"The moment prayer becomes lobbying, offerings become fuel for politics, and faith communities are reduced to vote warehouses, the Kingdom of God collapses."
Rev. Ryu Young-mo, pastor emeritus of Hansomang Church, made these remarks at the 5th "Starting with Me Forum" held at Mayfield Hotel in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, on the 10th. "We must break the vicious cycle of church-state collusion and reopen the path where both the church and society can thrive," he said.
Rev. Ryu, who served as the representative president of the United Christian Churches of Korea, currently leads the Starting with Me Forum. At the forum, he pointed out that "the trading of bloc votes and political protection involving cult groups such as the Unification Church and Shincheonji, along with suspicions of illicit political funds and lobbying, clearly demonstrated how easily the relationship between politics and religion can become corrupt."
He also emphasized, "The moment the church becomes a subcontractor of power, prophecy turns to silence. The mature spirit of separation of church and state means participating without being captured and cooperating without being subjugated."
Rev. Ryu clarified that separation of church and state does not mean forcing silence upon the church. "Separation of church and state is a mechanism that maintains a healthy distance between the state and religion, allowing religion to stand firmly in a position of conscience and truth without being swayed by power," he said. "The church's social participation and public statements should be respected."
He expressed opposition to the so-called "Church-State Collusion Prevention Bill" introduced in the National Assembly. "There are concerns that some of the legislation and systems currently under discussion could excessively undermine the freedom of speech, expression, and association of religion," Rev. Ryu noted. "The justification of preventing cults must not become a sword that harms the freedom of religion in general."
Finally, Rev. Ryu stressed, "We must break the stubborn chains that have made religion a tool of power and power an idol of faith. Only then can the church become church-like again."
Ahead of the June 3 local elections, the Starting with Me Forum also adopted a declaration calling to "end the malpractice of church-state collusion and fulfill the public responsibility of faith." Participants pledged, "We will firmly reject all unjust collusion in elections and fulfill our responsibility as voters for the public good and justice in the name of faith."
