A Role of Religionists and Religious Newspapers for the Harmonious Society of Korea

종교인과 종교언론의 사회 통합적 역할 -종교신문을 중심으로

Korean religionist have actively participated in the movements of national security and peace, human rights and dignity, freedom and equal rights, and other social issues. Recently, either progressive or conservative religionists have strongly shown their different approaches in solving social issues, i.e., national security and peace in connection of 'national security law.' A few religious leaders' public views have been misused by some politicians. It is important for both the religionists and journalists in religious newspapers how to bring a harmonious resolution among the people who are either in conservatism or in progressivism. Social participation of religionists is both to respond to the timely situation of civil society and to realize freedom, equality, and peace to the society. Although the principle of the separation of religion and state was established to secure both the right of politics and the freedom of beliefs, political groups have either utilized or suppressed religions. Some politicians have also wrongly applied separation of religion and state by excluding religious aspects in public schools. Religionists and journalists of the religious newspapers should not provide one-sided prejudice but to provide objective information and its righteous analysis to guide people in the right direction to solve social problems. Also, religious newspapers should open a field of discussion how to resolve some issues between the 'national security law' and freedom.