Do someone know the history why so many Chinese Indonesians follow Christianity, unlike in other Asian countries (except Philippines)?
I think it have something to do with Indonesian colonial history.
During VOC and Dutch East Indies era the colonials separate Dutch East Indies society in three stratified groups:
1. European colonials: all caucasian ancestry European that lives in Indies. They are the uppermost elites in Dutch East Indies society, enjoy rights and previlege more than other groups. To some extent the Indos (mixed European-Indonesian) enjoyed almost European Caucasian rights.
2. Foreign Asians: This group mainly consist of Chinese immigrants, Indians and Arabs. Usually urban, act as middlemen in trades between European and Native Indonesian.
3. Native Indonesian (Pribumi): Native villagers and peasants is the lowermost in stratified Dutch East Indies society. The nobles and "ningrat" or "bangsawan" in traditional community however, enjoys better social status and access to education in Dutch East Indies.
Traditionally Chinese immigranst to Southeast Asia are Buddhist, Tao, or Confucianist.
Regarding the social fabrics and stratifications of Colonial Dutch East Indies, of course Chinese immigrants wish their sons to have better educations and elevated social status. Thus, instead of putting their sons in traditional Chinese school, many of them choose Catholics and Christians schools (which actually at that time provides better educations). Many of the upper elites in Chinese society began to identify themself more to western culture, since 18th century Colonial Indies, western culture is the sign of progress, upper class and sophistication, and could lead them to better opportunity, carrer, economy, and better education for their sons. So large numbers of Chinese in colonial states usually embrace Christianity, as it bring them closer to European overlord status.
Oh yeah.., plus Christianity and Islam are two of the most active religions that promote their faith through proselytizing . Buddhism and Hinduism, let alone Judaism are not active proselityzer...
Originally Posted by Ilham 