서양신종교의 한국에서의 활동과 전개의 유형비교-바하이신앙과 기적수업의 한국화를 중심으로-

Abstract

This paper deals with the types of Koreanization in Western new religions, especially Baha’i Faith(BF) and A Course in Miracles[ACM]. Since Buddhism and Christianity are popular in Korean society and Korean national religions exist, these new religions have difficulty in occupying the hearts of Korean people. First, Hare Krishna movement initiated the mission to the Koreans,but Indian nationals dominated this group. Therefore, it is classified into the type of isolation. Second, the Raelian movement, which we can regard as the type of recession, caught the public concern of Koreans due to the issue of human cloning, but anti-Raelian movements blocked the growth of the Raelians in Korea. Third, in spite of the debate of heresy, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons increased their membership to 10,000. They can be thought of the type of revitalization. Fourth,after Baha’i Faith decreased after the golden age, it faces the stagnation. It belongs to the type of reduction. Fifth, A Course in Miracles, a New age group, made religious networks within cyber spaces and off-line activities. The translation of its text led followers to share their experience with one another. It can be called the type of adjustment. Baha’i Faith sprang from Shii Islam, but it became the world religion with 5 million members. On the doctrinal basis of progressive revelation, it seeks for the recruitment of Koreans through study groups, children groups,and regular feasts. After the Korean War, the active mission of the BF succeeded in converting Koreans to the BF. It, however, failed to adopt itself to new environment. Its members are looking for new direction to overcome the present stagnation and to transmit BF by translating Baha’i revelation into Korean language. A Course in Miracles attracts Korean intellectuals by offering a new interpretation of Christian worldview. Cyber communities play important role of strengthening the identity of ACM. The recent translations of ACM attracts religious seekers. In conclusion, Western new religions give new meaning and the sense of belonging to religious pilgrims and secular seekers. In BF and ACM,the activities of text translation and literature mission are important in rebuilding the direction of their transformation and evolution.