How to Recognize Different Cultures: Guilt, Shame, and Fear

When I moved to Hong Kong, I discovered a world of different cultures. I came from a place that emphasized “taking care of Number One.” I arrived in a place that stressed a person’s responsibility to do what’s best for the community. A place where people’s concern was not only about saving their face, but also about saving mine. A place more sensitive to shame than guilt. Where the push for consensus was much stronger than settling for a majority.

Different Cultures on Display

A middle-aged woman on the mainland lost her electricity because she hadn’t paid her bill. In response, she undressed and stood before the power company staff for two hours. The police came and forced her to dress. After they left, she removed her clothes again. The power company reconnected her power without receiving payment. The company had shamed the woman by shutting off her power. So, she shamed herself by standing naked in front of the staff, thereby, shaming them. To remove the shame, they gave her what she wanted so she would dress and leave.

In Hong Kong, I saw pairs of giant stone lions in front of temples, businesses, and homes. Their job was to protect the premises from people who were envious or had malicious intentions. Although dubious, many business owners still stationed the lions outside, hoping they would drive away troublemakers and attract happy customers. The lions were symbols of power and protection. Their fierce faces were supposed to scare off evil spirits. 

Introduction to Different Cultures

We live in an interconnected world of diverse cultures. As believers, we need to acquaint ourselves with different worldviews so we can help people see how God’s Word applies to them. In sharing scripture and stories of faith with those who came to our church, I discovered that our understanding of sin and salvation was not the same. Learning to speak God to people who had never heard of him challenged me. Does the Bible only speak to Western culture? Must everyone become Western before they can become Christian? To communicate God’s truth, I needed to study the cultures I encountered.

The guilt/shame/fear model of classification helped me make sense of the differences I saw. Most cultures are mixtures of guilt/innocence, honor/shame, and fear/power. However, one type often dominates. About 30% of the world is predominantly guilt/innocence, while 60-70% is honor/shame or fear/power.

Guilt/Innocence Culture

Most guilt/innocence cultures are individualist (i.e., Western). We measure everything with the yardstick of right and wrong. We make laws that determine innocence and guilt. Knowing and exercising individual rights is a primary concern. We teach children to be law-abiding and expect them to develop a conscience. We define innocence as being right or as righteousness. People feel guilty for what they have done or not done. Communication is direct; confrontation is acceptable. 

Honor/Shame Culture

Honor/shame cultures are generally collectivist. The issue isn’t right or wrong but honorable or dishonorable. Acquiring honor and avoiding shame are the highest goals. Self-expression and fulfillment are less important than group success and honor. Shame comes from failing to fulfill the group’s expectations. Individuals sacrifice for the good of the team, family, village, or country. Communication is indirect, and body language communicates feelings. The unspoken is as significant, if not more significant, than the spoken. The woman who disrobed in front of the power company staff was using shame to get what she wanted.

Fear/Power Culture

Fear/power cultures are also usually collectivist. People fear unseen forces such as evil spirits, curses, and ancestors. The goal is to appease or manipulate the spirits to act in your favor. The lion statues I saw were symbols of power to scare away evil forces.

If we don’t know people’s worldview and culture, we can misinterpret what they say and do. We’ll also find it difficult to communicate God’s love in ways that will make sense to them. Next week we’ll look at how the Bible speaks to all cultures, not just ours.

If you find this content meaningful, please share it.