Re: [OT] Question for ASC Judaism scholars...

Bart Goddard <goddardbe@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Mickey <Mickey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
news:g0cu84dako7jgk564mr7tr27q6aoitf2dm@xxxxxxx:

What Misc said. You are simply respecting their place of worship by
not "making a scene". You are allowing them the same freedom you have,
that is, to exercise their beliefs.

Me not bowing doesn't infringe on their freedom. It's just
the opposite: They insisting I bow infringes on mine.


It's not a question of being respectful to their God, it's a question
of being respectful to the people around you.

I'm happy to leave, but one point I keep coming back to:
If I leave because you can't stand that I won't bow, then
don't get all pissy because I didn't attend the Bar Mitzvah.
_IF_ you want me there, then I have some ground rules.

B.

It's a question of elementary politeness. The motives for being in
someone else's church was never brought up, and that would be the crux
of the issue.

If you accepted an invitation to someone else's place of worship,
knowing in advance that you would be expected to bow your head, and
went anyway, then your failure to do so would be inexcusably rude, no
matter how pious your objections.

If it came as a surprise, that would be a little different. But to
paraphrase Heinlien, the number one rule of civilized behavior is when
you go into a man's house, you accept his rules of behavior. If you're
asked to remove your shoes, do so. If you're asked to bow your head in
a moment of silence, do it. Or find an excuse to leave.

When I have visited Jewish temples, I wore a yarmulke, and did what
the people around me did. It didn't make me Jewish, in there eyes or
in mine. The same in Catholic churches, Presbyterian churches, etc. I
was polite and respectful. I went through the motions, and I did so
without the fear that God would think that I was converting.

In fact, I think God would approve, because I was putting the needs
and feelings of others ahead of my own.
.

Relevant Pages