RELIGION AND CUSTOM
All temples are required to be registered under the Chinese Temples Ordinance. The Chinese Temples Committee manages some 40 public temples and the income, from donations by worshippers, is used for preservation and restoration not only of public temples but also privately-owned ones of historical value. Most of the large temples and monasteries are open to the public.
Each temple is dedicated to one or two deities enshrined in the main hall, with side halls housing subsidiary deities. Since Buddhism and Taoism are both accepted as traditional Chinese religions, Buddhist and Taoist deities are often honoured together within one temple. Leading deities include Buddha, Kwun Yum (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy), and Lui Cho (a Taoist god).
There is also a diversity of deified mortals traditionally worshipped as a result of their performance of actual or mythical feats. Foremost among these is Tin Hau, the Queen of Heaven and Protectress of Seafarers, worshipped originally by the fishing population but now by others in the community as well, reflecting Hong Kong's dependence on fishing and on sea trade. There are at least 24 Tin Hau Temples in Hong Kong, the most famous being the one in Joss House Bay, which is visited by tens of thousands of worshippers each year at Tin Hau Festival on the 23rd day of the third month.
Other deified mortals include Kwan Tai, the God of War and Righteousness; Pak Tai, Lord of the North and Patron of Cheung Chau Island; Hung Shing, God of the South Seas and a weather prophet, and Wong Tai Sin, a Taoist deity, in whose honour a temple built 69 years ago in north-eastern Kowloon in traditional Chinese architectural style enjoys great popularity. Dedicated to the Gods of Literary Attainment and Martial Valour, the Man Mo Temple in Hollywood Road on Hong Kong Island, run by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, a charitable organisation, is also very popular. The Che Kung Temple at Sha Tin in the New Territories, dedicated to a general in the Sung Dynasty, is visited by tens of thousands of worshippers during Chinese New Year.
Protestant Community
The presence of the Protestant community dates back to 1841. In the 150 years since the first Protestant church came into being, the community has grown to 285 000 in 832 congregations that comprise 52 denominations and independent churches. The Baptists. form the largest denomination followed by the Lutherans. Other major denominations are Adventists, Anglicans, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Church of Christ in China (representing the Presbyterian and Congregational traditions), Methodists and Pente- costals. With their emphasis on youth work, many congregations have a high pro- portion of young people. Since the seventies, the number of independent churches has increased significantly due to the strong evangelical zeal of lay Christians.
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The Protestant churches are also deeply involved in education, health care and social welfare. Protestant organisations operate three post-secondary colleges Chung Chi College at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist College and Lingnan College. They run 122 secondary schools, 141 primary schools and 146 kindergartens. In addition, they operate 13 theological seminaries and Bible institutes, 16 Christian publishing houses and 57 Christian book shops.
They run seven hospitals with 2 091 beds, 24 clinics and 61 social service organisations that provide a wide range of social services including 108 community and youth centres, 35 day care centres, eight children's homes, 20 homes for the elderly, 45 elderly centres, three
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