Korean Job Discussion Forums

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

My church is your garden variety Korean Presbyterian. Maybe there's a ministry to sex workers that I'm just not aware of. Embarassed

And...I'll pray that my needs be met, but leave it up to G-d how that will be accomplished.

contrarian · Joined: 20 Jan 2007 Location: Nearly in NK

I go to a <ormon church. A rather upscale congregation. Except for the language it is pretty much the same as home. Same songs, differnt language.

crazy_arcade · Joined: 05 Nov 2006

I'm not anti-Christian but I'm definitely anti-Church. Churches are primarily a money making tool, especially in Korea. If you earn more money then the church you belong to earns more money. I used to tutor the children of a pastor in Suwon. He had a very small church with a very small congregation but somehow he could afford to be a lot....and I mean A LOT.

Junkyardninja · Joined: 24 Jun 2007

..Give us this day our daily bread.

I think it's okay to pray for oneself regarding the necessities of life. How far that extends into praying for things that are just desired I'm less theologically certain of...

4 months left · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Have you ever thought about working for something instead of praying for it?

Like in the Korea Iraq soccer game you see the Iraqis praying and I'm sure the Koreans were praying too. So that day Allah won!?!?

Religion is f*cked.

Dysupes · Joined: 24 May 2005

At our former church, a Presbyterian church, we were repeatedly told that we had to give 10% of our income to the church. Not only was this "commandment" said in passing but we were also told that to give any part of that money to charities or other organizations was against God's will. We had to give that money, all 10%, to our church or else we'd be stealing from God. I kid you not. Evil or Very Mad

On top of that, when we were baptized in that church (we really only kept going there because it was close to home and as my wife doesn't have much experience with church she thought that was more or less normal) we were told that we had to write down a special prayer for the pastor and congregation to pray for us when we were baptized. I wrote something along the lines of "Please God help us to have a nice life and give us the best guidance you can for our future." Something pretty generic and unspecific. I was told that I had to redo it and ask for something. When I said, "Ask for what?" I was told that I had to ask for something material like a better job, a raise in my salary, a new car or TV or something. I laughed and promptly refused to change it. Laughing

The pastor was not happy about that. Rolling Eyes

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

Wisconsinite · Joined: 05 Jan 2007

I think of prayer as a conversation between myself and God, I find I gain more when I listen instead of do all the talking. But prayer is personal, there are no rules. If it feels wrong, it probably is.

I am a very spriritual person and I believe in God, however I do not believe in all the 'rules' put forth by organized religions. I once had a conversation with a very conservative friend of mine who insisted that it had to be 10% of income given to the church. I tried to negotiate, what if I donate 5% and give 5% of my time to a worthwhile charity? Nope, had to be 10% cash. So then I took the stance of a single mom with 3 kids and I have to actually decide between fruits and vegtables and heat in the winter, do I still have to give 10%? He said, nope had to give 10% even if I had nothing. Had to be money. This was a Korean guy that I met at a Korean church.

That is exactly the kind of thing that makes me run as far away from certain "chruches" as I can.

Saxiif · Joined: 15 May 2003 Location: Seongnam

kermo · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 10:15 pm Post subject:

Re: the 10%
It comes from the concept of a "tithe," wherein the Israelites were instructed to give up 10% of their income to support the Levites, who were a priestly class. Originally, of course, this meant giving 10% of what you actually produced, like grain or cloth or whatever. Thus, the "cash only" rule is being applied to a concept which was imposed when people didn't have cash.

These days things are very different. A church needs a lot of things, but it's silly to insist that only the church can make the best use of your income. I don't go to church in Korea because it's so bureaucratic, and I don't like having a camera pushed in my face while I'm singing, or watching the pastors strut around in flashy suits.

Anyway, back to prayer.

I'm in agreement with Ryst: I don't think there's anything wrong in praying for yourself, as long as you are also trying to figure out what God wants for you.

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

fiveeagles · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Vancouver

kermo · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 12:28 am Post subject:

The worst example of blatant money-grubbing I've seen is Yeoudo Full Gospel Church. I went to a service as a favour to my sister, who was writing a paper on them. The title of the sermon was "Those Who Think They Are Holier Than God." The pastor was preaching against people who *don't* believe that God wants them to be rich.

There were rooms and rooms full of cubbyholes to keep track of exactly how much you were giving to the church. If you didn't give enough, you'd get a warning and eventually discipline. Grrrr.

Thiuda · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:03 am Post subject:

The fact that in the 21st century people continue to talk to a flying spaghetti monster never ceases to amaze me. Religion is an insult to reason, yet so many are willing to suspend disbelief. Well, I suppose people do the same in theatres. Tithes; you have to pay to pray.

Keep your money, become educated.
http://www.the-brights.net/

contrarian · Joined: 20 Jan 2007 Location: Nearly in NK

Try asking Gof what he wants you to do for someone else.