-Caveat Lector- <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/"> </A> -Cui Bono?- from: http://www.aci.net/kalliste/ Click Here: <A HREF="http://www.aci.net/kalliste/">The Home Page of J. Orlin Grabbe</A> ----- Digital Society Chinese Log On to Honor the Dead Virtual immortality. THOUSANDS of Chinese urban professionals are building digital "memorial halls" for their ancestors on the internet, joining a nationwide surge in enthusiasm for paying respects to the graves of family members. After decades of enforced atheism, traditional rites and beliefs have soared in popularity, as Chinese shaken by the collapse of the old Communist certainties seek a new spiritual direction. Despite government warnings against "superstition" and calls for cremation rather than wasting precious land on graves, many of the new rich are lavishing their money on the dead. Thousands of internet users are logging on to a web site devoted to ancestor worship, founded by Beijing computer graduates with Singapore Chinese investment, in time for the annual festival of Qing Ming, Tomb Sweeping Day, tomorrow. The web site has provoked approving newspaper headlines, and claims to have had 300,000 visits in the first few days of operation. Tomorrow will see pious families cleaning graves, making offerings of cake, fruit and incense, and burning paper funeral money to give the deceased something to spend in the afterlife. Provincial Communist cadres have been caught erecting vast mausoleums to their own memories. Beijing issued a stern warning that all memorials built with public funds had to receive government approval. But a growing number of well-educated Chinese have found work far from their home towns, and cannot return for Qing Ming. The new Chinese-language internet site offers urbanites the chance to construct their own "memorial halls" for family members, choosing from a variety of architectural and religious styles. Photographs can be posted in the hall, as well as poems, prayers, obituaries and brief snatches of music. Visitors may light candles, and lay virtual flowers. Halls are free for the moment, though the company aims to charge wealthy patrons for the construction of elaborate memorials. More than 1,000 "halls" have been built. The London Telegraph, April 4, 2000 ----- Aloha, He'Ping, Om, Shalom, Salaam. Em Hotep, Peace Be, All My Relations. Omnia Bona Bonis, Adieu, Adios, Aloha. Amen. Roads End <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soap-boxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
