Korean Job Discussion Forums

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

I'm really not sure what the availability of church services in your own language has to do with your ability to be a Christian.

Satori · Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Location: Above it all

You are from north america and you have a problem with greed?

Being a christian should not be affected by where you are at all.

For the record, I think that most self proclaimed "Christians" are the least christain people out there, if we take being christian as living up to the message of Christ...

As for thinking Christians have a lock on goodness, kindness, and morality, how repulsively ignorant...

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

Christianity doesn't make people good, good people make Christianity good

cubanlord · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Location: In Japan!

K-in-C · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Location: Heading somewhere

Harpeau · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Coquitlam, BC

I personally find it difficult being a christian here in Seoul. I seem to be finding more commonality with ppeople who are Buddhists, etc. Seeing crossed ajumas at Seoul station just makes my blood boil. I still believe, I just wish that people would respect freedom of conscious; soul freedom; freedom to interpret scripture as the Spirit leads the individual~ great baptist principles that have been pissed away by fundamentalism.

I would agree with Phillip Yancy in that 'm too liberal for the conservatives and too conservative for the liberals. I guess these days I just go into my head because I'm finding it difficult to find a real connection out there. Mind you, I still believe.

K-in-C · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Location: Heading somewhere

blaseblasphemener · Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 5:54 pm Post subject:

Have you seen the Catholic services on TV here where the women all have the little lace doilies on their heads? That made me laugh and wonder why. Never saw that in Canada. Seems like church in Korea for christians is mostly women going, while the men are working or nursing a hangover, or working on another one.

The worst was when I saw some sidewalk evangelists working a busy corner at a lotte. They were talking to children without any parents. That made my skin crawl.

KittyLover · Joined: 20 May 2006

As I have said before, I am not religious. However, I grew up in a very religious environment. The churches I went to were very hierchical and authoritarian. People also got into your business quite a bit more than in the secular world. Of course, they were extremely conservative as well. I dont necessarily condone these approaches, but I think this background made it easier to adjust to certain aspects of a confucian cultural taboos such as:

Don't question the authority figure.
Don't act like you care about money too much.
Conform, conform, conform. If you're having trouble with this, someone will surely pop up to help you out.

Of course, there were positive aspects of my background and of confucian culture as well. But basically my point is that I got here and could say "Okay, been there, done that" to a lot of the B.S. that goes on.

Of course, this was one particular denomination. Some of you may not consider it 'true' Christianity.

blaseblasphemener · Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 7:30 pm Post subject:

which denomination? mormonism?

KittyLover · Joined: 20 May 2006

Lol, no. The called themselves non-denominational, which is ironic since that is fast becoming a denomination. A few of the teachings:

To be spiritually "covered", or protected, you must be under spiritual authority.
Going from church to church is as reprehensible as shaking up with a different woman every night.
You don't need to date. God will tell you who you're going to marry. Then your pastor or small group leader will confirm it.
Speaking out against the authority figures is like speaking out against God.

Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not trying to give Christianity a bad name. I'm just saying I grew up in a pretty extreme sect of it.

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

ella · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

To the OP:

God travels well.

I think the hardest part about being a Christian in Korea is if one can't understand the message in service and possibly lack fellowship. However, it's a good chance to pray and hear God.

As for the Christians...well, I can't judge them until I sort myself out, and that will never happen; I will never be in a position to judge others. We are all accounted for and in the end, we will face judgement and that will be where we are all sorted.

There are times where Christians need a talking to, and there is a method for doing so. I was challenged not that long ago by a brother, and it really sent me for a loop. It took me a few days to realize that this man loved me enough to do that; to give me a good shake and let all the pieces hopefully fall into better order. It worked, and I will never forget what he did for me.

I bring this up because this happened to me in Korea and it remains the greatest moment in fellowship in my life. So, being a Christian in Korea has been great for me.