SPLIT-LEVEL CHRISTIANITY IN THAILAND: A SURVEY OF LOCAL THAI BELIEFS AND PRACTICES AMONG THAI CATHOLICS

Article Sidebar

PDF
Published: Jan 10, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59865/prajn.2025.5
Keywords:
Thai Catholicism; syncretism; inculturation; Split-level Christianity

Main Article Content

Sigit Setyo Wibowo
Kajornpat Tangyin

Abstract

Popular religiosity, which involves a mixture of older local beliefs and practices, with newer more universal religious practices, is very common in Thailand. These older beliefs and practices are rooted in animistic beliefs and practices present before the coming of other religious traditions. This phenomena – which is often described as syncretism – has
been well documented with regard to Thai Buddhism. But what has not been investigated is its presence in Thai Catholicism and Christianity. While Thai Catholics confess themselves as Catholics, in their daily lives, they still hold older local Thai beliefs and practices. This paper will consider this phenomenon through the concept of ’split-level Christianity,’ a term coined by Jaime Bulatao. And it will discuss the attempts of the Catholic Church in Thailand to accommodate those local Thai beliefs and practices through various kinds of inculturation.

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 26 No. 1 (2025): January-June 2025
Section
Articles

Consent to Publish and Transfer of Copyright
By publishing in Prajñā Vihāra, the author agrees to transfer and assign to Assumption University of Thailand as the Publisher of the Journal, the copyright to the Article in any form, including any and all rights, interests and claims related to it.

The author does retain the following rights:

  1. The right to make further copies of the published article for their use in classroom teaching.
  2. The right to reuse all or part of the published article in a compilation of his or her own works or in textbooks of which they are the author or coauthor.
  3. The right to make copies of the published article for internal distribution within their academic institution.
  4. All proprietary rights other than copyright, such as patent rights.
The author must also guarantee that:
  1. The Article is his or her original work, and has not been published previously and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere.
  2. It does not contain any matter that is obscene, libelous, or contrary to law.
  3. They have obtained the necessary license or written authority and paid any and all related fees for the use and reproduction of text, tables, illustrations and other copyrighted work from the owners of the intellectual property rights, and can furnish the Publisher copies of the license/written authority and proof of payment of related fees upon the signing of this Agreement.
  4. They have the consent of the Co-Authors of the article upon the signing of this Agreement.
  5. In the event that they intend to republish, reprint or translate all or part of the Article in other publications, they will secure the prior written permission from the journal Editor.

Prajñā Vihāra adopts the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY-NC-ND) license

References

Amaladoss, Michael. "Double Religious Identity: Is it Possible? Is it Necessary? The Indian Experience." Vidyajyoti: Journal of Theological Reflection. 73, no. 7 (July 2009): 519-532.

Angsumethangkur, Dusadee. "Catholicism and Thailand: A Review Article."

Inter-Religio. 11 (Summer 1987): 8-19.

Bulatao, Jaime. Split-Level Christianity. Manila: Ateneo de Manila University, 1966.

Bunchua, Kirti. Contextual Religions. Bangkok: Assumption University, 1994.

Divarkar, Parmananda R. "The Encounter of the Gospel with Culture." FABC Papers. No. 7. Hong Kong: FABC., 1978.

Eliade, Mircea. Myth and Reality. Willard R. Trask. (Trans.). New York and Evanston: Harper & Row, Publishers. 1963.

Froldi, Dina. The Local Parishioners, the Italian Missionaries and ‘Thainess’: The Everyday Practice and Conflicts of Inculturation in a Catholic Parish in Northern Thailand. MA Thesis. The University of Leeds, 2020.

Hiebert, Paul G., R. Daniel Shaw, Tite Tienou. Understanding Folk Religion: A Christian Response to Popular Beliefs and Practices. Michigan: Baker Books, 1999.

Hiebert, Paul G., R. Daniel Shaw, Tite Tienou. Responding to Split-Level Christianity and Folk Religion. International Journal of Frontier Missions. 16, vol 4 (Winter 1999/2000): 173-182.

Jackson, Peter A. Capitalism Magic Thailand: Modernity with Enchantment. Singapore: ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute, 2022.

Kriengkraipetch, Suvanna. "Folksong and Socio-Cultural Change in Village Life. In Siraporn Nathalang." (Ed.). Thai Folklore Insights into Thai Culture. Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University Press, 2000: 143-168.

Kriengkraipetch, Suvanna. Thai Folk Beliefs about Animals and Plants and Attitudes toward Nature. In Siraporn Nathalang. (Ed.). Thai Folklore Insights into Thai Culture. Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University Press, 2000: 169-188.

Kroeger, James H. "Dialogue: Interpretive Key for the Life of the Church in Asia." FABC Papers. No. 130. Hong Kong: FABC., 2010.

Kroeger, James H. Asia’s Dynamic Local Churches: Serving Dialogue and Mission. Manila: Kadena Press Foundation-Asia, 2014.

London, Ellen. Thailand Condensed: 2000 Years of History and Culture. Singapore: Marshall, 2008.

Nathalang, Siraporn. "Conflict and Compromise between the Indigenous beliefs and Buddhism as Reflected in Thai Rice Myths." In Siraporn Nathalang. (Ed.). Thai Folklore Insights into Thai Culture. Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University Press, 2000: 99-113.

Pallegoix, Jean-Baptiste. Description of the Thai Kingdom or Siam: Thailand under King Mongkut. Walter E. J. Tips. (Trans). Bangkok: White Lotus, 2000.

Paul II, Pope John. Apostolic Exhortation: Catechesi Tradendae. Vatican, 1979. https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_16101979_catechesi-tradendae.html

Rajadhon, Phya Anuman. Essays on Thai Folklore. Bangkok: Thai Inter-Religious Commission for Development & Sathirakoses Nagapradipa Foundation, 1988.

Rosa, Frederico Delgado. Edward Tylor’s Animism and Its Intellectual Aftermath. In Tiddy Smith. (Ed.). Animism and Philosophy of Religion. Gewerbestrasse: Palgrave Macmillan, 2023: 63-94.

Saran, Malini and Vinod C. Khanna. The Ramayana in Indonesia. Delhi: Ravi Dayal Publisher, 2004.

Sprenger, Guido. "Dimensions of Animism in Southeast Asia." in Kaj Arhem and Guido Sprenger. (Ed.). Animism in Southeast Asia. London and New York: Routledge, 2016: 31-54.

Srichampa, Sophana. Thai Amulets: Symbol of the Practice of Multi-faiths and Cultures. In Pranee Liamputtong. (Ed.). Contemporary Socio-Cultural and Political Perspectives in Thailand. London: Springer, 2014: 49-64.

Tylor, Edward B. Researches into the Development of Mythology, Philosophy, Religion, Art, and Custom. London: John Murray, 1871.