Does Transnational Experience Constrain Religiosity? Korean Evangelical Women’s Discourse on LGBT Persons
Journal Title: Religions - Year 2016, Vol 7, Issue 9
Abstract
A large literature studies the views and discourses of Western, and especially American, conservative Christians with respect to homosexuality; only a few examine the discourse of Christians in non-Western countries, and none focuses on non-Western Christians with advanced, overseas education and careers. This paper examines the discourse of South Korean Evangelical women with overseas, educational or career experiences. I draw on 15 in-depth interviews with current and former members of a Seoul-based, Evangelical mega-church. Transnational, evangelical women show comparatively mild-minded and tolerant views toward homosexuality and LGBT persons. The women illustrated two pathways to reconcile their conflicting beliefs in conservative religion and human rights: first, the values of equity and meritocracy; and second, personal contacts with LGBT persons. This study suggests that for transnational migrants, traditional religiosity is challenged and constrained by sustained experiences in liberal, pluralistic societies.
Authors and Affiliations
Gowoon Jung
Keywords
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- EP ID EP25617
- DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/rel7100124
- Views 329
- Downloads 5
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