Cheondoism Essay

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Raven Sampson April 25, 2013 Religion: Cheondoism Cheondoism, also known as chondoism, was a Korean religious movement that occured in the 20th century. It is based on the 19th century Donghak movement founded by Choe Jeu, during a peasant rebellion that arose in 1812. Cheondoism has its roots from the religions Korean Shamanism, and Korean Buddhism, and some aspects of Christianity. It was popular in both North and South Korea. In North Korea it is believed to be followed by atleast 12% of the total population. Choendoists believe in the god Haneullium resides in everybody. The goal is to change our earthly society into a paradise on earth. Cheondoists also believe in transforming believers into intellegent moral beings with high social consciousness. Most people would view this as a humanistic and/or socialist religion. Cheondoism branches off from the word Cheondogyo, meaning "religion of the heavenly way." The Korean god ”Haneullim" meaning "Lord of Heaven" was stemmed by ancient Korean Shamanic beliefs, later adopted by Donghak. Donghak believed that man is not created by a supernatural god, but by an innate god. The god has been a god believed in from ancient times from ancient times, and so therefore Donghak was seen as a true Korean religion unlike Buddhism, or Christianity. From Christianity, they gained the idea of creating a paradise on earth, the idea of democracy, and human rights idea's. Donghak, impimented these ideas. Cheondoists took this and although they were unsure what paradise meant, understood it would mean equal rights to all people. With the advocacy of democracy, and human rights, it brought a lot of nationalism. When writing their religious songs, it was a mix, of elements from the relgions of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Songyo added with their own modern ideas. They also believed in Exclusionism which was a result of nationalism,
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