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Religious Governance and the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Asian Context
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Religious Governance and the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Asian Context

A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444). This special issue belongs to the section "Religions and Health/Psychology/Social Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (8 October 2022) | Viewed by 23003

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Kwangsuk Yoo

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Guest Editor
Institute for Religion and Civic Culture, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
Interests: religious market theory; religion and civic movement; religion and ecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jeaney Yip

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Sydney Business School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
Interests: religious organization and social identity; religion and economic development
Prof. Dr. Andrew Eungi Kim

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Graduate School of International Studies, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
Interests: sociology of religion; non-official religion; religious ethics and economy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As with other regions, governmental measures against COVID-19 have had a significant impact on the relationship between religious communities and secular regimes in many Asian countries. Their relationship should be distinguished from the pre-pandemic era for many reasons and in various aspects. Religions in Asia show different responses to governmental measures, such as the compulsory closure of facilities, limitations on the number of participants, penalty of violations, or ways of mutual cooperation. Although religious gatherings and places of worship often turn out to be major sources of collective infection, they still struggle against the authorities that aim to restrict their religious freedom in time and space. In this context, this Special Issue focuses on examining a newly shaping relationship between religion and secular regimes due to the recent pandemic, as well as providing an insight into regional similarities and differences in Asian regions. There are only a few pieces of research on this recent change in religious governance, especially in the Asian context. The COVID-19 pandemic in Asia has triggered new public debate of how to restrict religious freedoms and how to guarantee fair treatment between religious majorities and minorities.

This issue will contribute to finding a new model of religious governance appropriate to the pandemic era in theory, in practice, and by politics. Although all authors interested in this problem are invited to this issue, regardless of their methodological perspectives or hypotheses, we Editors prefer articles reflecting political, social, and cultural specifications of each country in Asia. There are no few existing examples in the literature based on simply describing or explaining religious diversity in the Asian context without taking into account interactive dynamics between religion and the Asian context itself. However, this issue eventually aims to discover an Asian type of religious governance in terms of the interaction between religion(s) and its contexts, the COVID-19 pandemic in particular.   

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 400–600 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editors (Email [email protected]) or to the Religions Editorial Office ([email protected]). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purposes of ensuring a proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

Dr. Kwangsuk Yoo
Dr. Jeaney Yip
Prof. Dr. Andrew Eungi Kim
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • religious governance in Asia
  • religion and the pandemic in Asia
  • religious policy in Asia
  • religious diversity in Asia

