SLOW RESPONSE?DPP sources said that the president accused the Cabinet of passivity in explaining its environmental policy, which does not seek to ban religious practice
Taipei Times
Date: Jul 21, 2017
By: Chen Wei-han / Staff report
The Cabinet yesterday denied accusations that an environmental measure to reduce
Executive Yuan spokesman Hsu Kuo-yung yesterday at a news conference at the Executive Yuan in Taipei holds up a picture of President Tsai Ing-wen holding incense at a temple to show that the government has no plans to ban incense. Photo: CNA
the burning of incense and joss paper was an attempt to eliminate religious rites, saying that the measures are aimed at reducing air pollution, not interfering with religious freedom.
An Environment Protection Administration (EPA) initiative to reduce the use of incense and “ghost money” to minimize airborne pollutants has given rise to Internet rumors that the government plans to draft a religious associations act and phase out the practice of burning incense.
Dozens of local temples and religious organizations are to protest in front of the Presidential Office Building in Taipei on Sunday to demand the protection of religious traditions.
The Cabinet said that the EPA never intended to eliminate incense or joss paper, but only to encourage their reduced use for environmental reasons. [FULL STORY]
