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Taiwan is a melting pot of diverse religious groups. Apart from the beliefs practiced by the native communities, there are as many as thirteen recorded religions in Taiwan. The different religious practices of the island are discussed below. Buddhism is the most widely practiced religion of Taiwan. Over the past four centuries, the religion has now spread to almost 5 million people in the island. Taoism ranks next to Buddhism in popularity and is now practiced by almost 4.5 million followers. The mystic religion initiated by Lao Tzu, is marked by its use of incense. Catholicism had spread to Taiwan with the Spanish settlement, and is now followed by more than 304,000 believers. Protestantism entered Taiwan in the hands of Georgius Candidus of the Reformed Church of Holland, and has spread widely to over 65 Protestant sects. Hsuan-yuan Chiao is a considerably modern faith founded by Wang Han-sheng in 1957 as a mark of protest against communist annexation. The religion honors Huangti, the historic unifier of China. Islam entered into Taiwan when a large number of Muslims immigrated to China in the 6th century AD. The new religion influenced various walks of Taiwanese life, though the religion was formally established quite recently in 1949. Li-ism or the ‘doctrine of order’ was established in the 17th century by Yang Lai-ju who sought to formulate a religion that sieves the best out of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Many rituals practiced by the Li-ists therefore resemble those of the Buddhists. Tenrikyo was established in 1838 by Miki Nakayam, and resembles Buddhism in its simplicity. Baha’i entered Taiwan with an Iranian couple in 1954. Tienti Teachings, Tien Te Chiao, I-Kuan Tao, Mahikarikyo are some aother religions practiced in Taiwan.
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