After reading “Love thy neighbor like thyself” by managing editor Oh Young-jin, I had to respond.
Somehow, somewhere, the phrase and the meaning got translated incorrectly and the true message got lost. Jesus wasn’t advocating extending ones narcissistic love of self to others, as in loving your neighbors “like” you love yourself. Rather, the expression is “Love thy neighbor as yourself,” which is entirely different. If everyone is worthy of God’s love, then by extension, we ought to love others “as” God loves us.
Additionally, “neighbor” isn’t referring to those that live next door to us, but all of humanity, not just other Koreans, but the Japanese, the Chinese, North Koreans, etc.
The true tenet is a wonderful thing to follow and practice, but it isn’t very practical in the instances that were mentioned in the editorial. Moreover, it doesn’t address the social turmoil that is unfolding in Korea.
With Korean people haphazardly abandoning Confucius practices and beliefs and pursuing superficial ideals, no sound social construct remains to support and safeguard this society. In short, Koreans are facing a cultural vacuum and a paradigm shift.
More social unrest is certain to arise during this transition.
Why should the onus always be on the non-aggressor to exercise tolerance, as in trying to ignore a noisy neighbor? Why not also aim for the perpetrator to practice a measure of civility and courtesy during this transition?
Admittedly, the only person you can control is yourself, but surely, some of these issues, like noise complaints, can easily be legislated with an enforceable ordinance. The more meaningful concepts, like courtesy, however, will necessitate a long-term national campaign and a few decades before it ever becomes part of the Korean psyche.
Until then, an expensive pair of custom molded earplugs and a thick skin will have to do.
Steve Austin
Seoul