RELIGION AND CUSTOM
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A total of 42 public temples are managed by the Chinese Temples Committee. Income from donations by worshippers is used for the preservation and restoration of not only public temples but also privately-owned ones of historical value. Surplus funds are distributed for charitable purposes.
Each temple is dedicated to one or two deities whose images are enshrined in the main hall, with side halls housing images of subsidiary gods. 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 who are revered in recognition of their feats or deeds. Foremost of 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 trade by sea. There are over 20 Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong. The most famous of these is at Joss House Bay and is visited by tens of thousands of worshippers each year during the Tin Hau Festival, which falls on the 23rd day of the third moon.
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 weather prophet; and Wong Tai Sin, a Taoist deity. The Wong Tai Sin temple in northeastern Kowloon enjoys great popularity. Dedicated to the gods of literary attainment and martial valour, Man Mo Temple in Hollywood Road on Hong Kong Island is also very popular. It is run by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, a charitable organisation. Other notable temples include the Che Kung Temple at Sha Tin in the New Territories, which is dedicated to a Sung Dynasty general; and the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, where the world's largest outdoor bronze statue of Buddha, the Tian Tan Buddha, is found.
The Protestant Community
The presence of the Protestant community dates back to 1841. In the 153 years since the first Protestant church came into being, the community has grown to 260 000 in over 950 congregations which comprise over 50 denominations and a large number of independent churches. The Baptists form the largest denomination, followed by the Lutherans. Other major denominations are the Adventist, Anglican, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Church of Christ in China (representing the Presbyterian and Congregational traditions), Methodist and Pentecostal. With their emphasis on youth work, many congregations have a high proportion of young people. Since the 1970s, the number of independent churches has increased significantly due to the strong evangelical zeal of lay Christians.
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 University and Lingnan College. They run 131 secondary schools, 141 primary schools and 143 kindergartens. In addition, they operate 13 theological seminaries and Bible institutes, 16 Christian publishing houses and 57 Christian bookshops.
They run seven hospitals with 3 463 beds, 24 clinics and 61 social service organisations which provide a wide range of social services. These including 221 community, family service and youth centres, 72 day care centres, eight children's homes, 27 homes for the