Large Crowd of Over a Million Korean Christians Gather in Unity to Support Family Values and Petition for National Blessings
Over One Million Korean Christians Gather to Affirm Traditional Marriage Values
Over 2.1 million people, both onsite and online, participated in a joint worship service in Seoul, South Korea, on October 27, to affirm traditional marriage and family values and to oppose same-sex marriage legislation.
The gathering, organized by Korean Christian churches, emphasized the event's importance for the Korean church to reflect on its social responsibility and the essence of faith. Speakers from the UK and Germany encouraged Korean Christians not to follow the same path as their own countries and instead be a beacon for churches around the world.
The event highlighted the church's role in society, with one speaker comparing it to salt and light. The service in Seoul also called on the government, Constitutional Court, National Assembly, and ministry of education to refrain from enacting laws allowing gay marriage or promoting homosexuality and gender ideology through textbooks in schools.
Churches that participated in the event issued a joint declaration claiming the protection of the family and everyone's right to "freedom of religion, speech, thought, and expression." Korean Christian churches and individuals protested against an anti-discrimination law acknowledging the rights of partners in same-sex couples to receive state health insurance.
The opposition to same-sex marriage reflects concerns about preserving traditional definitions of marriage grounded in Christian beliefs and societal values. Historically, Korean culture, influenced by Confucian values, deeply respects traditional family structures involving a father and mother, which reinforces resistance to altering marriage definitions.
The mass gathering is part of a broader global debate where religious groups perceive legal recognition of same-sex marriage as a threat to their beliefs and societal norms. The opposition often argues that such laws could lead to legal penalties for religious individuals refusing to participate in or endorse same-sex unions.
Hyun-bo So, senior pastor of Segero Church in Busan, stated that the Christian church cannot stand up for what they believe in if gay marriage laws are passed in Korea. About 230,000 people attended the service according to the Yonhap news agency, citing police.
The spokesperson for the organizing committee, Kim Jeong-hee, stated that the verdict on the law was unconstitutional because same-sex marriage has not been legalized. Jeong-hee also pointed out that the law could be a starting point for same-sex marriage legalization policy, and that the issue is not just a Christian issue, but a crisis that shakes the country's foundation.
Three sermons were delivered during the service, urging the church to not remain silent to safeguard families and children. The speakers from the UK and Germany urged Korean Christians to shine the light of God's truth.
In summary, the mass gathering reflects:
- A defense of traditional, religiously defined marriage as between a man and a woman, aligned with Korean cultural and Christian values.
- Concern over legal changes that might compel participation in same-sex marriages or undermine religious freedom.
- A broad social and religious mobilization to influence lawmakers and public opinion against same-sex marriage legalization.
- The continuity of historic patterns of opposition to changing marriage laws seen in multiple countries with strong religious communities.
The gathering emphasized the importance for Korean Christians to reflect on their social responsibility, particularly with regard to the traditional, religiously defined understanding of marriage as being between a man and a woman. This position aligns with Korean cultural and Christian values.
The event underscored concerns over potential legal changes that could compel religious participation in same-sex marriages or undermine religious freedom, emphasizing the need for a broad social and religious mobilization to influence lawmakers and public opinion against same-sex marriage legalization. This ongoing opposition reflects historical patterns seen in multiple countries with strong religious communities.
