Social Diary of a Spirit Medium

Modernity has often been perceived as a challenge to religious beliefs. A journey towards modernity is a world where rationality prevails and in opposite spectrum to religion.

Even within the religious landscape, organised and institutionalised belief systems are believe to be able to survive and thrive against local indigenous belief systems.

“Social diary of a spirit medium” presents an alternative to these discourses showing how modernity presents traditional faith new opportunities of engagement and even new audiences.

The documentary traces the beginning of Heng Kian Tian, a Singapore Taoist spirit medium temple, just after the fall of Singapore in 1942.

The challenges and growth of temple is intertwined with Singapore’s journey from a colony to an independent new nation and from a Third World to the First World.

What is the social function of spirit mediumship in the world of consumerism?

What alternative narratives await the insightful visitor?

Related articles:

Heng Kian Tian

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