OVERVIEW

With the influx of Internet use, young people are taking advantage of the wide audience to voice their many opinions. Z&D: Korean American is one of many Internet magazines created by and for young Korean Americans. This author is one of many writers who wants to voice her opinion on being Korean American and the role of church in many Korean people's lives.

"However, it really is possible to be Korean-American without being Christian and while I'm not saying you should have to choose one over the other, the unnecessary grouping of the two categories unfairly forces people to take all or none in understanding and living the Korean-American experience." The author looks at the strong link between faith and culture and how many Koreans have used church as a forum for social connections rather than a place to nurture one's faith.

"Attending a Korean church is a declaration not only of one's religions affiliation, but of one's ethnicity and commitment to that particular ethnic community as well." Many Korean churches have cultural classes in conjunction with Bible study in order to maintain heritage. For many young Korean Americans, church has become synonymous with Korean.

1. What are some advantages and disadvantages of having a cultural link with the place you worship?
2. What are some stereotypes that could arise if students only hear and/or speak Korean at church?
3. What are some ways that young people can be able to express their "Korean-ness" at church and also their "Christian-ness"? Is it wrong to do both simultaneously?

1. Youth workers must be aware of the vast array of connections that Koreans are able to establish just by being a certain position at church. Many parents and children become more and more compartmentalized in their faith, because the weekend is the only time they are able to see and talk to people of the same culture.
2. In the Korean community, even non-Christians will go to church just to be around people who are like them. How can youth workers use this as an opportunity to witness?
3. When a family first comes to the U.S., the first place they will look for is a church. Youth workers must be able to accommodate these new students in order to teach young people how to exhibit love to people they might not even be able to communicate with. Youth workers can set an example and encourage young people to reach out to others who might be lonely.
4. Questions of identity and culture can be explored as this topic is discussed. Youth workers can use these discussions as an opportunity to explore the different compartments that teenagers might have.

Lisa S. Oh cCYS

IMPLICATIONS

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

Lee, S.J. (1998, December). Dispelling the myth. Z&d: Korean American. (ZandD.com). Internet magazine.