Critical Reflections on the Stubborn Uniformity of Korean Protestantism: Focusing Its Repulsion Toward Darwinism and Queerness

Abstract

In recent days, Korean Protestantism begins to show symptoms of shrinkage. As a possible cause of such shrinkage, this thesis pays attention to the phenomena of uniformity that prevails among Korean Protestant churches regardless of denominational differences. Among several aspects of the uniformity, two aspects are conspicuous in recent days. One is the repulsion against Darwinian theory of evolution, the other the hatred against homosexuality. In this thesis, firstly, by analyzing several documents of evolution vs creation debates triggered by creationists petition for revising high school science textbook, I diagnose the causes of Korean Protestants repulsion against Darwinism. Secondly, likewise, by analyzing several documents of homophobic propaganda triggered by recent same-sex marriage issue, I diagnose the causes of the Korean Protestants hatred against homosexuality. Through these works, I will show how Korean Protestantism is assembling under new banners of anti-Darwinism and homophobia and, as the result, is transforming itself into a rigid and asocial religion.