‘1.1 Million South Korean Christians Seek Revival’ After Gay Rights Court Ruling
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
SEOUL (Worthy News) – Organizers of one of South Korea’s largest Christian gatherings in history hope the country’s leaders will “not harm traditional families and restrict the freedoms of churches to live out their faith.”
At least hundreds of thousands of Christians were estimated by authorities to have participated in Sunday’s outdoor service in Seoul, the capital, after a July landmark court decision about same-sex couples’ health rights.
Organizers said that up to 1.1 million people took part in the prayer and worship rally to express concern over a Supreme Court ruling that a same-sex partner was eligible for spousal benefits from the National Health Insurance Service.
The court confirmed a decision by the Seoul High Court early last year that the National Health Insurance Service should provide equal spousal coverage to So Sung-wook and Kim Yong-min – a gay couple who filed a suit in 2021 against the agency after it canceled their spousal benefits.
The ruling was hailed as a victory by LGBTQ+ rights activists who say the Asian nation “has lagged” others in the region.
However, several Korean Christian leaders fear it will pave the way to gay marriage and ultimately open the country up to “trans ideology” that would “harm families and restrict the freedoms of churches to live out their faith.”
They point to Western countries, including in Europe and North America, where they believe families, including children, are harmed by the LGTBQ+ ideology.
OUTSPOKEN NATION
Hungary is the most outspoken European Union country in banning LGBTQ+ education and “propaganda” to minors, despite the EU withholding billions of euros in aid over the issue.
On Sunday, several prominent members of the Christian community spoke out against same-sex marriage.
Kim Jeong-hee, a spokesperson for the organizing committee, said the court verdict was unconstitutional because same-sex marriage has not been legalized.
“I think that would only be the starting point for same-sex marriage legalization policy,” Kim said. “We see this not simply as a Christian issue but as a huge crisis that shakes our country’s foundation.”
The court argued that with no clauses in the National Health Insurance Act that refer to same-sex unions, denial of benefits to such people constitutes discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Some participants held signs saying, “Oppose the anti-discrimination law” and “Protect our children from gender pollution, gender confusion, and gender division destruction.”
However, opponents such as “Christian women’s rights workers” decried the rally and its prayer suggestions, countering with their own 100 prayer suggestions distributed online.
ALTERNATIVE PRAYERS
Five hundred eighty-eight individuals and 71 groups gathered online signatures for the “100 Prayer Suggestions for Equal World” on October 7-8, which included “prayers for worship to God without discrimination or exclusion.”
It was a far cry from the crowds seen in Seoul on Sunday.
Reverend Kim Yang-jae, chairman of the board at Christian medication group QTM, said, “Women’s rights are important, but it’s not just the women’s rights that are important. God wants a union between a man and a woman for a healthy family.”
The rally was broadcast online and was watched by what the organizers claimed were over 1 million more people at home.
Organizers say they want South Korea, known for its mega-churches, to “unite for repentance, revival, and restoration of holiness in our society.”
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