• Title/Summary/Keyword: Faith Communities

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A New Challenge to Korean American Religious Identity: Cultural Crisis in Korean American Christianity

  • Ro, Young-Chan
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.18
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    • pp.53-79
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    • 2004
  • This paper explores the relationship between Korean immigrants to the United States and their religious identity from the cultural point of view. Most scholarly studies on Korean immigrants in the United States have been dominated by sociological approach and ethnic studies in examining the social dimension of the Korean immigrant communities while neglecting issues concerning their religious identity and cultural heritage. Most Korean immigrants to America attend Korean churches regardless their religious affiliation before they came to America. One of the reasons for this phenomenon is the fact that Korean church has provided a necessary social service for the newly arrived immigrants. Korean churches have been able to play a key role in the life of Korean immigrants. Korean immigrants, however, have shown a unique aspect regarding their religious identity compared to other immigrants communities in the United States. America is a nation of immigrants, coming from different parts of the world. Each immigrant community has brought their unique cultural heritage and religious persuasion. Asian immigrants, for example, brought their own traditional religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism. People from the Middle Eastern countries brought Islamic faith while European Jews brought the Jewish tradition. In these immigrant communities, religious identity and cultural heritage were homo genously harmonized. Jewish people built synagogue and taught Hebrew, Jewish history, culture, and faith. In this case, synagogue was not only the house of worship for Jews but also the center for learning Jewish history, culture, faith, and language. In short, Jewish cultural history was intimately related to Jewish religious history; for Jewish immigrants, learning their social and political history was indeed identical with leaning of their religious history. The same can be said about the relationship between Indian community and Hinduism. Hindu temples serve as the center of Indian immigrantsin providing the social, cultural, and spiritual functions. Buddhist temples, for that matter, serve the same function to the people from the Asian countries. Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Tibetans, and Thais have brought their respective Buddhist traditions to America and practice and maintain both their religious faith and cultural heritage. Middle Eastern people, for example, have brought Islamic faith to the United States, and Mosques have become the center for learning their language, practicing their faith, and maintaining their cultural heritage. Korean immigrants, unlike any other immigrant group, have brought Christianity, which is not a Korean traditional religion but a Western religion they received in 18th and 19th centuries from the West and America, back to the United States, and church has become the center of their lives in America. In this context, Koreans and Korean-Americans have a unique situation in which they practice Christianity as their religion but try to maintain their non-Christian cultural heritage. For the Korean immigrants, their religious identity and cultural identity are not the same. Although Korean church so far has provides the social and religious functions to fill the need of Korean immigrants, but it may not be able to become the most effective institution to provide and maintain Korean cultural heritage. In this respect, Korean churches must be able to open to traditional Korean religions or the religions of Korean origin to cultivate and nurture Korean cultural heritage.

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A New Horizon of Understanding of the Faith Community Based on the Concept of Immunity between Ecclesia and Esposito (에클레시아와 에스포지토의 면역 개념에 입각한 신앙공동체 이해의 새 지평)

  • Yang, Seung-Joon
    • Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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    • v.62
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    • pp.161-186
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    • 2020
  • This study was conducted with the aim of opening a new horizon in understanding the church, which is a community of faith, in the context of losing social credibility with selfishness and closedness, and spreading social distance due to the epidemic. First, the concept and meaning of 'Ecclesia', a representative term for the church, was studied historically, biblically, and theologically, and Paul's intention was frequently used. Second, we explored the new horizons of the community of faith through a discussion of Roberto Esposito's Communitas and Immunitas, which unraveled the relationship between community and individual with an immunological concept. Not only dis lose social trust for a variety of reasons, but it has been pointed out as a target of social distancing due to the spread of the epidemic virus and is facing a crisis of weakening or loss of the faith community of the "church". Since the second epidemic has been predicted since Covid-19, the partial loss of daily life and the weakening and loss of meeting worship and fellowship in the church are inevitable. The church in the future needs to transform and build a true community of faith that understands the concept of immunity and can lead the transformation of society while revealing the spirit and life scent of Jesus Christ. To this end, innovation and practice of the paradigm of the community of faith appropriate to the rapidly changing times and situations is required. In Chapter 1 of this paper, we propose innovation by pointing out the problems of the church and the faith community, which have lost social credibility, and which are the objects of social distance, with selfishness and closedness. Chapter 2 studies and analyzes the 'Ecclesia' used in ancient Greek to transform the paradigm of the faith community, and identifies the intention of the apostle Paul to apply the 'Ecclesia' to the church's faith community. Chapter 3-4 discusses the concept of immunity, summarizes the reinterpretation of Esposito, who looked at the relationship between the individual and the community through the concept of positive immunity beyond negative immunity. And It draws application points for transforming the faith community of various communities, individuals, and churches. In conclusion, Chapter 5 restores precious gatherings and participation that are weakened and lost through the meaning of 'Ecclesia' and suggests expansion to higher level public gatherings and democratic participation. In addition, based on the reinterpretation of the concept of immunity, we present unity in diversity and diversity in unity as alternatives to the church and community of faith.

