Well, in that case, if we’re being that literal, so would shaking hands. And if it were a girl or woman’s back, I’d feel the same way. Laying of hands on someone’s back is not remotely sexual in nature. Regardless, i still say if it upsets someone so much, they should politely explain to this woman after mass that they don’t like to be touched in church. No reason to be rude about it, since the person’s intent was only kindness.
Well, in that case, if we’re being that literal, so would shaking hands. And if it were a girl or woman’s back, I’d feel the same way. Laying of hands on someone’s back is not remotely sexual in nature. Regardless, i still say if it upsets someone so much, they should politely explain to this woman after mass that they don’t like to be touched in church. No reason to be rude about it, since the person’s intent was only kindness.
Loneliness and solitude are two VERY, VERY different things.
You say this as if the woman is intentionally being rude. Since she obviously wasn’t, wouldn’ the best course of action be to simply (kindly) explain to her that you (or whoever this happens to) doesn’t appreciate it? You say, “This goes beyond holding hands”, but I have to remind you that’s your opinion. Although I would never choose to “lay hands” on someone as a form of prayer, I would never be offended if someone did. So, while it may seem obvious to you, it isn’t necessarily to others.
Okay. Obviously, if it bothers him so much, and he felt robbed of his dignity because she prayed over him by touching his back, then he should by all means say something. My only point was that he should do so kindly, as she only meant it to be a lovely gesture. Is that what you’re arguing? That he doesn’t have to talk kindly to her about this? He should be rude? I guess I don’t see what you are debating me on.
What if she (your daughter) doesn’t like to hug and her friend (who doesn’t know this about her) gives her a hug. Did she rob her of her dignity? Wouldn’t the prudent thing for your daughter to do be to tell her kindly that she isn’t a “touchy feely” or “huggy” kind of person?
I think the issue is that laying hands on someone in prayer is not done w/o the permission of the one being touched.
Did it bother you a great deal? If so, I would mention it to her should it happen again. Because if you don’t let her know you don’t like being touched, and you wanted the solitude, she will likely do it again. I’m sure she feels she was being kind and good.
Maybe so, but is that any reason to laugh at her? Quite to the contrary, even though she grossly misunderstood your intentions in being alone, were I you I would feel an enormous amount of affection for a woman who dared to console me when it looked like I needed consoling.
Just as my daughter would have been denied the dignity of having a say as to who touches her body.
Did Jesus have a choice when he was touched by a woman he had never met walking down the street?
- although, she probably won’t be so inclined to put her hand on you.We’re called to live very much as Jesus did, and Jesus didn’t seem to concerned about a reverent touch. Why should we?
I see no reason not to give her the benefit of the doubt. Why should we assume she had malicious intent?
LOL OK now this was funny
