He’s spreading out the religion in Mexico…

[Silverobama]

My friend Mike is a Taoism. He’s in Mexico now and he tells me that he’s intending to build a Taoist Church there so that local people know more about his religion Taoism.

I wrote the sentence “Mike is spreading out his religion in Mexico by establishing a Taoist church there.”

I don’t find this sentence natural at all. How can I express this idea better?

 

[tedmc]

The religion is Taoism, but a follower is a Taoist.
Mike is spreading Taoism.

 

[jutfrank]

Taoist temple, not church.

 

[Silverobama]

Taoist temple, not church.

The word "temple" didn't came to my mind even after reading the second post. Much appreciated!

Is the following version natural now?

Mike is spreading out his Taoism in Mexico by establishing a Taoist temple there.

 

[teechar]

No; "spreading out" is wrong in that sentence. Say, for example: "Mike intends to preach his religion, Taosim, in Mexico".

 

[Skrej]

Mike is spreading out his Taoism in Mexico by establishing a Taoist temple there.

I'm okay with 'spreading', just not 'spreading out'. The word 'his' gives the sentence a slightly disapproving sentiment in my mind - it's like you're trying to distance yourself from Taoism by stating it's his religion, not yours. If that's not the idea you wish to convey, I'd drop 'his'.

In the Christian faith, devout believers speak of 'spreading the (good) word'. While I suppose it could be used for to other faiths, it's probably not worth the rewrite of your sentence it'd take to incorporate the phrase.