Spiritual Health in Korean Culture -Q methodological approach- (한국인의 영적건강에 관한 유형별 탐색 - Q 방법론적 접근 -)

  • Shim, Hyung Wha
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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    • v.22 no.2
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    • pp.129-138
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    • 2015
  • Purpose: This paper is a basic study done to establish spiritual health concepts according to Korean culture. The focus was on identifying perceived concepts of spiritual health in Korean people. Methods: The Q method, which is effective in measuring individual subjectivity, was used in this study. Results: Perception of the concept of spiritual health was found to have 3 independent types, Type I is a self-directed, present life centered type. This is a group stressing the importance of planning self-directed life and the people of this group consider the values of the present life as important. Type II is a faith-oriented, afterlife centered type. This is a group whose essence of spiritual health is religious devotion like faith in god and the people of this group do not sympathize with the oriental world view. Type III is an oriental, value-sharing type. This is a group with an oriental world view and the people of this group stress importance in sharing values with communities or others. Conclusion: These results not only become the basis for understanding the concept of spiritual health among Koreans, but also suggest the necessity of comprehensive education for spiritual health promotion.

Communal Coherence, Spirituality and Clothing Symbolism of the Chief Priest in the Ga Traditional Governance

  • Kwakye-Opong, Regina
    • International Journal of Costume and Fashion
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    • v.14 no.2
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    • pp.33-50
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    • 2014
  • Investigations on the symbolic role, spiritual health benefits and efficacy of the clothing items of the Ga wolomo (chief priest) have received little attention. Highlighting the relevance of these clothes, this paper focuses on the chief priest's dress code for his appointment, confinement, ordination, ceremonial and daily life activities. Data were collected through content analysis, participant observation and interviews with people from selected Ga communities, such as La, Teshie and Ga Mashie. The findings revealed that the selection of the chief priest is confirmed with a special clothing item. His traditional clothes and adornment also have meanings, importance and symbolic interpretations; explained in their uses, colour and style. As the spiritual head, the role of the chief priest's costume is very distinguished and symbolic in executing his duties; protecting, strengthening faith, confidence and assurance during spiritual healing, and when solving pertinent problems in the community. The paper concludes by recommending further research and documentation on other aspects of the Ga clothing culture, such as hand items and hair styles from the pre-colonial period to the present.

Towards Intercultural Christian Education: A Christian Educational Response to Multicultural Phenomenon in the South Korean Context (상호문화적 기독교교육: 한국의 다문화현상에 대한 기독교교육적 응답)

  • Choi, Heejin
    • Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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    • v.61
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    • pp.263-294
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    • 2020
  • In South Korea which has become a multicultural society, ethnic and cultural others have suffered from discrimination against them and isolation from society. Multicultural policies and multicultural public education have simply focused on the assimilation of cultural others without providing opportunities to build a reciprocal relationship between Kor eans and cultural others. Noting this reality, this paper proposes intercultural Christian education as a prophetic and educational role of faith communities in society. Intercultural education, intercultural theology, Miroslav Volf's drama of embrace, and Sang-Jin Park's theory of the ecosystem of Christian education offer theoretical foundations for intercultural Christian education. Based on these foundations, the paper discusses the definition and goal of intercultural Christian education and argues for the roles of intercultural Christian education to help Christ ians "SEE" the self, the other, and the community through self-reflection, embrace, and ecological transformation. As intercultural Christian education pursues to nurture Christians to have a respectful and hospitable mindset toward cultural others, such education will help faith communities seek a multi-colored kingdom of God.

