buddhism under siege in Korea

buddhopia ^

[marron]

why was there still no progress in dissolving tensions and making true peace between North and South Korea at the DMZ?

Why do you think that is?

why is Christianity in Korea provoking public condemnation because of the missionary work of its aggressive, conversion-oriented Christian leaders who are following extremely conservative and fundamentalist theology from the States?

Missionaries trying to convert people? Really?

I am a conservative, something of a fundamentalist, from the US. If I discuss my faith with you, it would inevitably be in the terms I understand. How else would I explain it?

Nothing is wrong with propagation or missionary work itself, only the exclusive and obsolete method that slanders and condemns other religions,"

I agree with Dr. Pyon. Our outreach has to be grounded in love for the person we are trying to reach or it is pointless. It will do more harm than good.

A more extensive listing of incidents against Buddhism including over twenty serious arson attacks against temples in the last fifteen years... no one has been positively identified, arrested or definitely associated with any of these crimes ... the chief of police... concurs... it is probable that a fanatical or mentally disturbed religious extremist is connected with the incidents...

Exactly why are you blaming Christians?

I have never witnessed an act of violence committed by Christians against someone for purely religious reasons. I can't imagine it would ever happen. If such things are occurring in Korea, then there must be something more to the story that is not explainable by simply slandering US fundamentalism. There may be cultural attitudes involved that have nothing to do with Christianity at all. People, after all, are people.

But this article makes one serious error. It conflates preaching designed to promote the gospel with physical violence committed against Bhuddists. It is only obvious that on theological grounds Christian preachers are going to disagree with Bhuddism as a religion.

I would say that most US Christians have no hostility at all toward Bhuddists, holding them overall in high regard. That does not mean that we necessarily agree with them on religious grounds.

Many Korean Christians claim : 1) Buddhism is superstition

There are some elements that look like it. These elements may not be formally part of the religion, but are folk traditions that have been absorbed.

2) Buddhism is idol worship

Some Bhuddist practices look like idol worship to Christian eyes. There are some Christian practices that draw the same criticism from other Christians. But criticism is not slander.

3) Jesus is God but Shakyamuni is (was) a human being

That is a central tenet to Christian faith, that is not just some US fundamentalist exageration. If you are a former Christian, you know that, of course.

4) Buddhism is... a philosophy, not a religion...

There is a lot of truth in this. Actually, I have heard people say this to explain how they could be both Bhuddist and Christian at the same time, that they accepted Christ as savior, and had absorbed Bhuddist philosophy into their world view. I'm not sure I buy it...

5) Buddhism is baseless. It has no substance at its root...

Again, you can't be surprised that Christian missionaries disagree with a non-Christian religion. This is not violence, it is disagreement. You can't conflate the two.

If anyone is physically attacking Bhuddists, obviously they are wrong. Without knowing more about it, I would be hesitant to believe that these people are Christians at all. If they are, and if the facts are as you have given them, you won't find any Christians here who will defend them.

[Dr. Marten]

Just goes to show that Christians are no more tollerant than any of the other 'religions'.