다종교 사회에서의 한국 개신교와 국가권력 (Korean Protestantism and National Power in the Plural Religious Context)

서지정보

· 발행기관 : 한국종교학회
· 수록지 정보 : 종교연구 / 54호 / 1 ~ 37페이지
· 저자명 : 박명수

초록

This article deals with the relations between Protestantism and the other religions of Korea. The roots of Korean Protestantism are found in American evangelical churches. Evangelicalism affirms the fundamental rule of separation of church and state, and evangelicals have always practiced it. Evangelicals have formed churches without the government's assistance and have also learned how to interact with ordinary people.
The Chosun dynasty in Korea was an era of state and religion being united, with Confucianism taking the role of state religion. The opening of Korea to the West, however, challenged the closed system of the government sponsoring one state religion. As a result, Catholics and Protestants began to find acceptance, Buddhism was restored, and Confucianism lost its privileged position as the state religion in the Korean society. In this context, Protestant churches became independent and reached out to the people in evangelism rather than expecting or waiting for any governmental assistance.
The annexation of Korea by Japan began a time when three religions (Shinto, Confucianism, and Buddhism) were favored, as these religions proved beneficial to the Japanese colonial government. The colonial power began to restrict Christianity as it was perceived to be an obstacle to Japanese rule in Korea. At the same time, the Japanese power persecuted the nationalistic religion such as Daejonggyo which worshiped the Tangun, the so called first ancestor of Korean people. Among the active religious traditions in Korea, Protestants, especially, raised their voice in protest of the Japanese government's policy toward religions, insisting that the government should not restrict the freedom of religion.
After liberation, the nation experienced a full-scale separation of religion from the state, resulting in the end of government restrictions on religions. The contemporary situation in the Republic of Korea, with the establishment of a new government, witnessed the competition of religions, especially between Christianity and Daejonggyo to become the major religion. Although Daejonggyo sought to become rooted in Korean society, it failed to become a major religion. Christianity emphasized democracy and anti-communism and became the most important religion at that time.
After the Park Chunghee period of military rule, the Korean government used nationalism to rationalize their rule; the result was the further development of national religions. Thus, shamanism became the religion identified as being most characteristic of Korean culture. The Tangun worship was sponsored by the government. In addition, Buddhism received governmental assistance in the name of preserving traditional culture. In the process, Protestantism became further identified as an outsider, Western religion.
Some have insisted that Protestant churches have received help from the government and as a result have grown. But Protestantism continues to affirm strongly the separation of church and state, and as a result has conducted its own mission activity independent from any official government support.

영어초록

This article deals with the relations between Protestantism and the other religions of Korea. The roots of Korean Protestantism are found in American evangelical churches. Evangelicalism affirms the fundamental rule of separation of church and state, and evangelicals have always practiced it. Evangelicals have formed churches without the government's assistance and have also learned how to interact with ordinary people.
The Chosun dynasty in Korea was an era of state and religion being united, with Confucianism taking the role of state religion. The opening of Korea to the West, however, challenged the closed system of the government sponsoring one state religion. As a result, Catholics and Protestants began to find acceptance, Buddhism was restored, and Confucianism lost its privileged position as the state religion in the Korean society. In this context, Protestant churches became independent and reached out to the people in evangelism rather than expecting or waiting for any governmental assistance.
The annexation of Korea by Japan began a time when three religions (Shinto, Confucianism, and Buddhism) were favored, as these religions proved beneficial to the Japanese colonial government. The colonial power began to restrict Christianity as it was perceived to be an obstacle to Japanese rule in Korea. At the same time, the Japanese power persecuted the nationalistic religion such as Daejonggyo which worshiped the Tangun, the so called first ancestor of Korean people. Among the active religious traditions in Korea, Protestants, especially, raised their voice in protest of the Japanese government's policy toward religions, insisting that the government should not restrict the freedom of religion.
After liberation, the nation experienced a full-scale separation of religion from the state, resulting in the end of government restrictions on religions. The contemporary situation in the Republic of Korea, with the establishment of a new government, witnessed the competition of religions, especially between Christianity and Daejonggyo to become the major religion. Although Daejonggyo sought to become rooted in Korean society, it failed to become a major religion. Christianity emphasized democracy and anti-communism and became the most important religion at that time.
After the Park Chunghee period of military rule, the Korean government used nationalism to rationalize their rule; the result was the further development of national religions. Thus, shamanism became the religion identified as being most characteristic of Korean culture. The Tangun worship was sponsored by the government. In addition, Buddhism received governmental assistance in the name of preserving traditional culture. In the process, Protestantism became further identified as an outsider, Western religion.
Some have insisted that Protestant churches have received help from the government and as a result have grown. But Protestantism continues to affirm strongly the separation of church and state, and as a result has conducted its own mission activity independent from any official government support.

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