ENG-2007 — Page 426

362 Religion and Custom

education, poverty alleviation and medical care on the Mainland, and assist in the building and repair of a number of Taoist temples there.

Confucianism

Confucianism is the belief in the teachings of Confucius and the subsequent ru school of thoughts. Confucius lived in ancient China from 551 to 479 BC. His teachings are based on a moral code for human relations, which emphasises the importance of tradition and rites. He was one of the world's most eminent thinkers, a great sage and educator whose philosophy deeply influenced the political, economic and social systems of China through the ages. He is also hailed as an exemplary mentor. The Analects of Confucius, a collection of his philosophical sayings, is the Bible for Confucianism. Other important ancient books and records include the Six Classics, namely the Book of Changes, the Book of History, the Book of Songs, the Book of Rites, the Book of Music and the Spring and Autumn Annals. Confucianism's main feast day is Confucius's birthday on the 27th day of the eighth lunar month. On October 7, Confucius's birthday, in 2007, the Confucian Academy held the Confucius Worshipping Ritual at the Hong Kong Stadium. It was the largest ceremony of its kind held in Hong Kong.

Christianity

The Christian community comprising mainly Protestants and Roman Catholics numbers about 660 000 people (including 102 000 Filipino Catholics). The Protestant, Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches maintain a spirit of fellowship with the Hong Kong Christian Council, the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia (based in Hong Kong) and the Roman Catholic Diocese. They get together on special occasions.

Protestant Community

The Protestant movement in Hong Kong began in 1841 and has a current membership of 320 000 followers. The Protestant community is composed of more than 50 denominations within 1 400 congregations. Most of the major international denominations and former mission agencies have ecclesial branches in Hong Kong, such as the

the Adventist, Anglican, Baptist, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Evangelical Free, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, and Salvation Army. There are also many indigenous denominations such as The Church of Christ in China (representing Presbyterian and Congregational traditions), the True Jesus Church and the Local Church (commonly known as the Little Flock) in Hong Kong.

The Protestant community runs three post-secondary institutions: the Chung Chi College of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University and Lingnan University. It also runs more than 630 schools (273 kindergarten, 206 primary schools and 160 secondary schools) and 116 nurseries. In addition, it operates more than 35 theological seminaries/Bible schools, 30 Christian publishing houses and 70 Christian bookstores. There are two Christian weekly newspapers, the Christian Times and Christian Weekly, which present news and comment from a Christian perspective, half a dozen Christian media agencies which broadcast Christian TV