Since the beginning of the 21st century, the political activities of the protestant churches in Korea have caused conflicts among Christians as well as between Christianity and other religions. The purpose of this study is to analyze and find a solution for that problem from the perspective of separation of church and state. Historical experiences tell us that separation of church and state can effectively improve politics and religious freedom than any other political theory. Its key social ethical implications are the secularity of government and the necessity to maintain independence between public service and their personal religious beliefs. However, historically, the concept of separation of church and state has been misunderstood and distorted. The protestant churches in Korea have in the past distorted its meaning by closing its eyes against dictatorship and nowadays actively seek to gain political power. The protestant churches in Korea need to rediscover the Christian political ethics based on the doctrine of separation between church and state. They need to reaffirm their identity as a worship community, not as a political institution. They have to examine critically their motivation of political activities; for their selfish interest, or the public interest. They should refrain from overt political activities, and assert the creative and ethical tension against the state.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the political activities of the protestant churches in Korea have caused conflicts among Christians as well as between Christianity and other religions. The purpose of this study is to analyze and find a solution for that problem from the perspective of separation of church and state. Historical experiences tell us that separation of church and state can effectively improve politics and religious freedom than any other political theory. Its key social ethical implications are the secularity of government and the necessity to maintain independence between public service and their personal religious beliefs. However, historically, the concept of separation of church and state has been misunderstood and distorted. The protestant churches in Korea have in the past distorted its meaning by closing its eyes against dictatorship and nowadays actively seek to gain political power. The protestant churches in Korea need to rediscover the Christian political ethics based on the doctrine of separation between church and state. They need to reaffirm their identity as a worship community, not as a political institution. They have to examine critically their motivation of political activities; for their selfish interest, or the public interest. They should refrain from overt political activities, and assert the creative and ethical tension against the state.

separation of church and state, faith and politics, freedom of religion, multi-religious society, religious partiality of public service personnel