Juche
is the official government-authorized state religion of North Korea. Juche is
believed to have between nineteen million and twenty-five million followers and
is considered the world's tenth largest religions.
The
secular religion of Juche was established in the 1950s by North Korean
president Kim IL Sung in response to external influences from China and Russia.
Juche
has no holy books or sacred text(s). The only texts are those which state
officials deem authoritative documents. There is no God(s) in Juche religion.
There is no beliefs in a heaven or hell. All emphasis is on 'this' life.
Juche
is fully atheistic and is of the view that the state is supreme. Particularly
that of the presiding president of the country.
The
name "Juche" means "self-dependence" in Korean and is a
political term with its roots in Maoism and Marxist-Leninism. Under Juche. No
other religious ideologies are permitted and members of the Juche religion are
expected to show unblinking allegiance to the government. No exceptions.
Question:
1)
What are your thoughts on Juche religion?
2)
Is Juche religion an example of what a militarized atheist state represents?
3)
Is Juche the end result of secularism?
4)
Are there any other religions similar to Juche?
Payne,
Stanley G. "On the heuristic value of the concept of political religion
and its application." Totalitarian Movements and Political Religions 6.2
(2005): 163-174.
Hale,
Christopher. "Multifunctional Juche: A Study of the Changing Dynamic
between Juche." Korea Journal (2002).
Belke,
Thomas J. "Juche a Christian Study of North Korea's State Religion."
(1999).
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