과학시대의 새로운 종교양태 연구 : 과학을 도구로 하는 종교양태를 중심으로

Abstract

This thesis chose a few of new religions among the 'religions to use science as a means' that have great influences on modern society and dealt with how the y adopted scientific contents as their religious creed, More than any others, Raelian Movement and 'Scientology' which started from scientific base and transferred it into religion are the new religions that represent the age of science. Rael established Raelian Movement through his contact with aliens with high-tech science and Hubbard founded Scientology to dist ribute best scient ific technology to t reat even human brain. In addition, 'Christia n Science' and 'Religious Science' belonging to the 'Mind Science" spectrum which asserts spiritual science to treat human diseases can be included in the 'new religions to use science as a means', They accept metaphysical and transcendental thin gs as science and adopted them as their major creed. In addition, t he 'UFO-worship group' and the 'New Age' religion which speaks about a new world utilizing astronomical content s are included in the new religious patte rns of the science age, Studying how these religions were born, what kind of scientific knowledge they accepted as th eir religious creed, and how they made their religion grow based on such creeds will reveal the characteristics of the religions that use science as their basic material. How should we understand that 'religions to use science as a means' come cut as such, that is , how should we theologically understand the co-existence of contradictions? Why do people prefer the word 'science' which is a difficult concept to understa nd? Why do they show such an intense interest in unproven and even seemingly unscientific UFO, alien, and so on while they say they are pursuing scientific religion? The present author tries to find the answers to these questions in the desire of 'dialectical integration of scientific contents and religious creed'. As science develops, things that do not look scientific lose their ground. On th e contrary, however. religion cannot maintain its vita lity with cont inuous pursuit of something scientific. Without symbols and images , religion is nothing but an incident or miracle, The modern new religions in pursuit of science accept in different manner the symbols and images which they have rejected in previous religions , which sometimes reveal themselves as visible external image such as UFO or sometimes as metaphysical and transcendental images to be found in "Mind Science' or 'Human Potential Development Movement'. In the times when the existence such as God and angel is invisible. UFO can play the role of a visible Cod, and focusing on supernatural power inside human being is sufficient to incorporate mystery which is an important element in a religion. Religion cannot exist independent of the times, and thus it makes its temporal adaptation . But it can be seen that religion does not deviate from the basic archetype of salvation even though times change. It is presented to people being interpreted as appropriate for the times with its basic archetype remained sound, Therefore. examining the meaning of age-specific religion can become an important measuring stick to read the times.