A TEMPLE AT ITS CROSSROADS: A STUDY OF CHANGE AND STRUGGLE IN A TAOIST TEMPLE IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

This thesis investigates the struggle of a Taoist spirit medium temple, Poh Ann Keng, to 'rationalize' its organisational and religious practices as it faces the threat of eviction. 'Rationalization' is generally understood as the incorporation of changes in religious practices in order to bring about better organizational set-ups and differentiation of religious meanings. The strategy of rationalisation is commonly seen as a response taken up by marginal religious in order to adapt to larger forces of modernisation. This thesis shows that 'rationalization' of organisational structures and religious meanings is a complex process that is locked in a series of constant negotiation between 'larger' social forces of religious change such as State regulations and 'micro' levels of personal meanings and participation in religious rituals.