Protestantism and Politics in Korea (Korean Studies of the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies)
Publisher: University of Washington Press
Published: August 2003
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 320
ISBN-13: 9780295981499
Subjects: Constitution: government & the state; Protestantism & Protestant Churches; Religion; History - General History; Asia - Korea; Christianity - Denominations; Religion, Politics & State; Christianity and politics; Church history; History; Korea; Presbyterian Church
Description: "Following its introduction to Korea in the late nineteenth century, Protestantism grew rapidly both in number of followers and in influence, and remained a dominating social and political force throughout the twentieth century. In Protestantism and Politics in Korea, Chung-shin Park charts this stunning growth and examines the shifting political associations of Korean Protestantism." "After World War II and the division of the Korean peninsula, however, most Protestant institutions in South Korea were conscripted into the fight against communism. In addition, they became involved in the postwar push for rapid economic development. These alliances led to increasing political conservatism, so that mainstream Korean Protestantism eventually became a stalwart defender of the authoritarian status quo. A small liberal minority remained politically active, supporting social and human rights causes throughout the 1960s and 1970s, laying the foundation for mass protests and gradual democratic liberalization in the 1980s. Park documents the theological evolution of Korean Protestantism from early fundamentalism to more liberal doctrines and shows how this evolution was reflected in the political landscape."--BOOK JACKET.