Have your arm relaxing on pew inside the church?

[water]

Hands folded on your lap could lead to sexual perversion or something. Have to keep them isolated.

Are you guessing or that is the reason you were told to do.
I was told to have each hand on each lap and it has nothing to do with sexual perversion.

 

[chicago]

The thing is in many similar threads such as this, some people have assumed that just because someone raised a question, he/she must be going to mass and look for things wrong in other person. It is not the main issue. It is dead wrong and does not make this forum as it is intended to be. We are here to discuss whether it is something in some rules of the Church or not.

The reality is that in most cases people post some question of concern precisely because of something they saw at Church which disturbed them.

When I posted this thread, I know it is a little thing, and I can attend mass with people having their arms like that. In fact, I’ve been to daily mass and have seen this quite often:

** – Those people who do it are no one other than those who come up and read the Readings.
– an adult serving as the altar service would sit next to the priest and had his feet raised up so he could check his own shoes.
– etc …**
**
Does one really need to look for this to see…NO! it is right in front of the whole church. Because of this, my thread had been created – be aware of the surrounding. You are not alone!**

In other words, it’s the typical story here. You’re posting because of something you saw at Church which disturbed you.

Though your point is well taken.

 

[chicago]

Are you guessing or that is the reason you were told to do.
I was told to have each hand on each lap and it has nothing to do with sexual perversion.

I’m satirizing the insanity of extremes which some people go to insisting upon particular postures. Though I think I actually HAVE heard that sort of reasoning about hands on the lap before.

Obviously, that wasn’t the reason the priest told us to employ the many particular positions which we were instructed in. It is just that they are good for healthy posture, centering the body for prayer, and looking sharp in front of the public. Honestly, I’d have no problem with people being taught such things before they go up to sit/stand/whatever in front of other people. In fact, such a course of instruction could probably do a lot of good.

 

[water]

In other words, it’s the typical story here. You’re posting because of something you saw at Church which disturbed you.

Though your point is well taken.

You may be right that it disturbed me; it is because I was thinking about how those people can be a good examples for others to follow - their children, their friends, those non-Catholics who happen to attend Mass…etc …

 

[water]

I’m satirizing the insanity of extremes which some people go to insisting upon particular postures.

I am not so sure if it is needed to be said if it is untrue.

 

[chicago]

I am not so sure if it is needed to be said if it is untrue.

Satire is a legitimate form of expressing truth. Everything must not be presented “matter of fact” absent irony or humor.

 

[thechrismyster]

this thread makes me embarrassed to be a Catholic.

 

[chicago]

When our Bishop makes a pronouncement about such things, my parish takes great care to make sure that all of us know about it. They publish the Bishop’s admonition in the Church bulletin and sometimes they will send out a letter to all parishioners.

It sounds like you have an extraordinary parish and diocese. However, this is probably not the norm for most.

Also, those who have been around for awhile (or forever) tend to take even some priestly pronouncements with a grain of salt as we understand that often these aren’t formal directives on Church doctrine and teaching, but personal initiative and opinion of either the priests or some lay person who likes to justify everything with “Father says” or “The Bishop wants” (when the priest or bishop may not even know about the matter). There’s just too much wiggle room for manipulations to trust whatever is “Given from above” entirely unchallenged.

Further, while it is good to ask for formal documentation and references, at times there are legitimate ideas and positions put forth which may not be a part of some “official” teaching. The concept which was touched upon earlier on the thread as to Christology, for example, would be one such matter. It’s a matter of theological discussion which we are free to explore on our own and make arguments or conclusions about without having some pronoucement about every detail of it’s application to this or that.

I don’t think I should rely on fellow parishioners to tell me the “correct” behavior because they don’t have the teaching authority of the clergy. I am certainly interested in the opinions of my fellow Catholic Christians, but I would never take their word as my authority.

Sometimes laypeople know better than the clergy. Just because the ordained have juridical authority doesn’t mean that they are infallibly right (or even well informed) in every action or direction and teaching which they might offer.

This Forum is a useful place to get opinions about certain behaviors, but I think that we need to make sure that any pronouncements of right vs. wrong behavior have links to documents that are approved by the Church, e.g., the Bible, the Catechism.

Some matters are just reasonable argumentation. Not every matter in the Church is one of following a defined rule which can be referenced.

And even then, before I changed any of my “behaviors,” I would talk to my priest first and ask him for direction.

This is a wise route, especially considering your personal circumstances.

 

[water]

Satire is a legitimate form of expressing truth. Everything must not be presented “matter of fact” absent irony or humor.

and when truth is spoken, people get offended; humor disappears.
anyhow, this thread has gone far beyond its purpose. I should give it a rest.

 

[estesbob]

I’m satirizing the insanity of extremes which some people go to insisting upon particular postures. Though I think I actually HAVE heard that sort of reasoning about hands on the lap before.

.

People who obsess over others postures generally have no snese of humor and no appreciation of satire. I have to give short talk on finances at Mass tomorrow and think I am going to make it a point to slouch at the Ambo so people can complain about that as well as a Lay person “preaching”.