Jailhouse conversions are always a tricky thing for the public to believe. Corporate embezzlers, Watergate thieves, con men, murderers -- there are many examples worldwide of evil men "suddenly" finding religion while behind bars, sometimes even on death row.
Taiwan is no exception.
Chen Chin-hsing, one of the small-time hoods who kidnapped and murdered the 17-year-old daughter of TV entertainer Pai Ping-ping, reportedly converted to Christianity while awaiting execution. Maybe he did; or maybe it was just another con by a long-time con man.
Now, in an uncanny move, The Journalist magazine's publishing division (http://book.new7.com.tw) has consented to publish Chen's death row confessions -- in which he explains how Jesus came into his heart after he learned he had been sentenced to death. The text is in Chinese.
It's an interesting read, for prison chaplains, for students of human psychology and for ordinary skeptics alike.
Titled 罪?H的遺書 (Testament of a Criminal: Chen Chin-hsing's Last Confessions While in Prison), the 175-page paperback sells for NT$180 at local bookstores.
`Twins Day' doubling up
After we ran a story the other day about the upcoming Twins Day in Taipei on Nov. 11 -- Double Eleven, 11/11, get it? -- Jerrod Long e-mailed us to say that he and his twin brother, who are currently exchange students in Taiwan, plan to participate in the event. Others wanting to sign up should call organizers at (02) 2397-0800, extension 8348, at Taipei City Hall.
Getting `Around Kaohsiung'
Celebrating the community spirit and lifestyles in Kaohsiung, a new bi-monthly magazine has made its debut in the southern city. According to editor Karen Schmitt, the 40-page inaugural issue has been well-received, with even Kaohsiung Mayor Frank Hsieh writing a snappy "Mayor's Words" column.
For expats in the region, Around Kaohsiung is a welcome addition to the city's growing internationalism, Schmitt says. For information about the magazine, e-mail kschmitt@ms29.hinet.net or go to http://aroundkaohsiung.freeservers.com
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