The development of Christianity in Japan, Korea and China
Introduction
Historically, the development of Christianity dates back to the birth of Jesus in the year 6 BC. As such, Christians purpose to live their lives according to the teachings of Jesus, whom they believe as the exclusive maker of heaven and earth (and its beings). Undoubtedly, many Christian believers value the life and teachings of Jesus, particularly the miracles he performed during his tenure on earth. Arguably, the greatest pillar behind Christianity is Jesus prophesies of his death and resurrection, which happened. Deductively, the mystery behind the demise and resurrection of Jesus is the main reason as to why Christianity has flourished over time. Conversely, development of Christianity all over the globe varies from nation to the other. Consequently, this paper seeks to contrast the development of Christianity in Korea, China and Japan respectively. In addition, the reasons for successful development of Christianity in the connoted nations will be elaborated. Reportedly, development of Christianity, particularly protestant Christianity has been feasible in Korea than in China and Japan.
Development of Christianity in Korea
Development of Christianity in Korea is attributed to missionary presence in China, in the years 1561-1663. As such, Koreans who managed to visit China during the mentioned era met with catholic missionaries who gave them western artifacts and books (Ch’oe, Lee, & Theodore, 117). This initiated interest amongst the Koreans in western religion as well as their astrological concepts. As such, books introducing European religion and other European concepts were written in Chinese were sourced to Korea. Arguably, it is through the presence of such manuscripts that resulted to the exposure of Christianity, particularly catholic denomination to the Koreans. Additionally, the fact that China was progressing upon adoption of western concepts inclusive of the western calendar generated more interest on the Koreans to do the same. Furthermore, the Korean calendar had succumbed to varied inaccuracies, thus creating more interest on the authorities responsible for designing it to yarn for the western calendar, perceived to be more accurate (Ch’oe, Lee, & Theodore, 118). Deductively, continued interest on western technology contributed significantly to the chances of Christianity, as a western concept, being emulated by the Koreans.
The continued flooding of Chinese missionary publications in Korea brought a notion amongst the Koreans that their missionary catholic religion was more superior that their current religion, Confucianism (Ch’oe, Lee, & Theodore, 124). Precisely, the publications postulated that missionary teachings were aligned to heavenly teachings, and this marked the beginning of the conversion of a portion of Korean Confucians to Christians. With time, Christian missionaries moved into Korea, and this is perhaps the essential phase that contributed to the profound development of Christian Protestants in Korea. As such, various reasons have been postulated for the proficient development of Christianity in Koreas. Undeniably, the homogeneity existent between the traditional cultural beliefs of the Koreans and those postulated by protestant affiliates contributed to the significant development of Christianity in Korea (Ch’oe, Lee, & Theodore, 118). Overall, the fact that the Koreans yearned for a more westernized religion at the expense of their Confucianism and Buddhism religion contributed to the profound development of Christianity. In addition, urbanization in Korea led to erosion of their cultural norms, which led to the adoption of a western religion, Protestantism. In fact, Protestantism was easily articulated into the political context of Korea, which also contributed to its intense development.
Development of Christianity in Japan
The development of Christianity in Japan is significantly attributed to the missionary presence in the years 1549-1639. However, when compared to Korea, missionary activities in Japan were not welcomed, and this was evident by the closure of oversea passages to Japan by the ruling authorities in order to block Catholic missionaries form getting into the country (Breen & Williams, 1). Arguably Christianity in Japan could not thrive as expected based on the fact that the Japanese have inborn hatred for foreign religions. Nevertheless, the fact that Christianity was more technologically aligned caused profound impacts in the cultural and political setting of Japan. For this reason, various population segments in Japan sought to identify with Christianity, which led to their conversion into Christianity.
Deductively, most of the Japanese who converted to Christianity did so for the sake of seeking identity, since Christianity was perceived to be an exclusive religion. Contrary to the experienced shift of religion by varied population, some natives remained adamant and did not succumb to the wave of change in religion. This resulted in the development of rivalry, particularly amongst the Buddhist clergy (Breen & Williams, 6). Later on, the Japanese who had since converted to Christianity developed a varied view of Christianity as a vital constituent for the expansion of their country, which changed their perception and hence advocated more for Christian teachings. Overall, adoption and the mutual development of Christianity in Japan were not because of passion for Christianity religion, but it rather occurred due to curiosity existent between the Japanese. Precisely, the Japanese considered Christianity to symbolize European, while a number of them accepted it for religiously aligned reasons.
Development of Christianity in China
Christianity development in China is greatly attributed to the regime of the Jesuit missionaries, who worked in China back in the year 1583. The Jesuits believed in the feasibility in application of Christian beliefs in China. The Jesuit missionaries sought to understand the philosophy behind Confucians. As such, the Jesuits began preaching Christian doctrines with integration Confucian concepts, which enticed the Chinese religious clergy to advocate for Christian beliefs (Mathew, 188). The Jesuits gained social recognition attributed to their beliefs, and this played a crucial role in their bid to spread Christian teachings in China.
Reasons for the probable successful spread of Christianity in Korea as compared to China and Japan
Deductively, spread of Christianity in Korea was more proficient than China and Japan. The most probable reasons for this include;
i. The perception of western culture by the Koreans
Arguably, the Koreans were more impressed by the western believes as compared to the Japanese and the Chinese. Precisely, most of the Christian beliefs were aligned to the traditional beliefs of the Korean (Ch’oe, Lee, & Theodore, 118). On the other hand, the Koreans developed a negative perception for their Confucianism and Buddhism religious believed and sought for renewal of their religious affiliations. In addition, after undergoing a period of war, Korea begun a new phase of development exhibited by profound urbanization, which led to the erosion of the historical tradition and the eventual adoption of beliefs aligned to Christianity.
ii. The political context of Korea
After gaining independence, Korea adopted a nationalism form of governance whereby foreign ideologies were integrated to facilitate the success of the nation in various realms (Lee, 119). As such, Korean nationalism integrated Christian Protestantism as part of its historical association. For this reason, Christianity developed successfully in the context of Korea.
iii. Chinese government measures against Christian Catholicism ;
Prior the year 1785, catholic publications could be distributed in China with no limitations imposed on such distributions. However, in a bid to strengthen and maintain a social order, China came up with initiatives to discourage distribution of catholic books. Undeniably, the measures were set in place to discourage the possible spread of Christianity at the institution level as well as theoretically (Kim, Yang-son, 92). For this reason, measure set by the Chinese government discouraged the spread of Christian notions resulting in lack of proficiency in the spread of Christianity in China.
Anti Christian movements set up in China also contributed to the slow spread of Christianity when compared with Korea. The arguments postulated against Christianity by the antichristian movements are inclusive of leading their people astray, as they perceive Jesus, whom Christians believe in was a criminal who was convicted by the authorities during his tenure on earth (Zurcher,191). As a result, various Christian in China were detained and restricted from spreading their teachings. To this purpose, Christianity did not flourish in China, based on the measures set against missionary activities.
Conclusion
Deductively, development of Christianity in Korea was successful than the development in Japan and China. Evidently, Christian missionaries landed in China prior their move to Korea. However, despite this, Chinese clergy developed negative perception against Christianity. However, the fact that Christianity was technologically aligned led to its emulation by part of the Chinese population. Christian practices were late on halted upon the instigation of measures against Christian ideologies. Consequently, this contributed to the slowed development of Christianity in China, on the other hand, Korea accepted Christianity due to its homogeneity with the Korean traditions (Chai-Shin Yu, 91). As such, integration of Christian ideologies was feasible, and this led to success in development of Christianity.
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