Difficulty in Being an Evangelist for Happiness

On the  Catholic Times opinion page this week, a columnist refers to the words of a song, "I am not laughing, no, not laughing," which reminded her of the recent suicide of the author and TV celebrity, the "Happiness Evangelist," well-known for her books and lectures on how to achieve happiness, and for hosting a popular TV program on the same theme.

After her suicide, the first response of many of her fans was stunned disbelief and then confusion.  How could someone who seemed so cheerful and had so much energy kill herself?  "Where in this world can we find happiness if this is the result of a life dedicated to finding happiness ?" was the typical response of many. This was the pessimistic response that came pouring out from many quarters. Some said, "if  the  evangelist for happiness killed herself why not me?" Who has an answer to this extreme opinion? Faith is the answer of the columnist.

This evangelist for happiness often mentioned in her talks that the word suicide in Korean when taking the two syllables in order means to kill the self, but when inverted it  means 'let's live.' She often remarked on this double meaning. Whether you are unattractive, poor or uneducated, that is no sin. There is only one sin, she would say, repeating it often, and that is not to live fully; she stressed the importance of the will in achieving this fulfilled life.

There are many people who are smiling on the outside but crying on the inside. The writer calls this masked depression. The evangelist for happiness was not afflicted with depression but had many physical complaints and was being treated by doctors, but the pain was so great that she had difficulty living the life she preached.
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The columnist refers to a questionnaire in which 70 percent of workers from 20 to 30 years of age  said they have felt masked depression. That most people feel mildly depressed (getting the blues) at times in their life is no surprise; how indicative this is of  depression is not known, but not being able to live fully is certainly a problem for many A familiar quote from St. Irenaeus notes that "The Glory of God is man fully alive." It's our calling as Christians.

She concludes by asking, is it necessary to be a Christian and know the gospel to find happiness?  No, she says, it is not necessary because happiness is an emotion. This emotion, however,  is of no help when sickness, loneliness, old age and death come into our lives. It's here that our faith life presents us with  the necessary answers. Faith fills the emptiness in our lives.

Usually in life when you select something you say no to something else. However, when  you say yes to faith you are also saying yes to life.

Catholic Church of Korea's Understanding of Beauty

The Korean Catholic Church has been concerned in recent years about the way it has dealt with the art in its possession. The Church has not shown the interest that the art specialist would like to see. Dr. Hong Gemma, in her doctoral thesis, "The Church's Progress in Sacred Art," has some revealing things to say on the subject; a  review of the thesis appeared in the recent Peace Weekly.

Over the past two thousand years, the Church has inherited a great patrimony and should  continue to contribute to the religious, cultural, and artistic desires of our modern age. However, in Korea, according to Doctor Hong, the record of the Catholic Church's sensitivity toward art and artists has not been good.

Our understanding of art has been limited, she says, to using it to decorate our churches, to help us in the liturgy and to pray; it remains only a material tool to be used when needed by the Church, and does not express the values of the Church. This passive notion of art can be seen when we look at the interiors of our churches and see a monotonous display of  repetitious art, much of it imported from the West as a result of the foreign missionaries working in Korea.

Surveys have revealed that Catholic preference in art follows traditional lines; abstract and non-conceptual  expressions are not readily accepted. There is a need now, Dr. Hong believes, to discover and use the works of new artists, as well as doing away with the distinction between  sacred and secular art. The notion of inculturation in art should not mean going back into history but finding out where we are now with our  Korean sensitivities toward the beautiful, and not copy from the West or be limited by the past.

We have built many churches in recent years, but it is not easy to find anything  that is representative of Korea in architecture or in sacred art.  Money is not allotted for the artistic aspects of our buildings;  plans are not carefully thought out  and lack sufficient consultation.  Dependence on donations from Catholics results in a smorgasbord of styles and a lack of  artistic harmony within the churches. She suspects that most Christians are not interested in sacred art which means less money for the upkeep and preservation of art within the Church.

But some of the blame, she feels, must go to the priests and parishioners who do not appreciate the place of art in the liturgy. When a new priest comes to a parish, and the art within the church does not meet his approval  the art is removed, defaced or is ignored, causing discontent with the artists. If this situation is to change, she sees the need to educate priests in art appreciation, for in Korea all depends on the priest: the planning, the building and the selection of the works of art come under his authority. Because priests have this very important decision-making power, she recommends that learning the skills of artistic appreciation begin early in their education, for it is not something that comes automatically.

What Do We Mean By 'Well-Being'?

 The word 'well-being' comes into our conversation regularly said the  writer in  the weekly Catholic Times Desk Column. Since  the end of 2003,  Koreans apply the  word  to  apartments, food stuffs, cafes, and the like.  It means happiness, peace, living well. More than honors and the successful accumulation of material goods, the word was used to describe bodily and mental health, which means, for some, leaving the busy life and instant foods for an environmentally friendly world that conduces to a fruitful and beautiful new way of living. 

Recently, the columnist says, the well-being concept is increasingly being criticized, not so much for its attempt to change the quality of life but for its interest only in the material and what money will buy. It is those with the  leisure of  money who can  enjoy well-being--more accurately, perhaps, well-having. He mentions the book written by the German Philosopher Erich Fromm To Have or To Be. When the lifestyle focuses only on the 'to have' it just increases one's greed.
 
