By Steven L. Shields
Pope Francis declared, "It is not necessary to believe in God to be a good person. In a way, the traditional notion of God is outdated. One can be spiritual, but not religious. It is not necessary to go to church and give money. For many, nature can be a church. Some of the best people in history did not believe in God, while some of the worst deeds were done in his name."
A fan of my column argues that I have been deceived because I choose to see the world in the way expressed by the pope (and many, many other religious leaders). My fan will contend that since Pope Francis is a Catholic, he is not a Christian. In Korea, somehow, the Protestants co-opted the term "Christian" to apply only to themselves. I've discussed this in previous columns.
During the now two years of the pandemic, society worldwide has gone through changes. In Korea, Protestants overall have seen attendance decline by about 25 percent during times of social distancing. Even with online worship, many people in my congregation have chosen to spend their free time engaging as families. Life is short; life is uncertain. With all the stress we've experienced, family time has become more precious.
During the end-of-year celebrations, vocal Christians (Protestant and Catholic) persuaded some government officials to use public funds to play Christmas carols in stores and restaurants. The vocal Christian minority also persuaded the Seoul City government to once again in 2021 (as in 2020) put a cross on top of the Christmas tree, contravening the separation of church and state.
Furthermore, the cross as a symbol of Christ's death and resurrection has no place on a Christmas tree. No, either an angel or the star of Bethlehem is correct. To place the cross on the tree is heretical. (Not to mention the idea that a Christmas tree may not be the best symbol of Jesus' birth for believers).
Some people are leaving Christianity not because they have stopped believing in the teachings of Jesus. They are leaving because they believe in the teachings of Jesus so much, they can't stomach being part of an institution that does not practice what it teaches. Instead, the offerings given by people are used to support lavish lifestyles for some pastors.
Instead of helping the poor, most of the money supports the colossal church buildings built by and for the believers. Pastor-adoration is a problem, too. The meager social work done by most churches is less than 10 percent of their total budget. They can, and should, do so much more.
In the United States, Jesus has been transformed by some Christians (and most Trumpists) from a humble servant of the poor to a symbol of gun "rights," prosperity theology and anti-science. Such so-called Christians want a limited government that neglects the destitute.
A prominent member of the United States Senate stated recently he was opposed to giving parents the Biden-proposed anti-poverty payments because most of his constituents would spend the money on drugs. And, he's a Democrat (though maybe a party switch for him is in the offing). I'm not sure whether this says more about the senator's low opinion of the people of his state or whether the people in his state are low-lives. All the while, this senator is so wealthy he drives a Maserati and keeps a yacht nearby for his pleasure.
The recent census information of 2020 shows that more than 50 percent of Koreans now declare no religion at all. Christians are below 30 percent and Buddhists lower than that. What does this say about society and the role of organized religion?
How did religion get "organized" in the first place? The paths of the major world religions (Christianity in all its expressions, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and perhaps Hinduism) are similar. What began as venerating a deity (or other mysterious forces in the world) ― God, Allah ― and in Hinduism, the various gods. Buddhism venerates not a supreme being but rather attaining inner light (similar to venerating a deity but using different nuanced terminology).
The early sacred places set up by individuals, families or villagers grew and developed into something more than just an altar or a tree beneath which they placed offerings. Even Jesus did not organize a church.
Social organizations can have a valuable role for both their members and others they try to help. Pooling resources to help the poor or sick, for example, is a great model. Feeding the hungry, such as Jesus did. Healing the sick or providing education. All are great.
But when an organization exists only to feed itself by recruiting new members, then the value of their role needs to be reexamined. For most, organized religion has moved from pursuing the lofty goals of Jesus, to existing mainly to enlarge itself ― as if numbers somehow make the organization valuable or more worthy or true. A shameful state, indeed.
Steven L. Shields (slshields@gmail.com) has lived in Korea for many years, beginning in the 1970s. He served as copy editor of The Korea Times in 1977. He is a retired clergyman and president of the Royal Asiatic Society Korea.
 |
A fan of my column argues that I have been deceived because I choose to see the world in the way expressed by the pope (and many, many other religious leaders). My fan will contend that since Pope Francis is a Catholic, he is not a Christian. In Korea, somehow, the Protestants co-opted the term "Christian" to apply only to themselves. I've discussed this in previous columns.
During the now two years of the pandemic, society worldwide has gone through changes. In Korea, Protestants overall have seen attendance decline by about 25 percent during times of social distancing. Even with online worship, many people in my congregation have chosen to spend their free time engaging as families. Life is short; life is uncertain. With all the stress we've experienced, family time has become more precious.
During the end-of-year celebrations, vocal Christians (Protestant and Catholic) persuaded some government officials to use public funds to play Christmas carols in stores and restaurants. The vocal Christian minority also persuaded the Seoul City government to once again in 2021 (as in 2020) put a cross on top of the Christmas tree, contravening the separation of church and state.
Furthermore, the cross as a symbol of Christ's death and resurrection has no place on a Christmas tree. No, either an angel or the star of Bethlehem is correct. To place the cross on the tree is heretical. (Not to mention the idea that a Christmas tree may not be the best symbol of Jesus' birth for believers).
Some people are leaving Christianity not because they have stopped believing in the teachings of Jesus. They are leaving because they believe in the teachings of Jesus so much, they can't stomach being part of an institution that does not practice what it teaches. Instead, the offerings given by people are used to support lavish lifestyles for some pastors.
Instead of helping the poor, most of the money supports the colossal church buildings built by and for the believers. Pastor-adoration is a problem, too. The meager social work done by most churches is less than 10 percent of their total budget. They can, and should, do so much more.
In the United States, Jesus has been transformed by some Christians (and most Trumpists) from a humble servant of the poor to a symbol of gun "rights," prosperity theology and anti-science. Such so-called Christians want a limited government that neglects the destitute.
A prominent member of the United States Senate stated recently he was opposed to giving parents the Biden-proposed anti-poverty payments because most of his constituents would spend the money on drugs. And, he's a Democrat (though maybe a party switch for him is in the offing). I'm not sure whether this says more about the senator's low opinion of the people of his state or whether the people in his state are low-lives. All the while, this senator is so wealthy he drives a Maserati and keeps a yacht nearby for his pleasure.
The recent census information of 2020 shows that more than 50 percent of Koreans now declare no religion at all. Christians are below 30 percent and Buddhists lower than that. What does this say about society and the role of organized religion?
How did religion get "organized" in the first place? The paths of the major world religions (Christianity in all its expressions, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and perhaps Hinduism) are similar. What began as venerating a deity (or other mysterious forces in the world) ― God, Allah ― and in Hinduism, the various gods. Buddhism venerates not a supreme being but rather attaining inner light (similar to venerating a deity but using different nuanced terminology).
The early sacred places set up by individuals, families or villagers grew and developed into something more than just an altar or a tree beneath which they placed offerings. Even Jesus did not organize a church.
Social organizations can have a valuable role for both their members and others they try to help. Pooling resources to help the poor or sick, for example, is a great model. Feeding the hungry, such as Jesus did. Healing the sick or providing education. All are great.
But when an organization exists only to feed itself by recruiting new members, then the value of their role needs to be reexamined. For most, organized religion has moved from pursuing the lofty goals of Jesus, to existing mainly to enlarge itself ― as if numbers somehow make the organization valuable or more worthy or true. A shameful state, indeed.
Steven L. Shields (slshields@gmail.com) has lived in Korea for many years, beginning in the 1970s. He served as copy editor of The Korea Times in 1977. He is a retired clergyman and president of the Royal Asiatic Society Korea.
