Is it Disrespectful?

[GoodwellOK]

I’m the caretaker at my the Methodist Student Center where I attend college. As caretaker, I’m a member of the Board of Directors and I get to help plan worship. Today, prior to worship, the song leader announced that he was going to have everyone facing AWAY from the altar and the cross. We use a projector screen to put up song lyrics so everyone can sing along and the song leader felt the back wall facing away from the cross would be the best place for this.

My question is this: is it disrespectful to face away from the cross and the altar during a worship setting? As a Catholic, I know we would never do this during mass… I chose not to participate in worship tonight but I’m having a hard time coming up with the words to explain why. If this is truly as disrespectful as I think it is, how do I explain this to them so it won’t happen again?

 

[JPUSC]

Well, they have no tabernacle, so what’s the big dealio?

 

[GoodwellOK]

The problem is that they’re turning their backs on the most important symbol of our entire faith: the cross. WIthout the cross, we would have no chance of salvation. It’s fundamental to the beliefs of every Christian, whether Catholic or Protestant. Worship must be centered on God, and what better reminder of God’s love for us could there ever be than a crucifix or cross? It seems to me that, by turning their backs on the cross, the symbol of God’s ultimate sacrifice, they are symbolically turning their backs on God’s ultimate sacrifice.

All I know is that I felt extremely uncomfortable when I heard this was going to happen, and I felt like I needed to leave the chapel right away. After that my first response was to go to my room and pray. While praying, I felt an incredible sorrow come over me. I don’t think that I should have any part in that worship service. Not because it isn’t Catholic but because of the symbolism involved and the spiritual response that it evoked within me.

 

[LilyM]

Are you saying we can never turn our back on a cross? Where did you get this notion?

One church I attend has a very handsome life-size crucifix at the rear of the church as well as the crucifix in the sanctuary. Perforce to face the altar, the congregation has to turn its backs on the crucifix at the rear.

Do you suggest that we turn to the side wall in our worship so as never to turn our backs on either of them?

 

[Tsuwano]

I’m the caretaker at my the Methodist Student Center where I attend college. As caretaker, I’m a member of the Board of Directors and I get to help plan worship. Today, prior to worship, the song leader announced that he was going to have everyone facing AWAY from the altar and the cross. We use a projector screen to put up song lyrics so everyone can sing along and the song leader felt the back wall facing away from the cross would be the best place for this.

My question is this: is it disrespectful to face away from the cross and the altar during a worship setting? As a Catholic, I know we would never do this during mass… I chose not to participate in worship tonight but I’m having a hard time coming up with the words to explain why. If this is truly as disrespectful as I think it is, how do I explain this to them so it won’t happen again?

It doesn’t appear that there is an intent to be disrespectful on the part of the song leader, so I would avoid using language that would make the person defensive or feel accused of something he has no intention of being. Still, I think it would be appropriate to point out that turning your back from the altar during a worship service, especially since the altar is the center point of the congregation’s focus, is poor liturgical practice and should be avoided. There are times during certain Catholic prayer services, the Stations of the Cross for example, when it is necessary for some to face away from the altar and focus their attention elsewhere, but in this case the altar is not the center point of the service; the particular station of the cross is. It is not disrespectful for worshippers to turn their backs to the altar and cross at this time. Of course, if you feel uncomfortable with the service and if you are unable to create a prayerful attitude during the service, then perhaps it is best for you to sit this particular service out. An honest explanation of your feelings to those involved, without being judgmental about it, might help.

 

[prodigalson12]

yeah, a little too rigid there for predisposed assumptions. I look to what is there as something to remind us, in my mind it’s still there regardless if my eyes are shut or not, so same difference here I guess. If they were walking on something, "such as a cross built into the carpet or floor tiling, you could also take that into an unnecessary scrutiny. The same should apply here, the object itself has little substance, the blessings and meanings contrived from it do.