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Religion and Custom | 369

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.

Confucian organisations in Hong Kong include The Confucian Academy and the Confucius Hall. The Confucian Academy was founded by Dr Chen Huan-Chang with a group of Confucian scholars in Hong Kong in 1930. The academy strives to achieve its objectives of manifesting Confucian values and promoting education to foster a community with moral betterment.

In addition to promulgating Confucianism by successive presidents and knowledgeable scholars all over the world, the academy organised different academic activities and published Confucian books and magazines to spread the Confucius culture around the world. The academy has also initiated the building of the first Commemoration Hall of Confucius in Hong Kong.

Christianity

The Christian community

comprising mainly Protestants and Roman Catholics. numbers about 670 000 followers. 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 about 320 000 followers. The Protestant community is composed of more than 50 denominations with about 1 500 congregations. Most of the major international denominations and former mission agencies have ecclesial branches in Hong Kong, such as 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.