中國 遼寧省 韓國宗敎의 현황과 문제

Abstract

The exchanges between Korea and China are gradually increasing in various fields, including politics⋅economy⋅society and cultures since the opening of bilateral friendly relations between the two countries. In line with the increasing bilateral exchanges, Korea’s churches are vigorously developing religious activities in China, as proven by the fact that a number of missionaries are currently going to inland regions of China to preach their religious beliefs, marking the greatest number of missionaries dispatched. In view of socialist thoughts based on the scientific materialism, it is a matter of course that existence of religions, whose essences basically lie in believing in God and salvation, should be denied. The Chinese government, in the stage of development of socialism, provides for existence of religions and religious freedom provisionally by law. Here, what is meant by ‘religious freedom’ is individual citizen' freedom to choose and to manifest his or her religious belief. However, preaching religious beliefs to others s not allowed. In addition, missionary works by foreigners is strictly prohibited, which is one of special features of China’s religious policies. This is largely due to its historical experience in the past: China had suffered from invasion and plunder of the Western colonialists and imperialists. As part of the project to research into Korea’s religions in China, this study aims to examine the current status of Korea’s religions in Liaoning Province of China, to reconsider issues concerning methods in conducting missionary works and religious activities for Korea’s religions, and to propose new prospects for upcoming challenges in the Korea’s missionary works and religious activities in China. With all the developments and achievements accomplished hitherto, Korea’s missionary works and religious activities in China, based on denominationalism and unduly focused on achievements, have been actually counter productive in local religious activities in China. In this regard, there has been some deep self-examination among Korean churches. Considering special historical and political circumstances of China having a different governmental system and associated with sensitive affairs including matters relating to Korean Chinese people, North Korea,etc., it is advisable to develop religious activities in China and to devise measures for conducting missionary works in a roundabout way.