Fighting Against the Culture of Death

 

A parish priest in the Catholic Times Eyes of the Believer column has some words he wants the readers to ponder for the four-day holiday of Chuseok, September 10th, Korean Thanksgiving Day. It is celebrated on the 15th of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, the day of the harvest moon. He mentions the Culture of Death as a great hindrance to our enjoyment of life in its fullness.

A new culture of death is rampant in our society these days. The existing culture of death, such as abortion, suicide, euthanasia, the death penalty, and embryonic stem cells, has long weakened our meaning and joy for life. There is a risk of damaging the dignity of life as people are divided in favor of the enactment of the Doctor-Assisted Dignity Act, which will lead to an increase in the suicide rate. In addition to this culture of death, as the times change, a new culture of death such as child abuse, digital sexual violence, hate, power abuse, racism, sexism, and ecological destruction is driving our society. 

 

Child abuse and digital sex crimes are not only anti-life and anti-human but getting worse every year. In addition, these two problems have in common economic inequality and result in extremes in child-rearing. 

 

The majority of child abuse is handed down by parents who were often abused by their parents. Abused children tend to replace their parents' love and joy by relying too much on online games and smartphones for experiences of love they do not receive from their parents. Digital addiction impairs brain development from childhood.

 

The culture of death is closely intertwined with each other. Punishment and education to prevent child abuse or digital sex crimes are also necessary, but without fundamental healing to break the vicious cycle, such criminal acts will continue to evolve into new forms. 

 

The word 'hate' is now common in our society. Aversion, dislike, and loathing are seen often.

 

The object of hate is vast: sexism, racism, discrimination against minorities, and the weak. In 2016 a man brutally murdered a woman he didn't know or ever met before near Gangnam Station. This incident was expanded and reproduced into an active feminist debate. An active and effective alternative to this culture of death is unconditional hospitality to others.

 

French philosopher Emmanuel Levinas, who established the ethics of the other, believes that a culture of love and life is possible by responding to the 'face of the other' and meeting without conditions. Pope Francis is also accepting of migrants, refugees, and the socially disadvantaged as a 'culture of encounter and dialogue rather than a 'culture of walls' from the position of unconditionally welcoming others in the spirit of universal brotherhood and social fraternity. In the encyclical All Brothers the pope stressed this openness to the other. 

 

There is a personal brotherhood, but when social camaraderie through solidarity is practiced, the possibility of transforming the culture of death into a culture of love and life will open up. On this Chuseok holiday, the writer hopes that no one is excluded and marginalized, and in solidarity with neighbors in need expressed in sharing and caring. Happy Harvest Festival!