A Match Made by the Gods
Not everyone believes media accounts that there are one million shamans in contemporary South Korea, but shamanism does remain a potent force.
religion
Karma Back! Buddhist Ad Campaign Tries to Reverse Falling Numbers
South Korea's largest Buddhist organization, the Jogye Order, put out its first monk and nun recruitment poster late last year. But will it be enough to stop a steady fall in numbers?
P(r)aying for Bigotry at Handong University
Handong University announced its official opposition to homosexuality last May: “Homosexuality is a regressive cultural trend that denies Biblical truth” and, “We believe true homosexual rights lie in conversion therapy.” It goes to lengths to abide by this belief.
How Influential Is Islam in South Korea?
Despite grave warnings from some conservative Christians, Islam still has a tiny presence in South Korea. Could it really come to be a dominant force?
North Korean Soldier’s Choco Pie (NOT Lifetime Supply)
After soldier's dramatic escape across DMZ, Choco Pie manufacturer chipped in with 100 boxes of sugary treat that also symbolizes South Korean capitalism.
Potentially Problematic Probes Prompt Protestant Protests
As a legal amendment threatens to tax the income of religious workers, some Protestant groups appear anxious to avoid financial scrutiny.
Mark of the Beast
If you regularly walk around central Seoul, you’ve probably seen, or heard, them -- elderly folks warning that apocalypse is imminent.
Father, Son and Holy Mess: Family Succession in Megachurches
Hereditary succession is seen as a huge problem for South Korean churches. But pastors do it anyway, passing their titles down to their sons. Why and how?
Religion and Politics in South Korea: Very Comfortable Bedfellows
Watching the archival video of Park Geun-hye and Choi Tae-min, I was struck by how familiar the whole scene seemed. Such fervent religiosity is an integral part of the fabric of contemporary South Korea.
My Search for Religion
South Korea’s hyper-growth winds down. Fewer people I know hold a rosy view of the future. Ranks of disillusioned spiritual seekers grow.