An era that has lost the sense of direction in life,
Asking for hope in the midst of chaos
Pastor Kim Ki-seok's profound reflection, "Minimum Dignity"
A story about the values ​​we have lost and the things we need to recover.

"Minimum Dignity" is a collection of 63 columns published in the Kyunghyang Shinmun, Kookmin Ilbo, and Monthly Essay from 2021 to January 2025, organized by topic.
The author of this book, Pastor Kim Ki-seok, deeply reflects on the multi-layered crises facing modern society and explores the possibilities of humanity and hope within them.
In today's world, where economic insecurity, climate crisis, and social conflict pile up, threatening the lives of individuals and communities, social boundaries are becoming more rigid, and the socially vulnerable are experiencing extreme alienation and exclusion.
Pastor Kim Ki-seok emphasizes that in a society where exclusion and hostility are rampant, what we need to create is not more walls, but "spaces of hospitality."
We also look back on moments in history that created hope and encourage us to find new possibilities.
It also provides profound insights into how politics and religion shape human life and community.
In particular, he cautions against dichotomous thinking between good and evil, and emphasizes that embracing diverse values ​​and differences is the essence of democracy and faith.
Pastor Kim Ki-seok's writings organically unravel the corruption and conflict of human desire and irresponsible language, human finitude, and the decline of human values ​​from philosophical, social, and practical perspectives, revealing profound insights.
Traces of having read countless books, freely moving between Eastern and Western classics, including poetry and literature, and various humanities knowledge, are clearly evident throughout the writing, adding to the reader's intellectual fulfillment.
Moreover, Pastor Kim Ki-seok's sharp insight, which is firmly grounded in the harsh realities of life rather than an abstract ideal world, serves as an example as a scholar and adult of the times, and resonates deeply with those who read his writing.
His compelling words, which make us rethink humanity, should remind us of the ethical responsibility and importance of solidarity.

Unfortunately, global literacy among modern people, especially urban dwellers, is very low.
Because we have lost the integrated ability to view our lives within the mystery of the universe.
The moment you lose your sense of awe, the world turns into a market bottom.
A society where profit swallows all values ​​like a black hole is dangerous.
What we desperately need now is a higher perspective from which to view our lives.

--- 「Part 1, 1.
From “When Raising ‘Earth Literacy’”

The world tries to silence those who died unjustly and their families.
There are those who say, "Be quiet!" "Wait!" "That's enough, what more do you want?" and act as if the incident is over with a few pennies in compensation.
Wouldn't true mourning for those who suffered this absurd tragedy involve reforming social systems and fostering a culture of respect for life to prevent such incidents from recurring? Those who refuse to back down despite ridicule and insult, those who resist oblivion and wage a struggle for memory, will never be defeated.
As long as there are those who try to revive fading memories, justice will not be destroyed.
Coincidentally, the date Luther sent his letter to the clergy from Birmingham Prison was April 16th.
--- 「Part 1, 2.
From "We do not support"

The world we live in constantly creates boundaries and divides people, preventing them from communicating with each other.
As we adapt to a world filled with hostility, our souls are consumed by fear, terror, and anger.
The space for gratitude, joy, and praise is becoming increasingly narrow.
--- 「Part 1, 6.
From "The Deafening Noise Created by the Collision of Desires"

Even if we don't expect Plato's philosopher kings, I hope that people with liberal arts education will become representatives of the people.
This is an era in which we need people who possess deep insight into the complex and diverse realities of human existence, who listen attentively to the voices of the marginalized, and who possess a clear position on the direction history should take.
He must also be someone who faces the various crises of our time and constantly strives to acquire the practical wisdom to overcome them.
His thinking must be flexible, and respect for humanity must be at the very core of his being.
If people who seek to justify their existence by belittling others, and people who use their bluster to silence others, enter the stage of history, history is bound to regress.
--- 「Part 1, 13.
From "Things You Should Really Be Afraid Of"

A hallmark of an enlightened mind is the recognition that it has limitations in its perception and action.
Hesitation is not a trait of the weak, but should be the basic attitude of all who seek the truth.
Absolute certainty that does not allow even the slightest doubt is dangerous.
The more self-confident people are, the more they are reluctant to accept change.
They are as dangerous as a train with broken brakes.
Life ceases to grow when there is no room for newness to intrude.
Violence thrives on rigidity that cannot tolerate differences.
Tolerating differences does not mean weakening one's own identity.