We have to ask ourselves, what is true well-being?   Is it to have more than others, to eat well, to have the goods one wants? The writer thinks it is to have a healthy inner life. There are many who have a strong body but the spirit is not healthy. And just taking care of the body does not necessarily mean your inner life will be healthy.
 
The well-being comes with a well balanced life. This would also be true in the spiritual life: word and prayer, evangelizing, service, love,  friendship, etc..  When there is a balance we have health. In the Beatitudes, we start with poverty of spirit.   The search for health and leisure that comes with material goods is not bad, but it should be preceded by a care for the health of the spirit if we are to have happiness.   Christians do have a different set of priorities that precede the quality of life that many consider important. Well-being for a Christian has to include God and our relation to him.
 
Another article mentioned a cartoon in which a member of the well-being advocates was doing everything necessary to achieve this so-called well-being.  After getting up in the  morning, he would do his yoga exercises. He ate organic vegetables and had a healthy breakfast, listened to classical music and went  off to work. During the day in the office, when time allowed, he would do his yoga. He would, obviously not smoke and not have more than a glass of beer or wine when offered and was socially expected.                                                                             
 
On his way home from the office, he almost had an accident with a motorcycle. He shouted at the cyclist with every foul word that he could bring to mind. The well-being lifestyle that he was hoping to achieve by focusing solely on the external aids to well-being and neglecting the inner life is always going to be a problem, unless we strive for a more balanced approach to life--including the spiritual as well as the material. Not an easy task. With the problems and stress that come with living in this competitive environment, the dream of well-being may not be easily achieved.

Rose by any other Name? Words Are Important

Professor at Sogang University begins his article in the Peace Weekly reminding  us how important it is in society to use correct names and   terminology. We are dealing often  with  identity of an existence.

While studying in Germany, he recalls introducing  a girl who joined  the same language class as Ann, and she was quick to correct him telling him it was Anne and not Ann,  somewhat upset at the mistake.  He  mentions when students in his class mistake a syllable in his first name, to something very similar but not his name, he realizes it is of no great moment, but he  doesn't like it.

Terminology that is  not used correctly  not only leaves a bad feeling,  are mistaken, and can also be used for evil purposes.  

From here he jumps  to the Bioethics And Safety Act, the Government regulations that have to do with bioethical issues in Korea. He spends some time mentioning that using the term 'cluster of cells' instead of the proper terms are   not of little importance.  Not using the proper terms  for the fetus  after the    sperm fertilizes   the egg, and before it becomes a fetus and  calling it  a 'cluster of cells '  is done deliberately.

The reason for doing this after reading the regulations he says is because they want to use the fetus for experimental purposes. The writer feels that the way the regulations are written it is not to  respect life or seeing the value of  life, and preventing harm to the fetus,but enabling  the  study of the fetus for  the engineering of life for the market. It is another way of making money in the market with the sacrifice of life.

We have come to a point where we do things for reasons of financial  utility. We are always ready to improve our market possiblities. If we have a possiblity to do well in the market then we are willing to sacrifice the moral element. And this engineering of life is no exception.

He feels that we are traveling like the Titianic in the direction of an iceberg. We as a society should, first of all, respect life;  use  the proper  words in describing  the process of birth   from conception on.  If  we do not we will be using life as a means to an end.

This whole area of bioethics is not a subject  easily understood. Fortunately, in recent years we have been hearing of adult stem cell research that has little ethical problems associated with it. The Catholic Church here in Korea actively supports adult stem cell research and  is involved with their study. However, when it  is embryonic stem cell research  this is unacceptable even when the intention is a good one. In Korea they count the time in the womb as the  age at birth, which means everyone is one year old from birth. It is a reminder of the dignity of life right from the time of conception.  Foolishness for many  but the wisdom of Korean  culture should  make us reflect on a truth  not so difficult to see.

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Good News of Adoptions by Koreans

The adoption policy in past years was embarrassing to many Koreans.  In the 1970s and 80s, Korea was the number one exporter of orphans. On the opinion page of the Catholic Times, a seminary priest- professor reveals that in 2007  Korea had more internal adoptions than foreign adoptions, which helped remove the stigma of their adoption policy of past years.

Korea still has, the priest says, many children who are being adopted by foreigners, especially handicapped children; a fact he would like to see changed. Furthermore, many who  adopt in Korea are childless couples that want to continue their family line and often do not want this known. In order to assure that the adoption remains hidden from public notice, some even drop all contact with the organization that enabled the adoption. The adoption agency considers this a serious problem. There can be occasions when the adopted child is not in a loving home and not treated well but being used. Oversight by the adoption agency then becomes impossible.

The writer explains that the adoption is not welfare work that gives foster parents a child. Adoption is giving a child who doesn't have its natural parents a substitute home that will take care of the child's subsistence, be protective of the child, take care of emotional and material needs; the child becomes what is important. It is not to fill the needs of the adopting parents but the needs of the child.

