 | The Thai are mostly animists, though a few have embraced Therevada Buddhism. Shamanism and Taoism have influenced them, as well as astrology, geomancy and ancestor worship. Their many rituals and ceremonies involve placating various spirits, honoring ancestors and determining propitious times to make important decisions or do significant actions. Taoists worship a large pantheon of spirits, including the spirit of heaven, the earth, the mountains and the soil. |
| The Black Thai have never embraced Buddhism. They are animists and believe that non-human objects have spirits, and that people have multiple souls. They are very concerned with placating the spirits so that they might be appeased, and bless them. They believe that the King of Heaven, a supremely powerful god, founded Dien Bien Phu, which they have named Heavenly City. They believe that there once was a vine that grew from heaven to earth and allowed fellowship with God. One mother became angry because her son kept climbing the vine so often, so she cut it down. Every since then, the Black Thai believe that they have no communication nor direct fellowship with God. They worship their ancestors on the 7th and 8th months of the Lunar New Year. They often have a central post in their village, and believe that the spirit of the post is to be worshiped. |
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The White Thai are also animists, and few have embraced Buddhism. They have many idols and altars promoting the worship of the soil, the tiger god, and to deified heroes, Tan Sin and Kouan Yin. They also believe that there is a Sovereign, supreme God who is active in the world and in their lives. They also have a flood legend, which states that one of their ancestors hid in a pumpkin to take refuge from a world-wide flood. This flood drowned the rest of the earth because of their great wickedness. |
| The Black Thai heard the gospel from a young man of their people group who became a Christian in prison through a Vietnamese pastor imprisoned for his faith. He returned to his people, and through his witness, many came to believe in Christ. Today, there are about 300 Black Thai Christians, and about 400 among the White Thai. There have been many reports of miracles among the Thai, as God has revealed Himself with power. One White Thai girls was reportedly raised from the dead! |
| The Thai are not considered resistant to the gospel, though few have accepted Christ. The problem is mostly that few Thai have ever heard the gospel! There are portions of the Scriptures translated into Black Thai (Mark, John, Life of Joseph, Life of Christ), and White Thai, as well (Mark, Luke 15). The Jesus film has not been translated into any Vietnamese Thai dialect. But Christian Radio is broadcasted weekly in both White and Black Thai, and Gospel recordings are available in both languages. |
07/03/2003