I’m not sure if the theology behind this works (I’ll defer to the Big Ho for erudition), but anyway, newly elected GNP chairwoman Park Keun-hye is seeking forgiveness for her party’s sins, and to get that repentance, she will make a tour of Seoul’s houses of worship. She will first stop by Myeongdong Cathedral and make confession (Father Kim will probably want to mark this down in his schedule), then move on to Jogye-sa Temple and perform 3,000 bows before the Buddha. After that, she will attend a penitence service at a Presbyterian church.
No word on whether she’ll visit the Itaeweon Mosque or the synagogue at Yongsan garrison.
5 Comments
Beats me how the theology works, but it’s great PR for those whom Carlin calls “the symbol-minded.”
Kevin
empty gestures will not get one forgiveness. Visiting worships of every religion shows a serisous lack of sincerity and should be obvious to all that it is an empty gesture.
I sincerely pray this political “move” fails.
Are these comments manifestations of “Damned if she does. Damned if she doesn’t.” mind set of her opposition? Appears so to me.
It also looks like what the Democrats are trying on Bush, but it isn’t working.
If Ms. Park is seriously disrespecting these religions is one thing, but if she’s sincerely performing penetential rites, that is for the congregations to weigh. Agnostics, atheists, and religion haters only make themselves look petty and small with the above criticisms.
For the seriously religious and uncynical:
Matthew 6:1-2:
Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others.
I’m not a scriptural literalist, but I agree that public displays of piety are little more than vanity.
My position is as it was: Carlin is cool.
Kevin
She should really stop by my new church — the The First Love Motel of God — where I would be happy to give her all the loving that she especially needs, plus a receipt for tax purposes for any donations.
P.S. A good reputation is worth more than gold, since it can not be bought.