Transcript Religion in Contemporary Korea

Religion in Contemporary Korea
John Goulde, Ph.D.
Sweet Briar College
Contemporary South Korea
 World’s 13th largest Economy
 99.7% Literacy rate
 1.5 child Nuclear Family
 75% White Collar Employment
 50% of Population (47 Mil.) in or near
capitol of Seoul
 75% of Population connected to Internet
Contemporary South Korea
 1.6 Automobiles per household
 40% of all Equities traded online
 More digital phone users than in Manhattan,
Los Angeles or Chicago
Contemporary South Korea
Six Crucial Questions
 How widespread is
 What are the gender trends
religion in South Korea?
 How is South Korea
different in regard to
religion vis-à-vis North
Asia and the world?
 What are the major types
of religion? Korea
in religion?
 What motivates modern
South Korean religiosity?
What is its importance?
 What functions, activities,
concerns are found in
contemporary South
Korean religion?
Distribution of Religions in
South Korea
 40% Christian
1. 65% Protestant
2. 30% Catholic
3. 5% New Religions
that adapt Christianity
to Korean context
 40% Buddhist
1. 70% Chogye Zen
Order
2. 20% Taeko Married
Order
3. 10% Won Buddhist
Association
Korea and Asia
Korea and the World
 More Christians than
 Religious Adherence
in China or Japan
 Equal number of
Buddhists as in China
and Japan
equal to that of
N/South America,
twice that of Europe,
lower than Islamic
middle east
 Abundant missionary
activity abroad
Major Types of Religion in
Korea
Confucian values shared by all,
practice of Confucian memorial
rituals by all
 Christian Groups
– 65% Protestant
– 30% Roman Catholic
– 5% Orthodox,New Christian,
Christian-like groups
 Buddhist Groups
– 70% Chogye Zen Order
– 20% Taeko Married Order
– 10% Professing but
unaffiliated, New Buddhists
 Other World Religions
– Islam, Japanese Exports,
Bahai
 New Native Religions
– Chondokyo
– Chungsankyo
– Daoist Revivals
– Taejongkyo (Tangun
Worshippers)
– et. al.
Gender Trends
 Korean Population
 Christian Women
today: 51% Male/
49% Female
 Women participate in
religion twice the rate
of men- more nuns
than monks or priests
activists: Bible
women, evangelists,
deacons, some elders
and some pastors
 Ordained Clergy: Still
predominantly male