Controversy Over Growing Anti-Christian Sentiment Following Mass COVID-19 Infections at Sarang Jeil Church

COVID-19 Cases from Sarang Jeil Church Exceed 400
Some Citizens Criticize, Saying "Christianity Is Disgusting"
Experts Say "When Uncertainty Is High, People Tend to Blame Groups Rather Than Individuals"

On the afternoon of the 15th, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church is speaking at a rally condemning the government and the ruling party held in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] "Christianity is really disgusting." , "Please follow the COVID-19 prevention guidelines."

Following the mass outbreak of confirmed COVID-19 cases originating from Sarang Jeil Church located in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, premature criticism against the Christian community is also emerging.

The problem is that the criticism is escalating into religious hatred. Experts analyze that this phenomenon occurs because criticizing groups rather than individuals is more effective when assigning responsibility.

Since the conservative group rally held in Gwanghwamun, Seoul on the 15th, confirmed cases among Sarang Jeil Church members who attended the event have continued to emerge.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that the nationwide cumulative confirmed cases related to Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu have now increased to 438. After one church member was first confirmed positive on the 12th, 314 more cases were confirmed by the 16th, and an additional 123 cases on the 17th.

In response, health authorities have repeatedly requested all rally attendees to undergo COVID-19 testing. However, some church members are reportedly refusing testing requests and cutting off contact, showing non-cooperation with the health authorities.

Amid the growing impact of the COVID-19 cluster infection that occurred at Sarang Jeil Church, posts criticizing Christianity and expressing hatred have continuously appeared on portal sites and online communities. Photo by Twitter and portal sites capture

As news spread that some church members are not cooperating with health authorities, citizens unleashed harsh criticism toward Sarang Jeil Church and Christianity in general.

Choi, a 24-year-old university student, said, "Christianity is really disgusting. What on earth is going on? I know you shouldn’t generalize, but honestly, I’ve never met a normal Christian in my life." He added, "They always force people to come to church and make a fuss; who would like that? The government emphasized not to hold rallies this time, but they gathered in crowds anyway. It seems like none of them are sane."

Posts criticizing Christianity and expressing hatred continue to flood portal sites and online communities.

Twitter user A said, "Christianity in South Korea is really disgusting. There’s a saying that COVID-19 reveals the darkness of society, and Korea’s disease is not Christian cults but Christianity itself," criticizing the religion.

On the other hand, some argue that blaming Christianity as a whole is not right.

Nam, a 25-year-old office worker, said, "I know many churches are following the government’s prevention guidelines well and holding online services. Of course, refusing testing requests is wrong. But it’s not right to criticize the entire religion of Christianity based on the wrongdoings of some."

Nam added, "There are already many negative views toward Christianity, so when incidents like this happen, it becomes an easy target for criticism and hatred. Some are at fault, but I don’t understand why the whole community has to bear the blame."

On the afternoon of the 15th, in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul, a rally organized by some conservative groups condemning corruption in the Moon Jae-in administration, abuse of power by Choo Mi-ae, and sexual harassment by Democratic Party local government heads took place, leading to partial control of the Gwanghwamun area. Although most of the rallies were restricted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government's ban order, the court's suspension of enforcement decision the day before allowed the events to be held in two locations: in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu and at Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station in Jung-gu, attracting crowds.
Photo by Yonhap News

Amid growing criticism toward Sarang Jeil Church and the Christian community, the National Council of Churches in Korea issued an apology on the 17th. The council stated, "We deeply acknowledge with a heavy heart that churches are at the center of the COVID-19 resurgence and offer our apologies to all members of society."

They continued, "Korean churches have failed to fulfill their responsibility for prevention and have shown collective self-centeredness. This stems from the ignorance, arrogance, and desires of Korean church leaders who have not fully understood God's will for the times and the church." They added, "The extreme political actions of Jeon Gwang-hoon, who continuously spouts sophistry, should be judged by the law."

They further stated, "The Korean church must stop making excuses that the spread of COVID-19 is due to a few individuals and recognize the current situation as a responsibility shared by all of us." They reiterated their apology, saying, "We will do our best to protect life and safety and to restore the essence of the church and social trust."

Experts analyzed that when uncertainty is high, such as during an epidemic, there is a tendency to shift responsibility to the entire group rather than individuals.

Professor Kwak Geum-ju of Seoul National University’s Department of Psychology explained, "In cases like COVID-19, which is an uncontrollable and highly uncertain situation, blaming the entire group to which individuals belong results in greater displacement of responsibility. When assigning responsibility, blaming the whole group increases the transfer of blame."

Professor Kwak added, "Especially when negative aspects are strong, there is an instinct to create and distinguish an 'other' group to avoid anxiety." She explained, "Blaming the entire Christian community for the problems of one church or one member is a 'generalization fallacy,' but through this, people create an 'other' group and criticize the opposing group to gain a sense of relief. They separate themselves from others by saying 'I am different from them,' and in the process of separation, they gain feelings of superiority or relief."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.