--- 「Part 2, 8.
From "Limited Beings"

Consumer society thrives on creating dissatisfaction and anxiety.
Dissatisfaction arises from a sense of comparison with others.
The moment you harbor the desire to be different from others, you are not allowed to rest.
Because the moment you take a breather, you become obsessed with the idea that you might be overtaken by a competitor.
There can be no conflict between those who internalize competition and live in it.
As the possibility of peaceful coexistence diminishes, reality turns into an invisible battlefield.
--- 「Part 2, 9.
From “The desire to be different from others”

Humanity, riding on the chariot of desire, is living in Cassandra's time.
The religion of consumerism is taking hold of people's souls.
Capitalism, which is maintained through the expanded reproduction of desire, constantly creates symbols of scarcity to tempt people.
People cannot tolerate the time difference between desire and satisfaction.
The moment you hold in your hand the symbol of happiness you worked so hard to obtain, another deficiency becomes apparent.
Happiness is on hold and only a tiring routine remains.
That's how a fatigue society arrives.
--- 「Part 2, 10.
Among “hardship, resentment, and anxiety”

The pain of the victims does not subside with the passage of time.
Their pain is becoming more vivid because of those who try to deny or nullify the very incident that clearly occurred.
It is shocking that their existence is being denied, but it is even more heartbreaking that the government, which should be on their side, seems to be viewing them as an obstacle to historical progress.
This perception of history is not only unjust, but also extremely dangerous.
--- 「Part 2, 11.
From “Ruler-centered thinking”

The world is in an uproar because of words that judge right and wrong.
The words that cross between people have long since lost their homes.
Words cannot connect people and cannot guarantee the truth at face value.
Because words serve someone's interests.
--- 「Part 2, 12.
From "Flat Mind"

Everyone cries out that the weight of life they carry is heavy.
Boredom and helplessness color our daily lives, blinding us to the eternity embedded in time.
Of course, everything in the world is destined to decline, but there is no reason to accept that with sadness.
It is a habit of the weak to yearn for another life while unfairly ignoring the everyday and ordinary things.
The poet Gu Sang expressed that as the veil of ignorance that had been covering the eyes of the soul was lifted, one came to realize that everything surrounding oneself was a single message.
Miracles are not something that exists separately, but are a reality that appears to those who open their eyes.
Those who open their eyes and see the mystery of life in everyday life are bound to experience the joy of being liberated from the slavery of tiresome desires.
--- 「Part 2, 13.
From “Daily Life Filled with Boredom and Helplessness”

There is a saying that a name is a portent.
The moment we hear the name, our body and mind react simultaneously.
When I hear the name of my favorite food, my heart warms and my mouth waters.
The moment I hear the name of a food I dislike, I frown.
There are people who, the moment their name is called, bring a longing to them like a mist and a smile to their lips, while there are people who, the moment they hear their name, fill their hearts with discomfort and their body stiffens.
A name is a symbol for distinction.
To know a name is to open one's eyes to individuality.
--- 「Part 2, 22.
From "Knowing the Name"

There are people in the world who are dedicated to broadening the horizons of the human spirit.
In the 20th century, a century of war, there are people like Albert Schweitzer, who presented a new life ethic through the simple truth that “all life wants to live,” and Mahatma Gandhi, who, despite experiencing the harsh violence of the empire, presented a path for both the oppressor and the oppressed to be liberated through non-violent resistance.
But even if their names are not widely known, those who willingly put themselves in danger to save precious lives should also be considered beings who have elevated the human spirit.
All suffering does not result in spiritual nobility.
The sublimity of the human spirit is always expressed through extraordinary suffering.
Extraordinary suffering is not passive suffering that we have no choice but to endure, but suffering that we actively choose to endure.
There are people who jump into the turbulent waters to turn back the flow of history that swallows up the weak.
--- 「Part 3, 2.
From “The Direction History Should Aim For”

