Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I never used to feel nearly as anti-Christian as I do now. Why, just three years ago I was attenting a liberal Protestant church on a semi-regular basis and had lots of friends there. But absolutely everything about Koran Protestantism turns me off. I will never set foot in a Protestant church in Korea unless it's to go to a friend's wedding. The last time I went to church at Christmas and Easter I actually went to a Roman Catholic service. The two times (a long time ago) when I did attend Protestant church services I left absolutely disgusted. And I have to say, I have met so many utterly fucked up Korean Christians or Koreans with fucked up Christian families that I really wish the religion had never been introduced here.

Yes, I know some very kind and loving Korean Christians (and I've had some wonderful students who were very devout Christians) but for every Korean I've met whom the truth has set free I've met a dozen others who would have been better off never stepping foot in a church in their lives. If a Korean Christian were to ask me to go to some function my first goal is to find out if it's with church friends and, if that's the case, procede by breaking one of the ten commandments and finding something else that I 'have' to do instead. My aunt and uncle were recently visiting and when they asked about Christianity here I said that I now make it a point to qualify 'Korean Christianity' as something distinct, in the same way I wouldn't automatically consider Jehovah's Witnesses to by Christians.

Has Korea made Christianity look very, very ugly to you as well?

[Qinella]

No. Growing up in a charismatic Christian family that blamed everything on Satan and believed demons constantly followed us around did, though.

[xingyiman]

[Rapacious Mr. Batstove]

Yes my loathing of Christianity has intensified a little since I have been here.

Like the OP I have met a lot of well-intentioned and kind Christian Korean people here but I have also encountered a whole lot of renegade evangelistic types intent on preaching and using the bible as a means to communicate and practice their poor English skills.

Basically it feels like Christianity is more aggressive here, both in its overt forms of recruitment and the hold it has on its congregation. As a huge percentage of the Korean population are Christians, it seems that many of conversations revolve around religion and it's a fairly common question to ask someone what their religion is and tell them yours.

A co-teacher dropped a prayer onto my desk the other day saying that she wanted me to have some light reading. I have taken this as a personal queue/vendetta to wind her up every time we talk. Like today, when I told her that I thought marriage was just a piece of paper and I never want to get married. She responded that 'It's Gods way to get married'. She proceeded to tell me that if I don't get married I'll be lonely when I'm 50. She didn't like the my response 'I'll have many young girlfriends by then'.

So yeah. To me, in my book, anyone who believes in any kind of intangible deity is irrational and will never have my full trust or understanding. Korea has confirmed for me that there are a fvck-load more of the aforementioned than I once thought.

Chur

[Jeaves]

Well you know there is a problem when a person's standing in the church is set by how many members they have brought in. Then again, I guess that's not a whole lot different than many churches in the states...

From what I've heard/read/researched, it seems that often Korean Protestantism is much more about community and social standing than it is about actual spirituality. Then again, I've only spent a total of 10 days in the country so I guess I don't have a whole lot of room to speak.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I know that one can find just about everything Korean Christianity has in churches in the west, especially America. However, there are so many aspects of Christianity that are just non-existant here. An ability to read scripture figuratively or allegorically - upsaeyo. Branches of Christianity who believe other religions are equally valid - upsaeyo. Source criticism - upsaeyo. It seems that Korean Christians suffer from Klogic worse than almost anyone else in this country.

'I don't drink because I love Jesus'.

'How much wine did Jesus make for a group of wedding guests who had already drunk the house dry?'

'I don't drink because I love Jesus'.

Yeah, like I really want to subscribe to your life philosophies. You sure know how to make your belief system look rational and appealing.

[blynch]

[dmbfan]

I have a couple of thoughts here.


First, I wonder if God could forgive Satan? I wonder if God and Satan ever talk? I wonder if the option for forgiveness is open? After all, Satan was God's highest angel at one time (ask that question to a korean Christian).

Second, why can't they work out their differences?

Third, nobody can prove what the answer is, either way. Noboday has proof that there is a God and Jesus Christ was the Son of Man. But yet, nobody can prove that they don't exist. So, what if it REALLY is true? Granted, stupid people have gotten carried away in their interpretations of the Bible, and Christianity. But, what if it is true? I would be disappointed and relieved, at the same time if it were not true.........I would be disappointed because I spent my life beliving in something (even by a narrow thread), or tying to believe, that never happened or exists. I would be relieved because I would not be going to hell and suffering for all eternity.

What are the reasons people choose to believe in this? Is so that they think it will make their lives better? Is so that they can find innner peace? Is it because they grew up raised this way, and really don't have a clue as to why? Is it because we think we feel some divince presence in which we cannot explaine? Or..........is it the fear of .......

1. ....being alone.......and not knowing what happens after we pass on?

OR

2. ....the possibility of going to hell for eternity?



Well, I am not going to preach. But, I would assume that if there really is a God, a Jehova and J.C.................they would be smart enough to accept us for who we are. After all, believing in something we cannot see takes an actual leap of faith.......it is not easy. So, I would think that we, being humans, get some credit for that from the source above.

And, why not give a liitle credit to Jesus? Whether or not is is the Son of Man, or was eating a lot of magic mushrooms, the guy died a pretty horrible death for us..................I'll him my respect for that, definately.


.................................OR...............................

......that whole story could be the biggest lie in history, made up by governments, and the wealthy to try and keep people in order.



Moving on, it also makes sense that we could possibly start again, when we pass a way. After all, whatever comes from the earth, goes back to the earth. We are from the earth, are we not? We could just be in a cycle of lives.........but, that would cause a huge headache by trying to explaine that in conjunction with the space time continueum...er..continuem...uh..continuem....(hell with it).




So, as Dave Matthews said in his song "Tripping Billies"..........

"Eat, drink and be merry. For tomorrow we die......"


Cheers.

dmbfan

[xingyiman]

[dmbfan]

[Adventurer]

Well, I have been annoyed by the Koreans saying they have a survey to get foreigners in their church. They will mislead you about a survey as if misleading a person is not some sin somehow. Sometimes, you have to tell them three or four times that you aren't interested. Most are polite, but I am not Korean, and I am not a Protestant, and I don't want to go to a Korean church. Korean Catholics and Buddhists don't bother anyone. I like that.

[xingyiman]

[xingyiman]

[dmbfan]

[RACETRAITOR]

I've never been a fan of religion but Korea has given me new reasons to distrust Christianity. It's a bitter irony that we brought them Christianity, then decided it was a lot of BS, and then we moved to Korea and had Koreans try to convert us into it.