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 288 KiB  
Article
Governmental Response to ‘COVID-19’ and Religious Freedom in Korea as Compared to the United States
by Daeho Choi and Taesoo Kim
Religions 2023, 14(2), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14020173 - 29 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2691
Abstract
During the COVID-19 crisis, the Korean government’s restrictions on religious freedom have caused several reactions. These can be divided into two categories: first, as several Christian groups have become the center of controversy over exacerbating the spread of COVID-19, the public sentiment towards [...] Read more.
During the COVID-19 crisis, the Korean government’s restrictions on religious freedom have caused several reactions. These can be divided into two categories: first, as several Christian groups have become the center of controversy over exacerbating the spread of COVID-19, the public sentiment towards religious gatherings has lost favorability. Second, there had been an increase in resistance to Christian groups and their right to worship. Regarding these issues, although the resistance from religious groups has not been as prominent as in the West, it is believed by both Korea and the West that the conflict between state power and religious right is at the root of this problem. This study reviews the Korean government’s restrictions on religious activities and the consequent resistance of churches from a legal and institutional angle. In addition, this study compares the Korean approach to that of the United States in terms of governmental measures, the resistance of churches, and judgments issued by the judiciary. After demonstrating stronger restrictions in the case of Korea, this study evaluates this response in terms of legal and religious pluralism, and suggests that more sophisticated legal and institutional supplementation is needed to establish a robust and viable religious governance based on diversity and mutual respect. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religious Governance and the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Asian Context)
11 pages, 745 KiB  
Article
Rethinking Public Religion in Korea: The Role of Religions in the Era of Climate Crisis
by Dong-Uhn Suh and Hyun Kyoung Kim
Religions 2023, 14(1), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14010103 - 11 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1940
Abstract
This paper attempts to explore the public dimension of religion in Korea. First, it examines the Western and East Asian contexts on the concept of ’public’, noting that the gap in notions of public is large between East Asian and Western traditions. The [...] Read more.
This paper attempts to explore the public dimension of religion in Korea. First, it examines the Western and East Asian contexts on the concept of ’public’, noting that the gap in notions of public is large between East Asian and Western traditions. The following section discusses Habermas’ ‘institutional translation proviso’ in relation to the notion ‘public’. The institutional translation proviso serves as the basis for further discussion on rethinking the public role of religion in Korea in the era of climate crisis. We argue that ‘secular’ translations of religious convictions can help religious citizens and communities engage in public discourses on ecological challenges. We then consider major limitations of Habermas’ understanding of religion. In the following section, we move on to discuss Albert Schweitzer and process theology in order to demonstrate how religious languages can be reinterpreted on the basis of modern experiences of ecological challenges. We then consider Buddhist alternatives for overcoming the climate crisis. The final section introduces José Casanova’s account of public religions and discusses its implication for envisioning the public role of religious organizations in ecological efforts. Reviewing the contributions made by religious organizations to the Korean society, we suggest that ‘ecological publicness’ of religion can be obtained. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religious Governance and the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Asian Context)
18 pages, 853 KiB  
Article
A Study on the Possibility of Religious Governance of New Religions in Korea: Focusing on the Ecological Worldview of Donghak and Won Buddhism
by Jongman Kim and Andrew Eungi Kim
Religions 2022, 13(12), 1165; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13121165 - 1 Dec 2022
Viewed by 2209
Abstract
The most serious threats to humankind today are environmental and ecological problems. The global warming in particular is generally perceived as a serious threat to the survival of humanity and this sense of urgency has given us a chance to consider our place [...] Read more.
The most serious threats to humankind today are environmental and ecological problems. The global warming in particular is generally perceived as a serious threat to the survival of humanity and this sense of urgency has given us a chance to consider our place in the ecosystem and question our anthropocentrism. Various faiths acknowledge human obligations to protect the environment and preserve biodiversity. In the Korean context, while the eco-friendly worldviews of Buddhism are well-known, very little is known about other Korean religions’ views on the environment. This paper examines whether representative new religions of Korea, namely Donghak and Won Buddhism, can contribute as “religious mechanisms” in alleviating ecological problems. The paper particularly focuses on the former’s doctrine of samgyeong or “the Threefold Respect” and the latter’s philosophy of saeun or “the Fourfold Grace,” examining their relevance for religious governance. The paper argues that these two doctrines are permeated with an ecological view implying the need for all living things, including humans, animals and plants as well as the natural environment, to coexist. The paper also argues that these two religions, complete with guidelines for actions or practices, provide a path for building the possibility of religious governance through religious awakening of believers, mutual respect and mutual trust, and mutual communication and reflective cooperation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religious Governance and the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Asian Context)
12 pages, 240 KiB  
Article
The Characteristics of Changes in State-Church Relations in Korea’s COVID-19 Pandemic
by Jungyeon Yi
Religions 2022, 13(11), 1124; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13111124 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1994
Abstract
Following the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, the Korean government announced restrictions on religious activities such as worship services and small group gatherings. Unlike their Buddhist and Catholic counterparts, who responded relatively pliably to the government’s quarantine guidelines, Protestants were divided in their responses: [...] Read more.
