Religion as a Moving Target: Keynote Address for "International Conference on Korean Religions in Inter-Cultural and Global Contexts"

摘要: Religion is a moving target in the sense that it difficult to pinpoint exactly what and does; hence numerous definitional problems. It also elements constitute religion are not stable, subject kaleidoscopic changes. Conventional labels such as shamanism, Buddhism Confucianism tend distract our attention from these changes instabilities. They become associated with certain standard concepts, which may have little do actual practice of their believers or equally present conceptual world adherents other religions. Over years cover different realities distinctions between them so vague becomes classify phenomena under one rubrics. Korea’s religious history shows, for instance, so-called “Confucian values” were propagated by Buddhist songs, core values, virtues filial piety loyalty throne, middle nineteenth century had ceased be “Confucian” any meaningful way, having generally accepted people whatever conviction. In practice, constant process reassembling reconstituting takes place, means too much value should assigned origin authenticity phenomena, notion syncretism useless distinguishing characteristic.