Sinjungsin Mask Play Study (신중신탈놀이 연구)

  • Yun, Dong-Hwan
    • (The) Research of the performance art and culture
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    • no.40
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    • pp.163-192
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    • 2020
  • Sinjungsin Mask Play, one of Ttangseolbeop, is related to Seongjusin's life story. Sinjungsin Mask Play is a reconstruction of the story of the folk gods Seongjusin met while returning home. Seongjusin's life story proceeds in the form of Mask Play, and the monk who leads the sermon plays narration and main roles. Many believers play various roles and musicians. Sinjungsin Mask Play introduces many folk beliefs, sounds for intrigue, and talks. Sinjungsin Mask Play uses the same method of enumeration and repetition as the existing Mask Play. The repetition of a sentence or phrase plays a role in foreseeing the meaning of the context or foretelling the development of the plot to the audience. This repetition is intended to emphasize the situation of the scene and to create rhythm. Since Mask Play was exclusively for the common people, Mask Play actors use the repeating method commonly used in folk songs to form lines. This gives the audience a familiarity, effectively communicating the lines and responding to their tastes. Sinjungsin Mask Play borrowed people's way of playing for the public's mission. It inherits the dramatic forms of traditional traditional plays such as repetition of words or sentences or phrases, codification of words or sentences, borrowing of existing songs, and formal expression units. In addition, through repeated performances, believers can easily and easily learn and understand. This is the dramatic form and characteristics of Sinjungsin Mask Play. Sinjungsin Mask Play was handed down from Faith Communities and was used as a means of folk cultivation to spread illegality. Buddhism externalizes the process of accepting folk beliefs through Mask Play, and in the case of Shinto who participated directly or indirectly, they naturally acquire the belief system of Hwaeom Kyung through play. Sinjungsin Mask Play, one of Ttangseolbeop, can be said to have great value as an ICH, as well as popularization and mission.

The Study on The Cyber Communities of Migrant Workers in Korea (한국 이주 노동자의 '사이버 공동체'에 관한 연구)

  • Lee, Jeong Hyang;Kim, Yeong Kyeong
    • Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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    • v.19 no.2
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    • pp.324-339
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    • 2013
  • This study aims to investigate the characteristics of cyber communities composed of migrant workers from communities without propinquity in Korea. Its methods are both qualitative and quantitative. It further seeks to discover the relationship between the social capital formed and reproduced within these cyber communities and participants' cultural adaptation to Korean society. The study revealed that ethnic and non-ethnic communities differed in terms of strength of cohesion, space constraints, and links with the outside world. The former showed characteristics of a localized community type. The main motivations for migrant workers' participation in the ethnic cyber community were communication and friendship rather than cooperation and sharing among members. They usually used cyber communication media to communicate with one another. Conversely, the latter showed characteristics of an integrative type. Despite the difficulties in applying for membership and information provided in Korean, a high percentage of migrant workers participated in the community to obtain crucial information. The results did not show a significant correlation between social capital and migrant workers' traits within the cyber community, while a strong correlation emerged among four factors of social capital: faith, norms, networking, and political participation. The study showed that social capital in the cyber community was in direct proportion to an integrative type of cultural adaptation to Korean society. In particular, there was a strong connection between the cultural adaptation exhibited by members of the migrant subculture and their participation in discussions on political issues and human rights, with some migrants even functioning as agents of social change as participants in citizens' movements. The findings suggest that the cyber community facilitates the migrant subculture's communication with and integration into the indigenous Korean culture. Migrant workers' participation in the cyber community is therefore validated as an instrumental practice for members of this subculture to adapt to Korean society.

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Parish Nursing : A New Challenge for Primary Health Care (지역교회간호(Parish Nursing) - 일차건강간호를 위한 새로운 도약)

  • No, Yu-Ja;Baek, Yeong-Mi
    • The Korean Nurse
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    • v.37 no.2
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    • pp.53-62
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    • 1998
  • ursing as a profession is characterized by its holistic, mind-body-spirit approach to the patient. Also, nurses have historically been the leaders in health education and promotion. Parish nursing has a great potential for providing primary preventive health care. services as well as assisting people to access the health care system. While working in the community, parish nurses see the church as the new arena for delivering health care services. The parish nurse program was introduced by Granger Westberg in 1984. The concept of parish nursing is based on several beliefs; health is multidimensional and affects all aspects of an individual-physical, psychological, social, and spiritaul being. Parish nursing is one model in which churches can cooperatively work with health care institutions to address the needs of their parishioners. The role of the parish nurse is emphasized in four basic area: a) health education, b) health counseling, c) referal services, and d) facilitation and organization of support groups within the congregation. The parish nurse programs work chiefly in congregation or commuity where a certain language of faith is ready at hand. This means that the parish nurse works in an ecology of meanings and care which encourages the drawing on the message of God's grace, the practices and habits it encourages. The parish nurse may be involved in the church's health ministries and may work on either paid or volunteer basis; however, one of the most important qualification of the parish nurse is to have the nursing knowledge and skills to practice within the standards of Nursing Practice Act. The completion of standards of practice for professional nurses practicing as parish nurses had been identified as a priority by the HMA Executive Board (1996, HMA). In conclusion, parish nursing promotes health and healing by empowering the faith community, family, or individual to incorporate health and healing practices. There are several preconditions that should proceed to establish the foundation for successful development of the parish nursing program in Korea. First, reciprocal relationship with home health nursing should be considered. Second, correct terms and concepts of parish nursing should be studied and understood. Third, systematic study and investigation should be followed for further development of parish nursing. Fourth, strengths and weaknesses of different models should be studied to develop proper model of parish nursing for Korean situation. Finally, consensus of standardized education program and corporation with various religious communities as well as health institutions should be established. When these preconditions are met, the role of parish nursing as a new program for the promotion of holistic health will be established.

