How do you say "Culture War" in Korean? GLBTQ Gathering Seoul Plaza 28 June 2015

To oppose something is to maintain it ... To oppose vulgarity is inevitably to be vulgar. You must go somewhere else; you must have another goal; then you walk a different road. -Ursula K. LeGuin, The Left Hand of Darkness

Last Sunday I walked down to the Seoul Plaza (as "central Seoul" as one can get) where some human fireworks were set to go off. I wanted to spend generous time with two groups who really do not understand, or are generous with each other: cultural expressions of GLBTQ and Christianity in Korea. Police, a 6-feet high fence, disdain and suspicion separated the two groups.

I made two videos, one from the GLBTQ group:

and one from the protest group: 

I witnessed almost 100% good behavior. Christian protesters kept up their signs, their prayers and hymns; at no time did I see any individual provoke the opponents. I did witness, however, one GLBTQ sympathizer, dressed as Jesus (below) provoke those across the fence with a most indecent gesture.

Most of the time, only written messages and colorful symbols crossed the line. 

Most folks at the GLBTQ gathering were there to share community, staff booths, be entertained or perform. They came to see and be the scene.

Protesters were in two groups, seeming to represent two different Christian sects, and positioned on two different sides of the rounded triangle of the fenced-in Seoul Plaza containing the LGBTQ gathering. With singers blasting hymns through some serious sets of loudspeakers, and drums perforating the air, I was reminded of Joshua circling Jericho with trumpets. 

I was struck that these protesters used the national flag as part of their presence. Indeed, the flag seemed to be the protesters' dominant symbol.

The backdrop of this gathering was the US Supreme Court's decision just a few days prior, making marriage equality the law of USA-land. Korea is not even close to this national consensus; the Culture Wars continue.

I close with this wondering: I know from experience the more I oppose something (within, without), the more life I give it. To maintain an enemy (within, without) is with certainty to maintain that enemy ... and one ever-so-slowly/surely transmogrifies into the very hatred one despises. So I wonder if those on either side of the fence who reject the positions of the other ... Do they not prolong their fight, and thus their agony, and thus The Day they seek? 

What IS this law of human nature, that to oppose, is to maintain?

Insights & Comments Welcome!

Next time:
To understand any religion in Korea, 

one must understand Shamanism.
Maybe even to understand any religion anywhere,
one must consider Shamanism?