Spiritual Darkness in Thailand

Thailand is the world's most heavily Buddhist country (93.6 percent), has an Islam population (4.6 percent), and a Christian population of only (0.75 percent). However a large number of the 0.75 percent of Christians have infused various Buddhist beliefs into their Christianity and do not have a correct lens on the gospel.

Problems

To Be Thai, Is To Be Buddhist- Buddhism in Thailand is strictly treated as part of nationalism, and what ensues is an attempt to define 'being Thai' as 'being Buddhist'. This means that only those who hold the Buddhist faith are considered Thai, and if you're Christian or Muslim, you're not regarded as a real Thai. It is more of something to be identified with than a religion to be practiced.
False Teaching-Christianity in Thailand is in dire need of improved Biblical teaching. Many pastors and Christian leaders have adopted ideas from Buddhism and brought them into Christianity or have created new beliefs and have began to teach them in their churches and villages. People do not have a correct lens on Jesus, the church, or how to read the Bible.
Superstition and Animism-In the Thai eyes, the superstition and metaphysics in animism, demonology, and Hinduist cosmology are not at odds with the Buddhist cosmology depicted in the Buddhist canon and religious folk tales. These strands of belief systems maintain peaceful coexistence, and many Thais follow some of these practices to a certain degree during different parts of their lives.
Buddhist Monks-Buddhist monks are often brought to new homes and businesses to ‘bless them’, and Thai people frequently light incense and make prayers to both Buddha images and a host of Hindu gods whose shrines are located throughout the cities and the countryside.
Hindu Beliefs- Thai Buddhism is infused with many spiritual beliefs which are likely the result of lingering animist and Hindu beliefs from centuries earlier. Thai homes and places of business feature a ‘spirit house’ just outside the building, where offerings are made to appease spirits that might otherwise inhabit their homes or workplaces.
Buddhism Taught In Schools-Religious instruction is required in public schools at both the primary and secondary education levels.
Majority of Christian Population in North-Over 90% of Christians in Thailand live in the northern region of the country
Main Focus Is On Minority Groups- Evangelical missionaries have targeted ethnic minorities such as the Karen, Shan or other hill tribe people groups and not the Thai people
Racism-Churches and pastors focus on specific groups of people; such as, specific ages or ethnic groups, instead of all ethnic groups, ages and genders.
Government Ties- The King is called “the Defender of the Faith.” He has absolute power in saying what religion the country’s religion is or what religions are allowed to be practiced.

Statistics

Thailand has over 2,500 years of Buddhist traditions (250 BCE)
Out of a population of around 66 million people in Thailand, 495,000 are Christians
There are about 6,000 Christian churches in Thailand
About 93.6 percent of all the people in Thailand are Buddhists (nearly all of them Theravada Buddhists
About 4.6 percent of the population is Muslim (6.3 million people)
Christians make up 0.75 percent of the population; Hindus, 0.1 percent; and Sikhs, Baha’i Faith, and others, 0.6 percent
Thailand has over 41,000 Buddhist temples
There have been reports of sexual assault, embezzlement, drug-taking, extravagant lifestyles, even murder. Thailand's 38,000 temples, populated by 300,000 monks, are easy targets for corruption, handling between US$3 to 3.6 billion yearly in donations, mostly untraceable cash
Every man in Thailand is required to become a monk for a period of time before the age of 20. Though the expected time length is about three months, some will stay as little as a day or two. The majority of monks remain for at least a few weeks. Young men do this in order to receive good karma and merit. Those Thais who are affluent or have money are considered to have very good karma. Those who do not have money are thought to have behaved poorly in a previous life, thus, not having good karma
What Are We Doing About it?
We come alongside pastors and churches coaching them in strategic planning and development
We train pastors and leaders
We live life alongside believers, celebrate victories, and are with them through defeats
We teach a correct view of who Jesus is, the church and the Bible by studying the scriptures and praying together.
We coach and disciple believers to bring all of life under the authority of Jesus
We coach and disciple believers to follow the dreams and visions God has entrusted them with

Main Buddhist Holidaysread more ↓

Songrkan (Thai new year)- is one of the most famous Buddhist festivals. It is a giant water fight that takes place nationwide, symbolizing the washing away of sins and bad luck from the previous year. It originated from the practice of pouring water over statues of Buddha
Visaka Puja- It commemorates Buddha’s birthday, death, and enlightenment. Thai Buddhists will gather with lit candles around one of the many temples across the country
Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent Day)-Marks the beginning of a three-month period in which monks are to remain immobile. Buddhists come and offer yellow robes and candles to the stationary monks
Loy Krathong-As the main rice harvest season ends, it’s time to thank the Water Goddess, Phra Mae Khongkha, for a year’s worth of her abundant supply, as well as an apology for polluting the waters. Some believe that this is the time to symbolically ‘float away’ all the anger, hatred, defilement, and grudges you have been holding onto, and including a fingernail or a lock of hair is seen as a way of letting go of the dark side of yourself and your past sins, to start anew free of negative feelings. If your candle stays alight until your Krathong disappears out of sight, it means a year of good luck.