The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan played a significant role in pushing for democracy during the Chinese Nationalist Party's (KMT) authoritarian rule.
When the nation celebrated the 20th anniversary of the lifting of martial law last month, little attention was paid to the "human rights declaration" proclaimed by the church 30 years ago.
Throughout the 1970s, the Presbyterian Church actively opposed political oppression, declaring a "human rights declaration" to help encourage the democratic movement that changed the fate of the country.
On Dec. 29, 1971, after then US secretary of state Henry Kissinger secretly visited Beijing, the church declared that the Taiwanese people had the right to self-determination. They asked the KMT government to implement democratic reforms, including direct elections for all representatives to the highest government body.
In the run-up to US president Gerald Ford's visit to China, the church on Nov. 18, 1975, called on the government to work on its diplomatic predicament and to establish a relationship of mutual trust with the church.
The call came after the KMT regime confiscated more than 2,000 Bibles translated by the church into Taiwanese using a Romanization system.
On Aug. 16, 1977, the church presented its human rights declaration, calling on the government to make Taiwan a "new and independent country" -- a revolutionary stance to take openly during the Martial Law Era.
The church, knowing that the US was making aggressive efforts to normalize relations with China, urged Washington under the administration of president Jimmy Carter to protect Taiwan and ensure its independence and freedom from China would continue. The church also took its call to the international community, the US public and churches around the world, spreading information about Taiwan's situation and the need for self-determination.
On Aug. 20, 1991, the church issued its own declaration on Taiwan's independence, urging Taipei to pen a new constitution, join the UN under the name "Taiwan" and reform its relationship to Beijing as an independent nation.
Reverend Andrew Chang (
Chang dismissed criticism that his church was too political, saying that an organization with a conscience could not sit idly and watch a maniac drive a truck-load of people over the edge of a cliff.
"We aren't getting involved in politics, we are just acting on our concern," he said.
Lee Shiao-feng (
Lee said that what some criticized as political engagement on the part of his church was in fact driven by Christian principles such as protecting the poor and disadvantaged.
"Jesus himself criticized the Romans and became a political prisoner," Lee said. "What [the church] did during KMT rule corresponded fully with the teaching of taking a stand in the face of injustice."
Lee said the Presbyterian Church made many other significant contributions to Taiwan, for example by distributing medicine, providing education and supporting local languages.
James Maxwell, a British Presbyterian missionary and physician, established Taiwan's first western medical clinic in Tainan in 1865, Lee said.
However, the church has often met resistance, including from its own members.
After the "human rights declaration" in 1977, Reverend William Lo (
Lo conceded feeling that his life was in danger during the Martial Law Era, but said he had never been afraid.
"There is no fear in love," the 66-year-old said.
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