Ceremonial bowing and offering food at ancestors' tombs -- a case study

Chuseok, a major Korean holiday, poses challenges for Korean Christians due to the practice of visiting graves and performing rituals to honor and pray to deceased ancestors.
Some Korean Christians refuse to bow at the tombs of their ancestors, considering it incompatible with their faith, while others, like Catholics, may still participate in the practice.
The refusal to bow at tombs can create tension within families, as some view it as a rejection of family and ancestral traditions.
The question arises whether a Christian can show respect by bowing before an ancestor's grave without it being considered an act of worship and how they can distance themselves from the prayers and food offerings associated with the ritual.

Is the Korean Chuseok an act of worshiping the deceased?

Some general case study guidelines to aid reflection and discussion.

A graduate student is teaching English in Korea. He writes back to his professor in the U.S. with a question: Are there nuances of meaning in ceremonial bowing at ancestors' tombs that make that practice unacceptable to Christians?

Here's the student's letter:

Dear professor:

In our Cultural Anthropology class, you had us do some case studies involving dilemmas faced by people of other cultures after they became Christians. I've been thinking about those that, in particular, involved new Christians who felt they could no longer participate in some of the traditional practices that their families expected them to.

This past weekend -- September 17 -- was a major Korean holiday. The traditions associated with that holiday pose challenges for Korean Christians, challenges that are similar to those in the case studies we looked at in class.

The name of this holiday is Chuseok (also spelled Chusok or Ch'usok). Chuseok is somewhat comparable to the American/Canadian Thanksgiving in that it involves a harvest celebration and is connected to their Harvest Moon.

The holiday lasts three days. During that time, everyone goes home to the grandparents' house on the father's side of the family, where the entire family will gather. There are a lot of gifts given and large meals eaten. During this holiday, the grandparents will decide if this is the right time for the younger married couples to have their first child or to add another one, as the case may be. From what I understand, Chuseok is Korea's largest and most important holiday, surpassing even Christmas.

What makes the celebration of Chuseok problematic for Christians is that during the holiday, families visit the graves of their deceased ancestors. During these gravesite visits, rituals of gratefulness to the ancestors are performed. The ancestors are thanked for providing materially for those currently alive. Prayers are said to the deceased, and food is often offered to them. The blessing of the ancestors is invoked, during which time everyone bows before the tomb or tombs.

Today, I had a discussion about this with Dr. Cho, a Korean Bible professor from a nearby university who attends the International English Church. He told me that while he and his family visited the gravesite of his deceased family members during this year's Chuseok, they did not bow as is the traditional custom.

"Christians do not bow," he told me.

Our own pastor was there for part of the discussion, and he mentioned that Catholics are permitted to bow in this situation. He also noted that many Korean Protestants consider Roman Catholics to be idol worshipers anyway.

This issue is a source of tension for families in which some of them have become Christians and refuse to bow at the tombs of their ancestors. Other members of the family consider this refusal to be a serious form of rejection of the family.

What if I get asked about the dilemma facing Korean Christians? How should I respond? Since the practice of bowing for greeting is such an integral part of Korean culture, could a Christian bow before the grave of an ancestor as a form of showing respect without it being an act of worshiping the spirit of the deceased? If so, how do the Christians distance themselves from the prayers being said to the deceased and from the food being offered to them?
Sincerely yours . . . .

PBS description of Chusok

-- Howard Culbertson.

Afterword

When a Christian from one culture seeks to assist Christians in another culture in discerning whether certain practices are wrong or not, it's essential to approach the situation with sensitivity and humility. There needs to be a genuine desire to understand the cultural context and biblical principles involved. Here are some to take:

Build Relationships: Before addressing any cultural practices, build relationships and trust within the community. This helps in understanding their perspective. It ensures that any discussion is based on mutual respect.
Study the Bible Together: Encourage studying the Bible together, focusing on understanding its principles. This allows both parties to evaluate practices in light of scriptural guidance rather than personal or cultural biases.
Cultural Understanding: Take time to learn about the cultural background and context of the practices in question. What might seem wrong in one culture could be a deeply rooted tradition or expression of faith in another. Understanding the cultural significance can provide insights into why certain practices exist.
Consult Local Christian Leaders: Seek guidance and insight from local Christian leaders who understand the cultural nuances. They can provide valuable perspectives and help navigate complex cultural dynamics.
Prayer and Discernment: Encourage prayerful discernment both individually and collectively. Seek God's guidance and wisdom in making decisions regarding cultural practices.
Focus on Core Biblical Principles: Instead of imposing personal opinions or cultural standards, focus on core biblical principles such as love, justice, compassion, and the pursuit of righteousness. Evaluate whether the practices in question align with these principles.
Dialogue and Open Communication: Foster an environment of open communication where all parties feel comfortable expressing their views and concerns without fear of judgment. Encourage dialogue to explore different perspectives and reach a mutual understanding.
Acknowledge Cultural Diversity: Recognize and celebrate the diversity within the body of Christ. Different cultures may express their faith in various ways. Unity does not necessarily mean uniformity.
Consider Consequences: Evaluate the potential consequences of condemning or condoning certain practices. Consider how such decisions might impact relationships within the community and the witness of the Church to the broader society.
Continued Support and Follow-Up: Offer continued support and follow-up to ensure that any decisions made are implemented effectively and that the community feels supported in their journey of faith.

These steps can help Christians from one culture effectively assist Christians in another culture to discern the rightness or wrongness of practices while fostering mutual understanding, respect, and unity within the body of Christ.

Ceremonial bowing and offering food at ancestors' tombs -- a case study

Afterword

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