Interfaith Workshop Discusses Difficult Social Issues Facing Korean Society

Recently leaders from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined leaders of other faiths to discuss how religions can work together to solve difficult social issues facing Korean society. The workshop theme was “Finding One’s Way in Korea Under the Shadow of Growth".  

Korea’s economic growth has greatly benefited its society, but development has also brought difficult social challenges. “As religious leaders, we are very concerned about the high levels of conflict, depression, and suicide in Korea” said Hee-keun Oh, senior leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Korea. “Religions must individually and collectively work to find solutions.” 

What often makes social problems so difficult is the presence of systemic root causes. Solutions often require a great number of people to change their mindsets and behavior. Author Russell L. Ackoff described such problems as messes, "Every problem interacts with other problems and is therefore part of a set of interrelated problems, a system of problems.”^[1]

Because of progress, our modern world offers more choices and possibilities than ever before. Science and technology continually expand our knowledge. Our horizons seem to stretch thinner and faster than we are capable of handling. But in the end we remain the same spiritual creatures. Throughout our journeys the longing within endures.

Religions share a common insight; there is something incomplete about us. And so we yearn for fullness. If every question had a ready answer, there would be no reaching in prayer. If every pain had an easy cure, there would be no thirst for salvation. If every loss was restored, there would be no desire for heaven. As long as these needs remain, so will religion. It is a natural part of life. 

To be human means to experience uncertainty, sorrow, and death. Religion, however, is a school for making sense of chaos, a hospital for healing unseen wounds, and a lifeline that gives us second chances.

[1] Ackoff, Russell, "Systems, Messes, and Interactive Planning" Portions of Chapters I and 2 of Redesigning the Future. New York/London: Wiley, 1974.