Following the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, the Korean government announced restrictions on religious activities such as worship services and small group gatherings. Unlike their Buddhist and Catholic counterparts, who responded relatively pliably to the government’s quarantine guidelines, Protestants were divided in their responses: some churches actively complied with the government’s instructions, while other churches voiced opposition. This study analyzes the cases of two churches that responded differently to the government’s quarantine restrictions. The goal is to analyze the characteristics of changes in Korea’s ‘state-religion’ relationship in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first characteristic of the changing state-religious relationship is that the state-church relationship can no longer be divided into a progressive or conservative dichotomy like before but rather is individualized for each church. The second is that the state-church relationship differs by issue and that regional variables play a bigger role than before. Local churches, in particular, are more likely to become influenced by their region in their relationship with the government than those in Seoul and other metropolitan areas. This is because these churches are able to exert more influence in the region with their human and material resources. The local church’s response to the COVID-19 quarantine guidelines showed how the church could either bond with or confront the government in dealing with natural and social disasters, as well as local problems. The changes and characteristics of the state-church relationship in the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea provide insight into future analyses of state-religious relations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religious Governance and the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Asian Context)
10 pages, 931 KiB  
Article
Evolution of Korean Megachurch Christianity Intensified by the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Socio-Political Context
by Kwang Suk Yoo
Religions 2022, 13(11), 1109; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13111109 - 16 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2274
Abstract
This paper examines how megachurch congregations in South Korea responded to governmental measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of religious governance. This empirical study of Saeronam Church (SC) in Daejeon shows that the unexpected crisis forced its congregants to look back [...] Read more.
This paper examines how megachurch congregations in South Korea responded to governmental measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of religious governance. This empirical study of Saeronam Church (SC) in Daejeon shows that the unexpected crisis forced its congregants to look back on their faithfulness in terms of self-reflection, and hence, made them more committed to their congregation socially and organizationally. The theologically and politically conservative megachurch congregants tend to regard the pandemic crisis as a God-planned ordeal which must be endured not only through self-reflection and repentance, but also through protection of their congregation from secular authorities. This attitude made it easier for conservative congregants to protest against governmental quarantine measures more explicitly and collectively. While some argue that the COVID-19 pandemic basically accelerated secularity by shrinking religious influence on society, this paper finds this aspect remarkably opposite in Korean conservative churches like SC, and emphasizes how a secular challenge, like the recent quarantine measures, can intensify megachurch Christianity. In this sense, it claims that the second-generation Korean megachurches like SC cannot be explained entirely by traditional theories of urbanization, marketing strategies, and church growth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religious Governance and the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Asian Context)
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15 pages, 269 KiB  
Article
Religious Governance as Collaboration for the Resolution of Disgust: The Case of Protestantism in South Korea
by Minah Kim
Religions 2022, 13(11), 1097; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13111097 - 14 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2946
Abstract
The pandemic enhanced disgust for the socially disadvantaged. In South Korea, hatred of the Chinese, the Shincheonji Church, sexual minorities, and migrant workers intensified during the pandemic. In this social atmosphere of fear and anxiety, Korean Protestantism turned into a representative group that [...] Read more.
The pandemic enhanced disgust for the socially disadvantaged. In South Korea, hatred of the Chinese, the Shincheonji Church, sexual minorities, and migrant workers intensified during the pandemic. In this social atmosphere of fear and anxiety, Korean Protestantism turned into a representative group that promotes and spreads disgust. In particular, homophobia can be said to be led by the conservative Protestants in Korea. A secularization strategy proposed by David Martin has significant implications in resolving this disgust demonstrated by Korean Protestants. Martin asserts that Christianity should respond appropriately to the demands for the enhancement of the public good with the resources of religion that he calls secularization. This paper argues that religion-government governance can be a process and system that makes possible secularization in which religion realizes the virtues of reconciliation and hospitality beyond conflict and disgust. Among various types of governance, collaborative governance is the most appropriate for religion-government governance to resolve disgust for the socially disadvantaged. Here, collaboration means the process of pursuing the realization of the public good by creating new values beyond the actors’ interests. A case for this can be found in the collaboration between some Protestants and LGBTQIA+ rights activists and the government to support anonymous COVID-19 tests on homosexuals during the pandemic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religious Governance and the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Asian Context)
26 pages, 5775 KiB  
Article
Challenges and Response of Korean Religions to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea
by Jeonok Lim, Jae-ik Kim, Mi-hee Nam, Chulhoo Jun and Kwangsoo Park
Religions 2022, 13(11), 1065; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13111065 - 4 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 7541
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has triggered many lifestyle changes and caused serious social issues such as economic disruption, restriction of social and religious activities, and an increase in anxiety and conflict. This study first elaborates the pre-pandemic status of Korean religions and the [...] Read more.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has triggered many lifestyle changes and caused serious social issues such as economic disruption, restriction of social and religious activities, and an increase in anxiety and conflict. This study first elaborates the pre-pandemic status of Korean religions and the Korean government’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Second, the study examines the debates regarding the role of religion at the initial stage of the COVID-19 outbreak, as some members of religious denominations such as Shinchonji Church of Jesus and some Protestant churches led by Pastor Chŏn’s Love First Church (K. Sarangjeil) significantly contributed to its spread through their religious services and gatherings. In this regard, this study examines how the media portrayed religion in this period. When the Korean government implemented strong distance and prohibition policies for social and religious gatherings, the issue of religious freedom became a serious social issue, driving the public to think about the social role of religions when it comes to public health. Without a doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Korean society and religions, producing some negative symptoms such as the corona-blue syndrome. In this context, this study examines the role of religion in public health. The role of religion in Korea may need to change. Given that most religions in Korea such as Buddhism, Catholicism, and Won-Buddhism have actively cooperated with the government policy to overcome COVID-19, these religions can help heal the post-pandemic traumas and suffering from the ensuing natural or social disasters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religious Governance and the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Asian Context)
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