hi everyone,

I've been curious about something...since the veneration of ancestors is such a big part of Viet culture...what do Protestant Christians in VN do about that? What can and can't they do? I would think its a bit of a controversy...as Catholics only recently began incorperating that into their services.

I'm also wondering if any of you Tin Lanh people miss venerating ancestors (if you don't do it) and/or feel left out of the general Viet community.

thanks !

bump...is anyone here Protestant and Vietnamese?

From my observation and experience, Vietnamese Christians such as Vietnamese Catholics and Vietnamese Protestants, have family altars in their homes, along with Jesus and Virgin Mary altar.

It is similar to Vietnamese Buddhists who have Buddha and Ba Quan Am along with the family altar.

Please enlighten and educate me if I am wrong and thank you.

thanks...from what i've seen Protestants tended to not have an altar in their home. I'm sure some do, though. But, the Catholics seemed more accepting of traditional things like altars, incense, and the like saying it was only an act of respect and nothing more (ie, they aren't trying to gain favor with their ancestors, etc...)

Anyhoo, I was curious if any one had similar experiences??

I agree that the Protestants (Viets) don't usually have any altar for their ancestors the way the Buddhist Viets would have. However, to say that we should understand the altar in itself is nothing if we don't feel a deep sense of respect to our ancestors. An altar is just a piece of furnisture, unless one feels something for what it represents. Therefore, I don't mind if the Protestant Viets don't have an altar at their home. Many of them reserve the best location of their houses to hang up the pictures of their loved ones who passed away, or remember them in their prayers. If that how they choose to honor their loved one, let them be.