Korean Job Discussion Forums

mithridates

The emphasis on bringing in large numbers of converts, projecting donations received on the wall to try to inspire more giving, claiming one's own church is better than another etc. seems to be turning off Koreans as well, giving rise to a large increase in Catholicism.

Well, if you're an atheist you won't like Catholicism either, but Catholics don't proselytize on subway cars.

Article (in Korean)

I'll translate a few parts:

Catholic numbers rise by 74% over 10 years
Protestantism down 1.6%
Reasons:
"Looks holier and more grand"
"Sick of being treated like a sinner just for missing service now and again"
"Don't like how they concentrate on fundraising and worldly things"

The one on the top there is Buddhism, followed by Protestantism, then Catholicism, and finally Won Buddhism.

minorthreat · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 11:14 am Post subject:

I get approached all the time by Korean evangelists.

I've developed a stock response: I fix them with my most withering look, and tell them that there is no god but Allah, and that Mohammed is his prophet.

They start looking at me funny and backing away slowly. It's grand.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Sleepy in Seoul · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:09 pm Post subject:

I used to flat with a slim, blond, 6 foot 3 tall Canadian during my first job here. When the Korean evangelists came to the door, as he didn't know how to say "I am Buddhist" in Korean, he would always tell them, "I am Buddha" in Korean. They would back away with increasing urgency and a look of confusion...

Octavius Hite · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:13 pm Post subject:

I just tell tem I'm a sodomite and that usually ends the lesson. Laughing

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

I actually think the Catholic Church has a lot going for it. As a Protestant, I'm getting sick of my own branch of Christianity, both in Canada and in Korea and the Catholic Church is beginning to look a lot more attractive. I too am disturbed by the offensive evangelism going on and am often embarrased to call myself an evangelical Christian in certain crowds.

Gaber · Joined: 23 Apr 2006

kotakji · Joined: 23 Oct 2006

I have one Korean friend who because of her job has to go to protestant functions (religious institution). She mentioned how disgusted she was when at some sunday meeting the group got together and watched a video of their missionaries in India paying very poor Indians to go smash up a small temple. Apparently the congregated people cheered as ancient statue after statue was smashed to bits by people who just wanted some cash to buy food. Truly amazing that people can take pleasure in such a travesty.

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

Roch · Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

Troll_Bait

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

Troll_Bait · Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:41 am Post subject:

In the chart, the second number, the one in (parentheses), is %-age of the population. So even as a percentage of the population, all religions in the chart have increased since 1985.