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A Study on Daesoon Jinrihoe's Participation and Role in International Development Cooperations (대순진리회의 국제개발협력 참여와 역할에 관한 시론적 연구)

  • Park Geon-woo
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.45
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    • pp.103-151
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    • 2023
  • This study aims to examine the International Development Cooperations (IDCs) of Daesoon Jinrihoe and discuss the future prospects of these programs in terms of Daesoon Thought. The international community calls for the active participation of various donors, and this is not limited to only traditional donors such as governments, public institutions, and multilateral organizations. In this regard, the role of Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for religious communities is recognized as important. Daesoon Jinrihoe has systematized its IDCs by expanding its overseas services to implement the three major works with the official establishment of the Daejin International Volunteers Association (DIVA) in 2013. In addition to these activities, Daesoon Jinrihoe was selected by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in 2022. As a new religion, Daesoon Jinrihoe does not provide as much support via FBOs when compared to other traditional religions (Christianity, Buddhism, Catholicism, etc.), but it is able to conduct strategic IDCs by utilizing its expertise and capabilities (education, healthcare, etc.). In fact, the nature and content of the projects carried out by these FBOs and Daesoon Jinrihoe are similar, and the results have been remarkable considering that these programs are still in their infancy. Above all, Daesoon Jinrihoe's foreign aid is more meaningful because it does not have a religious purpose such as missionary work, and it is funded by donations from believers. In carrying out IDCs, it is necessary to promote the professionalism of IDCs based on the strategic linkage of the three major works (charity aid, social welfare, and education). It is also necessary to recognize the value and spirit of IDCs for peace and coexistence based on mutual beneficence.

A Study on the Formation Factors and Characters of Yi Women's Headdress in China (중국 이족(彝族) 여성 두식(頭飾)의 형성요인과 특징에 관한 연구)

  • Wang, Huiyuan;Soh, Hwangoak
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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    • v.67 no.3
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    • pp.66-80
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    • 2017
  • The headdress is one of the most important clothing characters in China, as it was used to distinguish the 55 minority groups in China. Each minority group has a unique headdress culture. Among the 55 minority groups, the Zang, the Yi, and the Miao focus their ethnic costumes on the headdress, and have a more distinctive headdress culture compared to be other nationality groups. The Yi is one of the minority groups that linvd in Southwest China. They usually lived in compact communities in Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou provinces, as well as the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous region. The total population of the Yi is the sixth largest among the 55 minority groups. Modern scholars believe that the Yi people are descendants of the ancient Qiang people, which is a group that lived in Northwest China six or seven thousand years before. It is believed that the Qiang went down to the southern part of China and allied with the aboriginals in that region, and this group of people became the Yi, Due to its long history, cultural background, and the large number of people and settlements, they have produced a unique costume culture. The women's headdress culture is considered to be the one of the most important characteristics of their costume culture. There are four forming element of the Yi women's headdress, religious faith, myths, geographical distribution and customs & festivals. The first three elements play an important role in the protection and spread of headdress, while the fourth element provides potential for the modern headdress development. Because of much influence factors, more than 100 types of Yi women headdresses have developed. Depends on categories, Yi woman headdress can be divided into kerchief, hat, fascinator and other accessories wore on the hand. This study investigated the development of the Yi women's headwear, and screened and analyzed representative Yi women accessories, such as the headscarf, hat, and fascinator. This analysis will provide basic materials for further studies of Yi women's headdress or costume.