From the days of Marco Polo onwards, western men especially, have been captivated by the mystique of the Orient. Much of this was and still is, based on the beauty of Asian women along with the beliefs regarding their sexual availability. On top of this was the perception, that many of the things regarded as sinful in the Christian world would be perfectly normal and acceptable in the Orient. Sin needed to be redefined.

What is Sin?

The Korean term “Choe” (cho – eh) which translates as “sin,” helps to explain this. Koreans have a clear understanding of Choe or sin, but it is very different from the Western definition. Choe, is concerned with outward appearances whereas Christian sin involves inner thoughts and outward expressions of behaviour.

Sin means something entirely different.

Choe, focused primarily on the failure of an inferior to behave in a respectful manner to superiors or to disobey orders which were never, ever to be questioned. For instance, a child not respecting or obeying # the father. This is a sin of the first order. Sin, defined by this criterion is not based on absolutes, such as right and wrong, but on the effect, it has on the family, and society itself.

A secondary level of Choe involved the breaking of rules of etiquette or proper behaviour between the sexes, husband, and wife, young and old. Examples are, failing to bow properly, not using the prescribed forms of speech or poor etiquette. Transgressions such as these were still deplorable and unacceptable but not quite to the same degree as those mentioned above.

Sin, in the traditional Korean sense, is any behaviour that upsets the detailed balance of social harmony in all relationships. Morality was about the physical and not the intellectual ideas of right and wrong as it is in Christian societies. The concept of morality and sin in the Korean (Asian) sense is circumstantial. Even so, what was seen as a moral sin to some people was perfectly okay for others.

“Anything goes” type of mentality

Foreigners saw that Christian sins didn’t apply to Korea or the Orient. This would lead to an “anything goes” type of mentality. Including, the notion, that they could get away with virtually anything at any time. However, this wasn’t always the case.

The concept of sin in Korea has changed a lot in recent years. Mostly from the growth in popularity of Christianity. The Christian sense of morality and democracy is most evident in government and in the treatment of women. Choe, however, continues as Confucian and Buddhist ideals remain first and foremost.

Choe gives leeway

One of the advantages that Choe based morality has over the western sin ethic is that it allows for a tremendous amount of leeway in what people can do and how they do it. As there are no universal absolutes such as right and wrong, politicians and businessmen feel their actions are to be judged on the basis of the risk involved and the amount of benefit they get if they succeed.