Orwell（喬治.歐威爾) Animal Farm「動物農莊」裡的一句名言: “Some are more equal than others.”（譯：有些人比其他人更平等）。撫心自問，在這個世界上能真正用平等的眼光對待所有的人是非常罕見的，基督徒也不例外。
第二，基督徒自我形象的問題。當一個人自尊下降的時候，他對自己的信念往往會把持不住，因為他總覺得別人的想法比自己的好。所以當一個紅人對基督教信仰篤信不移時，他可以幫助信心不夠堅定的基督徒得到肯定感。因為他們的結論是：「名人的選擇應該錯不了。」在這種情況下，基督徒就不是用自己的判斷力來接受這個信仰，而是借助名人來肯定自己的信仰。
第三，名人打造基督教形象最方便。也就是說，有什麼比利用名人的聲望更有效地宣揚你的議程呢？what can be more effective than riding on somebody’s fame to preach your agenda? 名人已經攀上台階最高點了，不需再費力為他打造成更紅的形象。他說什麼都像聖旨一樣，只要一開口說他喜歡某本書，這本書馬上成為排行首榜暢銷書；他只要一穿某個設計師的衣裝，這位服裝設計師所設計的產品馬上成為大家所追求的時髦對象。相同的，如果郭台銘信耶穌了，他都不用替基督教打廣告就已經比葛理翰牧師開的萬人佈道會更厲害了！（參部落格：佈道策略）因此每次一有名人公開自己的基督教信仰，一定馬上會有基督教媒體趁機大作文章。就如提摩太後書四章二節，「無論得時不得時」，只要能把福音廣傳出去，打火趁熱，就算犧牲了消息的正確度，好像也成了次要。
第四，競爭心。佛教證嚴法師說：「愛心行善要普及天下，人飢己飢，人溺己溺，是同體大悲的慈濟行…」很多時候基督教界知道自己的人力財力經歷對慈善界的付出與佛教相比，真是鞭長莫及。因此無形中產生了一種競爭心態。牧者常鼓勵基督徒不要 “輸給”佛教徒，要記得為耶穌作鹽作光。其實郭台銘在很多其他場合把關公跟媽祖都抱出來助陣，但基督教媒體對他這種行為隻字不提，是唯恐分散了基督徒的注意力，怕拿香高舉過耶穌的號召力嗎？反過來看，似乎沒有見到佛教媒體為郭台銘去廟裡拜拜的事大作炫耀。
第五，怕自己說服力不夠，就把名人請上場，列入名單，讓基督教陣容更堅強。請看一下一些基督教媒體的標題：
-上帝是連「最偉大科學家」都無法否認的存在（基督教今日報）
-宋美齡：基督徒第一夫人(christianitytoday.com)
-金曲獎史上超多！五位基督徒歌手囊括六大獎，大展神榮耀（基督教今日報）
-基督教歌手張信哲：與神有著親密的關係（靈感中國）….等等不在此一一列舉
第六，能夠和名人稱兄道弟成為自己的榮耀。以前郭台銘是高不可攀的國際級企業家，一旦他成為基督徒，他就變成自己的兄弟，家庭的一份子了。這多多少少有點臉上貼金的意味。名人的成功變成基督徒的成功，就像自己養出來的孩子出了頭一樣。
不管是什麼原因讓這些名人上了媒體，最明顯的是，熱衷於這類新聞的，不外乎是基督教圈。在一般的媒體裡面看不到這種報導，因為這種消息對非基督徒大眾而言，既沒有絲毫的吸引力，對他們的生活更沒有任何影響。這個現象又引起了一種很不健康的狀態，就是這一件假消息大旋風只有在基督徒的小俱樂部裡面打轉（參部落格：排外）。慶賀一旦過去了，就是失望；失望過去了，就是指責；指責之後就是檢討。當基督徒在借用名人為自己的圈子打名氣的同時，名人基督徒的醜聞一波接一波，排山倒海對基督教施予更大的破壞力，基督教又馬上大聲宣告，這是「惡者的勢力」「屬靈爭戰」。這種惡性循環，一輪接一輪不斷延續下去。
如果基督教是一個健康真實的宗教，是不是不需要靠名人來當作他的支柱，當作他的推銷或是動力？好的東西，大家自然會團結來維護他。真理永遠長存，不會怕被推翻。基督教何苦要把郭台銘拉進來這團不必要的污水呢？
Terry Gou became a Christian!
