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 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  What are the gender trends 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 in China or Japan  Equal number of Buddhists as in China and Japan  Religious Adherence 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 today: 51% Male/ 49% Female  Women participate in religion twice the rate of men- more nuns than monks or priests  Christian Women activists: Bible women, evangelists, deacons, some elders and some pastors  Ordained Clergy: Still predominantly male