By Steven L. Shields
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The investigation focuses on where to place blame. Humans need someone or something to blame for the bad things that happen to us and those around us.
But I doubt there will be universal satisfaction with whatever the outcome of the investigation, or whoever resigns to accept responsibility. Human nature demands answers. We demand justice.
But no matter what, those 150-plus primarily children who died will never be replaced. The pain and suffering will continue throughout the lives of those who lost dear ones.
In the days following the disaster, altars of memory were set up in many places. At one of the altars in Itaewon, one Buddhist monk knelt in silent prayer for days. He was supplicating all that is merciful to comfort the suffering, to take within the divine embrace the souls of those who died.
At the same time, there have been certain Christians promoting a different approach. Some of these are imposter Christians who besmirch the integrity of faithful Christians. Some mocked the Buddhist monk because he didn't "believe in Jesus." Others blamed the loss of life on "homosexuals."
Not a single word of comfort did these imposters speak. Not a tear did they shed for those who were lost and those who remain. I wonder what Bible they are reading that is so different from what most Christians understand.
Should those who advocate good, moral living, such as Christians (and Buddhists, etc.), speak out when the morals and ethics of good life and relations are violated? Of course, that's what should happen. There is always a proper time and place and civil manner to practice "free speech."
In the case of the imposters, their outrage at the LGBTQ+ community was misplaced and grossly misguided, driven by false preachers and error-filled interpretations of ancient scripture. I see this every day in my church.
A scripture passage I know in English comes out quite differently in Korean-language translations. Words that do not exist in the Hebrew or Greek texts have been inserted. (I use an English-language translation renowned for its integrity of sticking with the ancient texts. Sadly, Korean language translations cannot make such claims.)
If you are out preaching hell and damnation to our LGBTQ+ siblings, our Buddhist siblings, etc., you are not doing God's work; you are not a disciple of Christ. When you suggest it is because of them that people have died, you are not doing God's work; you cannot claim to follow Christ.
Perhaps one of the most significant heresies of modern Christianity is the falsely applied doctrine of personal revelation that drives the heinous breach of dignity often expressed by so-called Christians in the public sector. I can't count how many times I have heard, "Well, God told me…" or "My pastor says God told him…"
Personal revelation is just that, for one person alone. If God told you something, it is for you, and you alone. God does not tell us to do something that is not Christ-like.
Let's keep personal revelation personal. Let's find a proper, truth-based Christian response to Itaewon and other tragedies that occur in human existence. We all hate tragedy; our hearts break when lives are lost ― especially the lives of young ones who have barely been able to live.
It's hard enough when a 96-year-old grandma dies, let alone a teenage or younger child. Many of us may wish that the God of Christianity or the Divine being of other faith traditions could and would step in to prevent tragedy.
That's not how God/Divinity works. That is not to say God/Divinity doesn't care. Just as Jesus proved when he walked the earth for 30-plus years, "God with us" meant that he walked the human path, suffered human suffering and died with human pain and death.
To my Christian friends, God does understand what we are going through. God is with us when we cry, grieve and suffer. Perhaps a proper Christian response to Itaewon's tragedy is to light candles for the dead, pray for the living and shed tears on their behalf.
To advocate for better civil disaster planning and response ― not to try to find who to blame. We don't need negative sermonizing. Humans have a remarkable way of pulling together when disaster strikes. Let's not let this opportunity pass.
Rev. Steven L. Shields (slshields@gmail.com) has lived in Korea for many years, beginning in the 1970s. He is the president of the Royal Asiatic Society Korea. He served as copy editor of The Korea Times in 1977. The views expressed in the above article are the author's own and do not reflect the editorial direction of The Korea Times.
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