Religious Literacy in Contemporary South Korea: Challenges and Educational Approaches
This study examines critical challenges associated with religious literacy in contemporary South Korea and educational approaches to address them. By analyzing data from the <i>Religious Literacy Survey 2023</i> (n = 2022), we reveal that these paradoxical attitudes stem from a declining...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/6/786 |
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| author | Jahyun Gu Juhwan Kim |
| author_facet | Jahyun Gu Juhwan Kim |
| author_sort | Jahyun Gu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study examines critical challenges associated with religious literacy in contemporary South Korea and educational approaches to address them. By analyzing data from the <i>Religious Literacy Survey 2023</i> (n = 2022), we reveal that these paradoxical attitudes stem from a declining religious literacy, manifested as limited knowledge of religious traditions and their teachings. Amid the rise in the number of the religiously unaffiliated, our analysis indicates that this trend reflects not a rejection of religion but rather an urgent need for education to enhance religious literacy. Based on this analysis, we examine religious education curricula at Dongguk and Yonsei Universities as exemplars that not only deepen students’ understanding of specific religious traditions but also help them recognize religion’s enduring relevance in addressing contemporary societal challenges. Building on these cases, while recognizing their limitations as religiously affiliated institutions, we emphasize the need for an integrated educational approach to religious literacy—one that extends beyond specific traditions and incorporates religious studies examining various dimensions of religion itself. We further suggest the broader implementation of religious literacy education across higher education institutions. Such educational approaches provide insights into fostering social cohesion and meaningful interreligious engagement in South Korea and beyond. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4e0f516de346450da60a97c884fe9c53 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj-art-4e0f516de346450da60a97c884fe9c532025-08-20T02:21:47ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442025-06-0116678610.3390/rel16060786Religious Literacy in Contemporary South Korea: Challenges and Educational ApproachesJahyun Gu0Juhwan Kim1Department of Humanity and Social Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of KoreaResearch Institute of the Comprehensive School-Safety, Dongguk University, Seoul 04620, Republic of KoreaThis study examines critical challenges associated with religious literacy in contemporary South Korea and educational approaches to address them. By analyzing data from the <i>Religious Literacy Survey 2023</i> (n = 2022), we reveal that these paradoxical attitudes stem from a declining religious literacy, manifested as limited knowledge of religious traditions and their teachings. Amid the rise in the number of the religiously unaffiliated, our analysis indicates that this trend reflects not a rejection of religion but rather an urgent need for education to enhance religious literacy. Based on this analysis, we examine religious education curricula at Dongguk and Yonsei Universities as exemplars that not only deepen students’ understanding of specific religious traditions but also help them recognize religion’s enduring relevance in addressing contemporary societal challenges. Building on these cases, while recognizing their limitations as religiously affiliated institutions, we emphasize the need for an integrated educational approach to religious literacy—one that extends beyond specific traditions and incorporates religious studies examining various dimensions of religion itself. We further suggest the broader implementation of religious literacy education across higher education institutions. Such educational approaches provide insights into fostering social cohesion and meaningful interreligious engagement in South Korea and beyond.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/6/786religious literacyreligious educationinterreligious engagementhigher educationSouth Korea |
| spellingShingle | Jahyun Gu Juhwan Kim Religious Literacy in Contemporary South Korea: Challenges and Educational Approaches Religions religious literacy religious education interreligious engagement higher education South Korea |
| title | Religious Literacy in Contemporary South Korea: Challenges and Educational Approaches |
| title_full | Religious Literacy in Contemporary South Korea: Challenges and Educational Approaches |
| title_fullStr | Religious Literacy in Contemporary South Korea: Challenges and Educational Approaches |
| title_full_unstemmed | Religious Literacy in Contemporary South Korea: Challenges and Educational Approaches |
| title_short | Religious Literacy in Contemporary South Korea: Challenges and Educational Approaches |
| title_sort | religious literacy in contemporary south korea challenges and educational approaches |
| topic | religious literacy religious education interreligious engagement higher education South Korea |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/6/786 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jahyungu religiousliteracyincontemporarysouthkoreachallengesandeducationalapproaches AT juhwankim religiousliteracyincontemporarysouthkoreachallengesandeducationalapproaches |