Juche: A Christian Study of North Korea's State Religion

by Thomas J. Belke

Embark on an illustrated journey into one of the world's most isolated nations - North Korea. Juche: A Christian Study of North Korea's State Religion takes you on a journey into North Korea to view... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0882643290
• ISBN13: 9780882643298
• Release Date: August 1999
• Publisher: Living Sacrifice Book Co.
• Length: 413 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Juche is Atheism

Juche is just another form of atheism. It is based on evolution and socialism. Its philosophy is made up of recycled cliches borrowed from secular Western ideas, but it tries to portray itself as an original. The bad thing about Juche is that all North Koreans are forced to believe in it against their will. Self-reliance has turned to self-destruction for North Korea, which completely discredits Juche. The lesson of North Korea is that it is better to be a friend of God than to be an enemy of God.

An excellent insight into the driving force in North Korea

Five stars... yes. I recommend this book for anyone who may have the heart or the desire to learn of North Korea and the forces which shaped its present day existence. I have gazed over the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) and seen the devastation in the land of the North and then by turning slightly to the right seen the prosperity of the South. At that time it became apparent who was walking in the blessing and whom in the curse. This book is an excellent aid to those who feel called to pray for N.K. It covers Juche, the architects of Juche, Korean history, those who have seen the inside of N.K. and the spiritual dimensions of this religion. The most challenging part of reading through the book was not the length but how draining and tedious the N.K. government propaganda is. The author hit the nail on the head when he called it "psycho-babble". I commend Commander Belke for writing this book and Living Sacrifice Books for publishing it.

An Outstanding Research Accomplishment

Tom Belke has greatly assisted researchers and policymakers by writing the first U.S. authored analysis of the philosophy of Juche. The book clearly demonstrates that the philosophy is a religion, not a traditional Communist ideology.The book covers the numerous aspects critical to understanding North Korea's doctrine: history, goals, holy places, and concepts behind Juche. The text contains many easy-to-read tables which were welcome by this reviewer. Photographs selected are excellent. The book is heavily footnoted, but this reader would have appreciated even more footnotes. This reader also greatly missed an index, which is critical to researchers and scholars.Mr. Belke's faith helped him to more clearly see the mystical aspects of Juche, something traditional scholars overlook or amazingly dismiss. This reviewer, a non-theist (one that has no concept of God), did not mind the biblical thrust of the book. Unfortunately, the "Christian" tag will no doubt limit the readership. A pity. This reviewer believes that Mr. Belke's desire to paint Juche as "humanist" did somewhat cloud his arguement. I believe he would find humanists to be allies against what is clearly a horrible evil. A small flaw, in an otherwise terrific accomplishment.This book is recommended for those who study North Korea, religion, cults, and foreign policy in general. It should be read as a warning by all policymakers who believe that foreign countries share the goals of peace and properity. "Juche: A Christian Study of North Korea's State Religion" suggests that, sadly, that it is just not so.

Must read for those interested in the effects of world cults

Tom Belke has done a great service for those concerned about cults by taking the lid off one of the world's largest aberrational religious groups and perhaps the least known of all world cults. Because of this book the Western world can now understand the cultic and spiritual dimensions of a belief system that previously was thought to have only political consequences.