The Religion-Based Conservative Countermovement in Taiwan

Abstract

Taiwan’s conservative movement to defend the threatened traditional morality and sexualities is an intellectually fascinating case of countermovement, yet an oft-neglected aspect of Taiwan’s civil society. This article locates its origins in the preceding change of Taiwan’s Christian community. Protestant and Catholic leaders pioneered the opposition to gender equity and a more relaxed attitude on sexuality, and, over the years, they gained support from other religions. I will analyse the contestations over the issues of abortion, same-sex marriage and gender equity education. On the whole, the conservative movement has largely failed to turn back the clock. However, their presence was powerfully felt and had the potential to usher in a new political alignment that moved beyond the pre-existing cleavage.