No matter how often Religion and Depression in Asian Youth – a topic that was blogged on 8Asians three years ago – is blogged about, written, or discussed, I’m not so sure we’ll come to a concrete, definitive conclusion. But that’s okay. I’ll pose the question here for discussion: Is religion really the cause of depression in Asian teens?

It breaks my heart each time I read a news article or a blog post about someone taking his/her own life. It saddens me to imagine the sadness, hopelessness and loneliness someone might have been going through as they made the heart-wrenching decision to end their own life.

Some studies are actually pointing to religion as being one of the causes of depression in Asian youth. And in some ways, I can understand why some would come to this conclusion. That said, I don’t think religion causes depression as much as I don’t think religion cures depression. When I was in high school, I struggled with bouts of depression. And even I had many thoughts about what it would be like to end my own life. (And those movies some public schools included in their curriculum about how bad suicide – among other things- was, only peeked my curiosity more.) And I actually became a Christian in high
school and got involved in a Christian church. And I remember several of my friends made fun of me for being religious. But Christianity as a religion isn’t what brought me out of my depression; it was what I gained as a Christian, a growing relationship with God and other believers who had someone perfect (Jesus) to hope in.

In some ways, I do wish there was a simple answer to what is causing so many young folks to be depressed, so much to the point of taking their own lives. Because if we had a simple answer of the cause, maybe we have the chance of coming up with a solution. But when there are so many different people, struggling with different things, and dealing with it in different ways, it’s hard to have a blanket solution and answer.

(Image credit: iccpastor)

I wish my Grandfather were still alive so that I could ask him what he thinks about the passing of North Korea’s Kim Jung Il. My Grandfather was a very wise and gracious man. He never made an unfavorable comment about anyone (except this one South Korean president from the ‘80s). He’s the man who always spoke highly of Japan, its people, the country, the customs, even though he was directly affected by the occupation of Korea by the very same people. So, I wonder if he would have mixed feelings like some of the Korean Americans from North Korea are experiencing over Kim’s death.

I heard so many different stories of my Grandfather’s life, that it didn’t really hit me until he died that my family is from North Korea (before it was called North Korea). In fact, both sets of my grandparents are from the North. I (repeatedly) heard stories of all of my grandparents escaping the North when the Korean War broke out, just in the nick of time. I guess when I was little, I listened to those stories haphazardly. It wasn’t until a few years ago, did I really begin to understand how crucial it was for me, my siblings and my cousins that my grandparents escaped when they did.

And while I grew up fearing what the unpredictable leaders of North Korea would do to South Korea or any other country they saw as an enemy, I find myself wrestling with mixed feelings as well over Kim’s death. I’m glad the horrible, oppressive leader is dead. But as horrible as he was, I’m not sure the suffering of his people will end with his death. And I just keep wondering what profound comment my Grandfather would have made about Kim’s passing and the state of North Korea.

I’m not wholeheartedly agreeing or disagreeing with the author, Tammy Kim. I think she writes very valid points of why Korean American churches need a makeover. I’m just giving MY opinions.

So here is Jee’s version of “extreme” Korean American Church Makeover:

1. Humility: One of the most common struggles in a Korean American Church is the frequent church splits. And you know why they have them? PRIDE. Everyone thinks their way is best. I would just encourage them to try a bit (rather, a lot) of humility.
2. Grace: The bible teaches that we are saved by Grace and we live under Grace each day. That being said, I don’t get why some Korean American Churches focus on law and the doing of those laws. I don’t get why member Joe might be judged and ostracized for his choices when a little loving rebuke (encouragement to better choices) might be what member Joe needs.
3. Love: If you ask anyone in the (Korean American) church if they love so and so, they’ll most likely say “yes.” I mean, it’s the right thing to do right? But do they really? There are plenty of people who are genuinely loving, but there are many others who like to stay within their similar genre of people and who look down on others for stumbling in their faith (Christianity) or just ‘cause they are a little different.

Like I said before, I’m no expert. I don’t have the solution. But I’ve been around enough bad examples of how Christians are to live from folks in Korean American Churches that I’ve formed an opinion here and there. I’m tired of hearing about Korean American Church splits because some member dude didn’t like the pastor, wanted control and convinced folks to go with him. I’m tired of – oh bother, I think I’ve said enough.

[Photo courtesy of Flickr]

But, somewhere in my genetic makeup is a deep love for instant ramen.

I blame my Dad for this; I grew up sneaking instant ramen into my belly as often as I can. I had to hide it from the Mother who frowned upon the horror that is instant ramen. She would go on and on about how bad it was and how it’s going to ruin my health. I would have a sassy comeback and ignore her and I happily slurped through my bowl of instant goodness. I love it so  much, I even have my own little method of cooking it.

This is the reason I would never show my Mother this article on students who have ate instant foods increasing their risk of getting chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Oh, the gloating she would do and the triumph she would feel knowing that her nagging has been true all along. She would never be silenced in saying over and over again how instant ramen consumption really does have negative and horrible affects on one’s health.

Declare INDIE declares to be (shoot me, I’m in cheese mode):

1. An Asian American music showcase with AWESOME artists.
2. In cooperation with Kollaboration Chicago.
3. In support of Team Connor Bone Marrow Registry Drive.

Check out the promo videos if you need more convincing. Click the link coming up to travel to their Facebook events page for what you need to know. [EDITORS NOTE: The event is also listed on our my.8asians events page, if you want to see who else is attending!]

Let’s take a moment and give it up for a man who has done what I only dream about doing: write something that people actually enjoy.

I love the Olympics. We already covered that. My second favorite Winter Olympic sport is Short Track Speed Skating. My fandom of this sport is in large part to a certain cutie named Apolo Ohno who makes speed skating look like the hottest sport ever invented. I’ll admit that I’m pretty biased when it comes to Ohno, because even if he makes ungracious comments, I’ll overlook it, chalking it up to his good looks impairing his social graces during interviews.

I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned how much I love the Olympics. My favorite sport for the Winter Olympics is, without a doubt, Women’s Figure Skating. There’s something about elegance meeting athleticism that really inspires me. Back in the Kristi Yamaguchi days, I would imagine myself as a beautiful figure skater . . . “Imagine” being the operative word here, folks.

I was especially invested in this year’s Women’s Figure Skating because of Kim Yuna and Mao Asada. I remember watching them when they were just starting out, reading articles of their rivalry and how each girl was motivated by the other (by the competition) to get better. In a rather unpatriotic move, I wanted so much for either Kim or Asada to win the 2010 gold. Although I adore Mirai Nagasu, I hoped that Kim and Asada’s years of hard work and determination would pay off with a nice shiny medal.

You can imagine my joy with the result of Women’s Figure Skating, where Yuna and Asada respectively placed gold and silver. Well, I would have loved it more if Nagasu won Bronze, but hey, we can’t have it all! Kim excelled in both her programs to win the gold medal, along with the respect of so many people. My worry that all the pressure on her slight, but strong shoulders would be too much for her was all for naught. Even though Asada expressed regret at the free skate program, I’m also proud of her all the same.

I can’t end this post without giving a special shout out to Nagasu who had a great showing at her first Olympics. She was 6th going into the Free Skate and after a beautiful program, she bested Miki Ando and Rachael Flatt to finish 4th. She captured the attention of the global community as a hopeful medalist for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

I think it’s appropriate for me to wrap this up with a quote from one of my friends who surprisingly enjoyed Women’s Figure Skating. “What’s with these Asian girls who dominate in figure skating?”

(Image Credit: NBC Olympics)