The priest goes on to thank those who have adopted Koreans who have a different skin color, and all the more thankful to those who have adopted the disadvantaged in body or  mind. However, he feels that, all else being equal, they would have an advantage being adopted by Koreans and especially by loving congenial  families with growing children, which would help the adopted child to adapt more easily to the new environment.

There are many conditions that are required before considering adoption, such as the economic condition of the adopting family. But even more important would be their mental and spiritual preparation--those who know the value of life and want nothing in return for their love, regarding it as a mission and sacrifice. Adopting is not an easy task and the priest mentions with pride that Christians who have adopted both Protestants and Catholics number about 40 percent.

He finishes the article by proposing to those who are sorry for having an  abortion that it might be a good thing to adopt a child. Society as it gets more tied up with the material, and as sexual mores become  more permissive, will probably lead to more unmarried mothers giving birth, more abortions, more children discarded because of money problems. The need for more adoptions will surely follow.

Difficulties of Unmarried Mothers In Korean Society

Catholic Committee on Life met last month to discuss how the Church can help unmarried mothers create a better environment for their children. A member of the Korean Women's Policy Research Institute said: "Korean unmarried women with children is a lifestyle that does not follow our socially accepted ideas and moral standards; from the time  they are pregnant, give birth and choose to raise their children, they have to face the disapproval of society. Because of this disapproval many are induced to abort the child or give it up for adoption."

Statistics from the institute reveal that in 1995 there were about 90,000 households with unmarried mothers; in 2000 it increased to over 120,000, and in 2005 it was over 130,000. Of those staying in homes for unmarried mothers, about 42 percent opt to give the child up for adoption and about 58 percent chose to raise the child. The reasons for choosing adoption vary.

About 34 percent chose adoption because of financial difficulties; 30 percent because of concern for the future of the child; 10 percent because they thought they were too young to be a mother. Those who chose to raise the child most  said they wanted to raise the child simply because it was their child, others love for the child;  others thought giving the child up for adoption would have been sinful.

In 2010 there will be over a million and half single family households and only about 10 percent will receive government aid. The single-mother family has three times more trouble than the married-mother family. The representative from the institute argues persuasively that all the children should be seen as the responsibility of society  and be given the necessary support.

Two Religious Sisters working with  unmarried mothers mentioned that since about 60 percent of the abortions are unmarried mothers, the movement for life has to consider this when working with young people.  Furthermore, educating  the young to have safe sex is to ignore the moral issues that are involved.  Even though these issues are becoming less relevant to many today, education that stresses the value of purity and chastity still is important.

Another sister responsible for a home for runaways says the connection between unmarried mothers and those who have run away from home is very close, which is another good reason for averting the break up of the family and for educating for a healthy family life. A worthwhile goal that will require more effort on the part of the Church if it is to be accomplished.

Evangelization by Means of Culture

Cultural evangelization was the lead article in this week's Peace Weekly.  The development of the whole person has been a concern of many parishes in recent years.  The  dictionary meaning of culture is: the act of developing the intellectual and moral faculties, especially by education. The article would like to see the Church take more interest in helping their members develop these cultural pursuits in order to bring about better communication with the larger community outside the Church.

The Church in the past gave witness to the Gospel by focusing its interest in medicine, education, welfare, and  human rights; now it's time to give witness to the Gospel by focusing more on culture. Recent efforts to do this have proven successful. 

Programs in many parishes are varied and mostly  free. One parish in Seoul has talks on playing the organ, flower arranging, learning Chinese Characters, calligraphy, sign language, acupuncture, photography, and the tea ceremony, among others.  Another parish has talks on philosophy, art, and the raising of children; ordinarily, these programs are a  big financial  burden for the individuals, but they are being offered to all completely free.

There are parishes with musical concerts weekly. One parish presented a musical that was attended by over 700-- all were welcomed. There are public concerts with very high standards, presenting the best in the musical field both from inside and outside the country. The ticket prices are much less than you would pay in a concert hall.

Many parish libraries are also open to all, with movie DVDs and free lending service. Some parishes have small art galaries and small theaters where plays and musicals are presented continually.

These are some of the ways the Catholic community is attempting to communicate with the larger community outside the Church. Many  without any religion come easily to these  events, opening a door for them should they be interested in the Church. It has also proven helpful in getting those who have fallen away from the Church to return. It is a method of evangelization that will be used more often now that the interest in the Church is less than in the past. The efforts of  Church workers were not as necessary since people then were coming to the Church on their own initiative. This is much less the case today.


The  wealthier and larger parishes in the city are doing well with this kind of evangelization;  smaller, poorer parishes are not as open to this type of evangelization.  It requires a long term commitment of people and resources which some of the smaller parishes have difficulty accepting.

The Church has always been interested in whatever makes for a more fulfilled life, and music--traditionally a pursuit which has served to provide this fulfillment for many--has been an important part of Catholic life.  Our churches have been veritable art museums for the world, and education has been close to the heart of Catholicism. This interest in the culture is a simple outgrowth of the sacramental way of  looking at life. Since direct evangelization has not been as successful as in the past, the efforts at the indirect will likely be more common in the future.