Before visiting South Korea in 2014, I was one of those people who thought that most of Asia was Buddhist. I guess the post cards and tourism photos had given me that impression. However, while in Korea for three months, it was surprising to hear that the majority of those living on the Korean Peninsula had rejected religion in previous centuries. Unlike other Asian countries, they were mostly atheist or non-religious up to the late 1800s. It made me wonder if this may account for the reason why communism, an atheistic governance system, was compatible with the culture when it was first introduced before the Korean war.
Christianity, brought to Korea by missionaries in the early 1900s, is the predominant Faith in South Korea today – it accounts for ¹⁄₃ of South Korean population – while ¹⁄₃ remains non-religious. But in a world that has never been anything other than “religious” in almost every culture – even as far back at the ancient Mayan Indians, ancient Egyptians and ancient Chinese civilizations – it’s difficult to ever imagine a day when there’s a global “walk out” from all of them in preference to the one person.
In accordance with how Satan works, this world leader will display power through signs and wonders that serve the lie. [v9] But again there’s good news. Any marvellous trickery will only deceive those who are perishing. [v10-12] In other words, there’s safety in the future for those who choose to stick close to Father God’s Masterplan now.
[a] Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32.