Where is Christian 'left'?
By Steven L. Shields
Conventional wisdom says that those with the loudest voices write the story that most come to believe is the only genuine version. Similar to the U.S., Korea has a vocal evangelical (conservative) Christian community that denounces the “other.”
As a Christian, but far removed from what most people in Korea understand, I struggle with my emotions. I'm frustrated the loudest voices are the only voices being heard in Korea. Perhaps it's to be expected. Conservative evangelical Christianity is based on strict hierarchy; clear-cut right and wrong answers; no room for flexibility.
Neo-Confucian strictures are compatible with conservative evangelical Christianity. Or perhaps it's the other way around. A male-dominated society, strict rules about obedience, unable to allow a modern, literate, egalitarian worldview. Maybe that's why, in Korea, there is seemingly no Christian-left.
The Jesus most Korean Christians see and understand is different from the Jesus I see and understand. Yet, we are reading the same Bible (although I've noted that some Korean-language translations choose to depart from the Hebrew and Greek texts, inserting instead many words that are interpretive, modern vocabulary.
Korea may be the only place in the world where Catholics are not allowed the label “Christian.” Protestants in Korea have co-opted the name as exclusionary rather than comprehensive.
Most Korean Christians think just because they believe something is true, their interpretation must be adopted by all. I argue the “God” they promote is an interpretation ― but of course, they deny that principle. They believe one can understand the Bible literally ― rejecting the cultural contexts (yes, many different settings) in which the Bible was written.
These same “Christians” believe the Bible was written by God, with no human intervention. Then they turn around and promote the idea that “my pastor” explains the Bible better than some other pastor, so not only should one become a Christian, they should join pastor so-and-so's church.
Many Korean Christians would have us believe that “God says” Buddhists will burn in hell. They argue that members of the LGBT community are sinful (but Jesus was silent on same-sex relations ― check it out ― scour Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John ― in the Bible).
Such Christians shout at the top of their lungs; they persuade government officials to deny the “other” in Korean society. They want their narrow-minded interpretation, based on antiquated and biased Biblical scholarship and theology, to be the only voice heard in the land.
Many of these same people have jumped on the bandwagon of hatred when it comes to Japan. (I agree that Japan has much to reckon with in its relation with Korea). But the hostile rhetoric is unbecoming someone who claims to be a follower of Jesus. Such pastors and believers are no longer Christian.
The Jesus of Nazareth I know, is not exclusionary. No faith tradition has a monopoly on truth. My friend's name for God might be different from my own, but that doesn't make my faith any more or any less than hers.
Buddhism is a vibrant faith tradition. It has been part of Korea for almost 2,000 years. It is worthy of respect. I don't have to be a Buddhist to appreciate the teachings, to understand the faith, and to bask in the peaceful sanctuaries of the temples.
One need not be LGBT to love and accept a human individual for the person they are. (I'm not sure why evangelical Christians are so focused on sex anyway).
The Gospels, in the New Testament, describe clearly Jesus's contempt for those who use religion to exert power over others; whose use of religion is hypocritical; who try to instill fear of God to further marginalize those who are on the fringes of society.
Claims made by many in the name of God are merely projections of their own weaknesses and biases. The abuse of faith is rampant, especially among evangelicals. Many of their claims about what God will and will not do, have no basis in scripture; the claims have no base in the faith promoted by Jesus of Nazareth, as described in the Gospels.
The time is now to demand that so-called Christians cease-and-desist twisting the Bible and the teachings of Jesus to their own advantage. Let our Christian voices be heard; the gospel of Jesus is universally inclusive.
We can love and embrace people of all faith traditions, all pigmentation, all orientation. We may not be well-known or as vocal as others, but Christians of the left have a powerful message for all.
Steven L. Shields (slshields@gmail.com) has lived in Korea for many years, beginning in the 1970s. He served as copy editor of The Korea Times in 1977. He is a retired clergyman and vice president of the Royal Asiatic Society-Korea Branch.