At the Last Supper, Jesus earnestly desired unity among his disciples. "That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us..." (John 17:21) Although Jesus desired unity among Christians, this has not been achieved.
Over the past thousand years, Christianity has been divided into various denominations due to conflict. However, in the 20th century, the ecumenical movement gained momentum. This is not a movement to merge all churches into a single denomination, but rather a movement for churches that believe in the same God and Jesus to overcome division and strive for unity.
Pope Leo XIV, in his first overseas pastoral visit after his inauguration last year, visited Iznik (formerly Nicaea) in Turkey, where the Council of Nicaea was held 1700 years ago. At that time, the church confessed its faith with one voice and laid the foundation for the doctrine of the Trinity. In his message of unity, the Pope urged that religion should not be confused with fanaticism.
But what is the state of religion in the world today? Religion is being used to justify war and violence. Intoxicated by capital and power, it is colluding with political power, abandoning its true role and identity. There is a real and a false side to religion. The leaders of cults that deviate from orthodox doctrine claim to be God or the Messiah. They distort and manipulate the belief in Jesus' resurrection, using various forms of deception, violence, and extortion to satisfy their own greed.
Cults use politics to expand their influence, and politicians use them to gain votes through collective action. Hiding behind the freedom of religion and the separation of church and state guaranteed by the Constitution, they engage in illegal and unethical practices, exchanging favors and showing bias towards each other. Since the nation's founding, religion and politics have not been separated, but have subtly influenced each other. While collusion between politics and mainstream religions has decreased significantly, collusion with cults is increasing.
On January 12th, President Lee Jae-myung mentioned the harmful effects of cults during a meeting with religious leaders. He stated, "This is a truly difficult topic, but we have neglected the harm they inflict on our society for too long, resulting in significant damage." Religious leaders agreed, saying, "Practices that cause great harm to the lives of citizens must be dealt with strictly."
The ultimate goal of both politics and religion is to realize the common good of society. No religious group or individual, whether from a mainstream religion or a cult, can justify illegal activities in the name of religion. Illegal election interference or lobbying by religious groups and politicians must be thoroughly investigated and punished according to legal procedures.
The harmful effects of cults and heresies cannot be eradicated solely by the president's will. It is only possible when mainstream religions set an example of the separation of church and state and faithfully fulfill their original purpose of resolving social conflicts and achieving justice. To achieve this, divided Christians must overcome prejudice and strengthen solidarity and cooperation to achieve the church's unity.
Furthermore, through active exchange with neighboring religions, we must further broaden the space for mutual understanding and pursue a path of coexistence and shared prosperity that enhances national interests and national prestige.
During the martial law and impeachment crisis, we were appalled by the political propaganda and incitement of some corrupt religious groups that fueled hatred and animosity. Now, mainstream religions that pursue "true faith" must break down the walls between them and join forces with the government to prevent the harm caused by pseudo-religions that unduly interfere in politics. When what is normal functions normally, the fake cannot take root.