Arabic numerals organize people into lines and hierarchies.
Becoming an adult doesn't free you from Arabic numerals.
People are visually ranked by their annual salary, the engine displacement of their car, and the size of their home.
Those who stare intently at the stock market board sigh or exclaim at the sight of the flashing numbers.
Arabic numerals either make people feel proud or intimidated.
Arabic numerals are powerful.
But there are many things that Arabic numerals cannot do.
Isn't it impossible to quantify human qualities, beauty, empathy, responsibility, friendship, love, etc.?
--- 「Part 3, 5.
From “Life as a Dance in a Round Shape”

To build intimate relationships, you must first create space to welcome others.
But at some point, the house that used to be so welcoming to neighbors became an extremely private space, and even when I finally met friends, I felt embarrassed.
Indirect encounters through social networking services are more familiar than face-to-face encounters.
In that space, you can express empathy with the other person's posts by saying things like "Like," "Cheer up," or "I'm sad," but you are not deeply involved in their reality.
Because a safe distance is secured.
The meaning of life is a gift given when we respond to the needs of others.
--- 「Part 3, 9.
From “The Repository of Social Capital”

But things changed quite a bit when words became power.
Language is sometimes used like a blade or a whip.
Dictators are people who speak alone.
Those around him are only allowed to write down his words or repeat them like parrots.
No other words are allowed.
The words of politicians who only care about the opinions of those in power are despicable.
Words that should serve truth and freedom are more often used to create lies, division, and confusion.
This phenomenon is not limited to the political world.
Words that should be the foundation of trust in all sectors of our society are not fulfilling their role.
--- 「Part 3, 10.
From “Language of Dignity”

When you feel overwhelmed by the weight of life and don't know what to do, you need to find a place to go.
Of course, that place could be a specific space, a person, or a community.
If there is a place where we can just be ourselves, even without saying anything, or by his side, we can overcome the hardships of life.
Some people soothe their worries by tending to their gardens, while others calm their minds by hoeing in the fields.
(...) There are people all over the world who make places beautiful through hospitality.
Thanks to those who bring forth the springs of hospitality from the sea of ​​hostility, we gain the strength to live again.

--- 「Part 3, 15.
Among those who make places beautiful through hospitality

The ancient Greek philosopher Isocrates said, “True persuasion does not come from plausible words.
“It comes from the character that is conveyed through words and makes those thoughts straight,” he said.
Perhaps the reason people have difficulty trusting politicians is because they lack character in their seemingly unorthodox words and actions. Arendt said that politics is "acting together to explore and preserve forms of togetherness."
The most important thing for living together is mutual recognition and respect.
Is the politics of coexistence just a dream? --- 「Part 3, 16.
From “What We Need to Live Together”

Pastor Kim Heung-ho, who explains the profound meaning of the Bible through Eastern and Western philosophy, says that a teacher is someone who “does nothing but helps people grow.”
A teacher is someone who has a clear attitude toward life, someone who has conquered himself, and someone who has become a mountain himself.
“If there is a mountain, people climb it alone.
“That being does nothing, yet it makes others rise by itself.” A master is one who does everything by being.
If not meeting a teacher is a tragedy in life, then it is a tragedy.
Life becomes impoverished when we don't meet people to look up to and emulate.

--- 「Part 3, 17.
From “The Beginning of Learning is Looking”

Each person is the author of his own life.
No one can live for us.
Just as fingerprints are all different, our perspectives and attitudes toward the world are bound to be different.
I shouldn't judge people by my standards.
The appearance of a mountain varies depending on where you stand.
When you change your viewing position, the mountain appears in a different form.
We only know in part.
Humans strive for holistic knowledge, but their attempts always end in failure.
Lao Tzu said in Chapter 14 of the Tao Te Ching, “What you see but cannot see is called ‘flatness.’”
Something that cannot be heard even when heard is called 'faint'.
Something that cannot be caught when caught is called 'very small'.
There is no way to do these three things.
So he teaches that “these are mixed together to form one.”
The world is full of unknown things.
The proverb, “You can know the depth of ten feet of water, but you cannot know the heart of a person one foot deep” clearly reveals the complexity of human beings.
Understanding and accepting that complexity is maturity.

--- 「Part 3, 19.
From “Everyone is the author of their own life”