Christians protest against same-sex marriage, anti-discrimination bills

Oct 28, 2024, 10:21 am

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South Korea’s Christian groups held a massive worship service in Seoul on Sunday to protest against same-sex marriage and anti-discrimination bills, which were pushed by the main opposition Democratic Party and the Justice Party. / Photographed by Park Sung-il (rnopark99@)

AsiaToday reporter Hwang Eui-joong

Hundreds of thousands of members of South Korea’s Christian groups gathered on the streets in Seoul on Sunday to protest against same-sex marriage and anti-discrimination bills.

The committee of 2 million Korean churches held a massive worship service and a big prayer meeting on the streets from Gwanghwamun to Seoul Station and roads near Yeouido Park under the theme entitled, “Healthy Family, Holy Country.”

The supreme court in July upheld a high court ruling that a same-sex partner was eligible for spousal benefits from the National Health Insurance Service, a move that led to a sense of crisis among South Korean Christian groups that the institutionalization of same-sex marriage was imminent.

The joint worship service was attended by the majority of South Korean churches and 120 civic groups belonging to the Korean Federation of Churches and the Korean Presbyterian Church. A total of 2.1 million people took part in the service, including 1.1 million estimated by the organizer and 1 million online participants.

The joint service was held with special stages at Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall and screens installed in each section. What was different from other events was that worship was the focus of the event. Protestors focused on prayers and worship during the event that lasted for three hours. Preachers included Pastor Park Han-soo, chair professor Gil Won-pyeong of Handong University, and President Hailey Ducksen of Bonn Seminary in Germany. Pastor Bang Young-jin’s family with seven children delivered a speech to explain that marriage and childbirth are blessings, while Professor Jeon Eu-seong of Asan Medical Center in Seoul stressed that risk of homosexuality and AIDS infection and warned that passing the anti-discrimination bill would make it difficult to announce objective medical facts.

Renowned pastors, including Lee Chul, chairman of the Korean Methodist Church, and Kim Jong-hyuk, chairman of the General Assembly, came to the podium to announce the declaration, enacting a comprehensive anti-discrimination bill and preventing homosexuality education.

#Christians #same-sex marriage #anti-discrimination bill