Dialogue happens when a conversation happens between peers, and in an hierarchial culture, there are no peers, not even among twins as Hehmin aptly noted.

Thus, an attempt at dialogue, or most any question, is usually perceived as questioning authority, talking back, showing disrespect, and upsetting the hierarchial order.

rather than deal with subjecting themselves to the rigors of their own cultural heirarchy and “sucking it up” as they’re supposed to…koreans split in order to disregard their own predefined societal order… only to begin their own heirarchy with them at the top.. and thus the cycle begins all over again…

sometimes i wonder how much this plays into the english congregations of predominently immigrated korean churches caught somewhere between the western and korean cultures they know they must abide by…

how much does faith play apart of this cultural tension? i have no idea to what degree… but sometimes it seems like none at all…

just some thoughts that i’ll never get a chance to finish thinking through because of my own cultural pride and embarasment of my own korean kin’s inability to work together

Interesting conversation. I wonder if the question for the Asian American is which do you choose, Asian or American…or perhaps there is really no question…just being a Christian and following the Holy Spirit’s leading. When we follow our culture ahead of Christ, we are disobedient to him…or rather if we love our culture more than Christ that would be idolatry. Sort of like modern day Judaizing.

Not sure if this fits the conversation, but as far as first generation goes, someone told me that a problem in the East Asian Church is that there is Temple Prostitution where Pastors use their influence to encourage certain young women, well you get the idea.

I have seen where “Saving Face” altered the course of Biblical Church discipline and sin was allowed to stay in the church causing a split.

As a member of an Ethnic church, and have been most of my life, there are some stuff that I wonder, is this to glorify Christ or is this just cultural indoctrination? (Language school).

I’d flesh this out some more, but for lack of time and space…well maybe not space…great conversation DJ and Dave.

Thanks for sharing this convo.