Union of Catholic Asian News reports that “the city council handed over responsibility for it to the Christian Council of Korea (CCK), an umbrella organization of conservative Protestant Churches, in 2002,” and that “[s]ince then, the group has replaced the traditional star atop the tree, which is usually put up on Dec. 10, with a cross”— Christmas tree cross raises fears of sectarian tensions.
“This year, however, with growing concern over perceived Protestant influence on government,” according to the report, “there are concerns that the cross, if put up again, could create unhappiness among other sectors of society.” “Buddhists, in particular, have felt themselves under religious attack by Protestants, who in Korea tend to be aggressive proselytizers.”
However, “Park Jong-chan, coordinator of the Committee of Religion and Peace of Jogye Order, the largest Buddhist denomination in Korea, said that Buddhists do not oppose the cross.” He said, “Freedom of religion also includes freedom to propagate religion.”
Peter Lee Young-sik, media team head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, said, “As far as Catholics are concerned, we cannot say if Protestants’ putting the cross on the tree is wrong or right.” He continued, “Traditionally, the Christmas tree is decorated with a star, not a cross. Korean Protestant Churches may arouse public antipathy by highlighting the cross too much.”
The public Christmas trees and lights as well as the lanterns for Buddha’s Birthday are one of the pleasant aspects of living here in Korea. Koreans should be proud that, in their multi-religious society, such things are not a bone of contention, as they are in the United States. It would be a shame if one group were to upset the apple cart of religious tolerance.
23/11/2009 at 1:39 pm Permalink
How about opposing it for being . . .well . . .unattractive? I don’t mean to call the cross itself ugly – but heavens to Betsy, that’s an ugly job of tree decoration. It certainly doesn’t inspire very Christian thoughts in my head (unless Jesus is thinking: “Take down that vulgar thing!”) I don’t particularly mind Christmas and light displays, even on public grounds, so long as they take place in the secular “conifers and sparklies are pretty, tee hee!” spirit. I especially don’t mind if the funding is coming from someplace other than my pocket *^^* But this cross bit is a bit much, a bit inappropriate, and more than a bit unappealing to the eye.
As was pointed out in the article, stars, not crosses, are the traditional tree topper (although I’ve also seen angels), and would not only take away from the heavy handed religiosity of the display (AT CITY HALL! lest we forget and think that this has nothing to do with endorsement) but also, frankly, look a lot nicer.
25/11/2009 at 11:14 am Permalink
The cross atop the Christmas tree is a depressing symbol of suffering and death, hardly in the spirit of Christmas. Either the traditional star or angel is beautiful and has symbolic value.