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Various views on fortunetelling
A Taoist ceremony preceding the Dragon Boat Festival in Sha Tin. (Varsity file photo)
By Jenny Chen
Fortunetelling is a prominent constituent part of Taoism, according to Ching Chung Taoist Association Chief Executive Hoipo Leung.
Fortunetelling is the emphasis of one of the five sections of Taoism.
Taoism embraces fortunetelling since it helps people foresee their future in order to make wiser decisions. Yet, Taoism still believes in no pain, no gain.
Taoism is against any fortunetelling practices involving killing and destruction, since it believes all creatures are equal.
Differing from Taoism, neither Buddhism nor Christianity agrees with fortunetelling. Yet, they do not forbid it, either.
Hong Kong Buddhist Association Executive Officer Francis Li said, “One’s fate is closely related to how he has acted and what he thought in the past.
“Similarly, our future is determined by how we act and think now.”
Prof. Lo Lung Kwong, head of the Theology Division at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, said, “Praying to the Lord is the only admitted way to face the future in Christianity.”
Christianity encourages people to face suffering bravely rather than trying to get rid of it by fortunetelling.
“This is because Christianity believes suffering can be turned into benediction by God’s providence and one’s courage,” said Prof. Lo.
On the contrary, Islam strictly forbids fortunetelling.
Uthman Yang Xingben, Imam of Masjid Ammar in the Osman Ramju Sadick Islamic Centre, said, “Almighty Allah wholly controls everyone’s fate.
“None of us have the qualification to foresee the future.
“If a Muslim believes in fortunetelling, he or she ceases to be a Muslim and will have to answer for it to Almighty Allah on the Day of Judgement.”