Did anyone else find the Taipei Times article by Max Woodworth on Spirit Guides in Taiwan to be just a tad too tongue-in-cheek and a bit on the disrespectful side of commenting on a traditional Taoist funeral practice and ceremony?

To top it off, the article lead-in called this the first in a series on “odd” and unique jobs . . . making it clear that they are focusing on the odd.

While it is a dying tradition, there is no reason to brush it off as sideshow carnival. Let’s try to show some respect to the beliefs and relgious practices of others . . . particularly since the article does note that this is a very respected traditional practice. Despite the comments in the article, these troupes have not become less popular or disbanded because they are considered weird, it’s because they were not able to compete with other practices such as the mourner franchises or, in some areas, the dian-tze-hua-che programs as well as modern sensibilities toward shorter funerals, more encouragement to bury and mourn sooner, and local noise and traffic ordinances which make traditional performances impractical.

In any case, I would think a less comical tone in the article would be more appropriate . . . at least that’s how the piece struck me.