In 2020, Terry Gou, the candidate from the Kuomintang in Taiwan, went to church as part of his presidential campaign. At a church in Shindian, Taipei, he said, "The power of God is helping me." At the time, in addition to giving him a cross, the pastor prayed for him, and Gou, with equal fervor, raised his right hand and sincerely received the pastor's blessing. He earnestly stated, "I pray that God grants me His wisdom and talents, so that I can help make the Republic of China stronger and more prosperous in my lifetime. I truly deeply believe that God loves me, loves us, loves Taiwan." Instantly, celebratorial chorus of “Amen” rises and falls."the congregation's enthusiastically "Amens" echoed in the church. Then, in 2021, a message widely circulated among Taiwan's church networks claimed, "Last Sunday, Terry Gou was baptized by Pastor Maosong Chang at the Sindian church, becoming a child of the Kingdom of God. God personally parted the Red Sea of his life, leading him into the Canaan of milk and honey. Truly a cause for celebration!" However, upon verification, the church officially announced this to be fake news. Consequently, many pastors publicly criticized on social media that Christians should learn to carefully verify news and not to spread rumors recklessly, to avoid causing harm to the innocent and unnecessary disturbances.
Both domestically and internationally, the most popular gossip usually involves celebrities' personal lives and leaked rumors. It's very common to discuss celebrities' gossip in leisure time. Driven by curiosity, people are particularly interested in the inside stories of legendary figures. From the streets to online comments, embellished stories provide a common topic for idle chatter, much to everyone's delight. Spreading false information is certainly unethical, but the deeper question is, why did Terry Gou's conversion to Christianity cause such a sensation within the Taiwanese church community? In terms of fame, Terry Gou is the founder of Foxconn Technology Group, a renowned entrepreneur. As for wealth, his status as a wealthy businessman is well known, with a fortune that dwarfs that of former U.S. President Trump by several times. But is his conversion to Christianity really worth such publicity?
Taiwanese Christian media has always been particularly enthusiastic about celebrity Christians. Take the following reports as examples:
World Men's Singles Tennis Champion, "The handsome young Michael Te-pei Chang has rewritten American tennis history. Just like the biblical young David defeating the giant Goliath, he defeated all the taller tennis masters (excerpted from https://aries.dyu.edu.tw/~cosh/charpter/tepeichang.htm).
NBA basketball star: "Jeremy Lin gives glory to God... drawing from the Gospel of John to encourage himself to listen to the Lord's voice in both good times and bad" (Christian Forum Report).
Additionally: "Taiwan's 'Number One Tennis Player'... running towards the goal, the driving force that keeps Yen-Hsun Lu from giving up in adversity is his Christian faith..." (Christian Forum Report).
And: "Yung-Jan Chan and her sister Chan Hao-Ching Chan team up again to compete in the Universiade... advancing to the gold medal match with a record of all wins... In April 2015, the sisters and their mother were baptized and became Christians." (Christian Today Report).
One might wonder, if there were Christians among these towering "Goliaths," how would one explain that Michael Chang's victory was due to God? If the Chan sisters had not been baptized, would their victory still have been reported by the Christian media? Would Christian athletes who do not give glory to God still receive media coverage?
Beyond the sports world, the entertainment industry has even more to boast about for Christianity:
"At the 58th Golden Bell Awards ceremony, many Christians who won awards believed their creative inspiration came from God... openly thanking God on stage... At the 59th Golden Horse Awards... among them, Chien-Jen Lin, who won the Best Supporting Actress award, and Eric Chou, who won the Best Original Film Song award, both sincerely lifted up the name of the Lord and gave glory to God on stage. Anthony Wong, who has publicly identified as a Christian, pointed to the sky to express his thanks to the Lord after winning the Golden Horse Award for Best Actor." (Christian Forum Report)
Taiwan is a country of religious freedom, so choosing a religious belief is a neutral decision. That is, when someone chooses a particular faith, it is neither commendable nor condemnable. Unlike scandals such as celebrity affairs, marriage infidelity, having children with a mistress, and unlike the joyous news of winning an Oscar, therefore, it's worth examining and discussing why believing in Jesus can become gossip and why it causes such a sensation. Who is hyping up this fake news? Who is most keen on this kind of news?
Throughout history, there have been countless examples of political figures trying to win the hearts of the people at all costs, seeking public support and votes. Just looking at the presidential elections in the United States, during the campaign period, it's always seen that these presidential candidates are exposed in the media, holding the Bible, devoutly sitting in church with their families worshiping God, listening to the pastor preach. Thus, Terry Gou's actions are not unprecedented. What is new is the extent to which the church community celebrates when a celebrity becomes "a part of God's family" seems far stronger than when ordinary people become Christians. Suppose, today a lady selling fish in the market enters the church, the Christian media would likely show little interest, with no media footage. This is fine, after all, she is a nobody. But perhaps Christians should not claim that they see every soul as equally precious. The parables in Luke 15 of the ninety-nine sheep, the woman's ten silver coins, and the famous prodigal son all conclude with: "In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels over one sinner who repents." There could be several ways to interpret this phenomenon:
First, there might be a hidden "caste system" within the Christian community, indicating that the more famous someone is for believing in Jesus, the higher the celebration. In other words, although Christians vocally advocate for equality, to apply George Orwell’s famous line from Animal Farm, “Some are more equal than others.” It's worth asking oneself, treating everyone with true equality in this world is very rare, Christians included.
Second, the issue of Christians' self-image. When someone's self-esteem is low, they often struggle to hold onto their beliefs because they feel others' opinions are more valuable than their own. Therefore, when a celebrity firmly believes in Christianity, they can help Christians with weaker faith feel affirmed. Their conclusion is: “A celebrity’s choice can’t be wrong.” In this case, Christians are not accepting their faith through their own judgment but are using celebrities to affirm their beliefs.
Third, celebrities are the most convenient way to shape Christianity’s image. What can be more effective than riding on somebody’s fame to preach your agenda? Celebrities are already at the pinnacle of fame, no need to work harder to make them more popular. Whatever they say is taken as a decree; just mentioning they like a book can make it an instant bestseller; wearing a designer’s clothes can turn that designer into a fashion icon overnight. Similarly, if Terry Gou believes in Jesus, he doesn’t even need to advertise for Christianity to be more effective than a revival meeting led by Billy Graham! (Refer to the blog: Evangelical Strategies) Therefore, whenever a celebrity publicly shares their Christian faith, Christian media quickly capitalize on it. As 2 Timothy 4:2 says, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season,” to spread the gospel by any means, even if it sacrifices the accuracy of the news, seems to become secondary.
Fourth, a competitive spirit. Buddhist Master Cheng Yen said: “Charity should be universal. When others are hungry, we are hungry; when others are in peril, we are too. This is the great compassion of Tzu Chi ( note: a Taiwanese Buddhist foundation) …” Often, the Christian community realizes its contributions to charity pale in comparison to Buddhism in terms of manpower and financial resources, creating a competitive mindset. Pastors often encourage Christians not to be “outdone” by Buddhists and to remember to be the salt and light for Jesus. Terry Gou has also rallied support from Guan Gong and Mazu (Taiwanese, god and goddess) in various other contexts, but Christian media do not mention this, fearing it might distract Christians, possibly because they fear the appeal of these figures might overshadow Jesus? Conversely, there seems to be no boastful coverage by Buddhist media of Terry Gou visiting temples.
Fifth, fearing their own persuasive power is insufficient, Christians enlist celebrities, adding them to the roster to strengthen Christianity's lineup. Look at some of the headlines in Christian media:
-God is an existence even "the greatest scientists" cannot deny (Christian Today Report)
- Mei-ling Song: The First Lady Christian (christianitytoday.com)
-An unprecedented number in Golden Melody Awards history! Five Christian singers win six major awards, showcasing God's glory (Christian Today Report)—Christian singer Jeff Chang: Having an intimate relationship with God (Inspiration China)... and so on, too numerous to list here.
Sixth, being able to call celebrities "brother" and make them part of one’s glory. Before, Terry Gou was an untouchable international businessman on a pedestal, but once he became a Christian, he turned into a brother, a member of the family. This somewhat adds luster to one's face. A celebrity's success becomes the success of Christians, as if one’s own child has made a name for themselves.
Regardless of the reasons these celebrities make the news, it's clear that the keenest interest in such news comes from within the Christian circle. This type of reporting is not seen in mainstream media because, to the non-Christian public, it holds no allure and has no impact on their lives. This phenomenon leads to an unhealthy state where this fake news whirlwind spins only within the Christian "club" (Refer to the blog: Exclusivity). Once the celebration is over, comes disappointment; after disappointment, comes blame; after blaming, comes review. While Christians use celebrities to gain fame for their circle, scandals involving celebrity Christians come one after another, inflicting greater damage on Christianity, which is then loudly proclaimed as “the enemy’s force” or “spiritual warfare.” Thus, this vicious cycle continues.
If Christianity is a healthy and true religion, does it need celebrities as its pillars, as its means of promotion or motivation? Good things naturally unite people to protect them. The truth always prevails and is not afraid of being overturned. Why should Christianity unnecessarily drag Terry Gou into this murky water?
Comments