At Church if you refuse a holy man-hug and kiss does that make you less Christian?
- Thread starter MahogonySnail
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Ro 16:16Salute one another with an HOLY KISS. The churches of Christ salute you.1co 16:20All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an HOLY KISS.2co 13:12Greet one another with an HOLY KISS.1th 5:26Greet all the brethren with an HOLY KISS.
even a kiss can be given for the wrong reason, but if Our hearts are cleared, we will see nothing wrong with it , just as fornafication is wrong but Heb 13:4Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed UNDEFILED: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
even a kiss can be given for the wrong reason, but if Our hearts are cleared, we will see nothing wrong with it , just as fornafication is wrong but Heb 13:4Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed UNDEFILED: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
I am alarmed by stranger hugs. dont know why... I like sharp think everytime someone shakes my hand where has that hand been. the secretary at my sons school gave me a hug yesterday & told me they are praying for my son... I'm not used to people who arent real close to me hugging me. My doctor always shakes my hand... THAT REALLY freaks me out.
M
I'm not a touchy-feely kind of chap so I'm never overly enthralled when someone wants to cuddle or kiss me, but I've never been bothered from a hygine point of view. I don't mind sharing the cup of wine with all the old people in my parish during Holy Communion. Heck, my brother uses my toothbrush when he's misplaced his and it doesn't bother me.
C
H
I like my personal space...I only let my husband enter my personal space...and even then, it's usually me who initiates hugs and kisses. It REALLY wierds me out when people try to hug or kiss me. To me, it's far too personal, and far too unhealthy when a simple wave, and a how-do-you-do would work just fine! I'm also really jittery, something I tried to gain focus on with martial arts, unfortunately, now if someone suprises me with a hug or grabbing my arm or something, I've got 7 years of shorin ryu in my muslce memory. My good friends know better than to touch me if I don't invite it. Besides, I live next door to mexico, swine flu is the new black around here.
S
I don't think we should feel obliged to hug/kiss anyone if it makes us uncomfortable. Boundaries, people. If I know you well, a hug is an appropriate way to say hello. A kiss, to me, is far more intimate and not to be given as freely as a hug. For everyone else, you can have a handshake. There are many great ways of expressing our hospitality and love that don't have to involve hugs and kisses at first contact.
I am a big fan of what I like to call the "Monk Hug." Basically, you place your hands on the sides of someone's shoulders and sort of lean in so that the side of your head moves toward the other person's right shoulder, and they do they same. I call it the Monk Hug, because that's basically the same way I've always been hugged by monks and seen monks hug others. I think it comes from the old monastic greeting where monks would embrace and touch their tonsure to the other's tonsure. It's just as personal as a normal hug but not as awkward, and can be done much more quickly. I like monk hugs
I am a big fan of what I like to call the "Monk Hug." Basically, you place your hands on the sides of someone's shoulders and sort of lean in so that the side of your head moves toward the other person's right shoulder, and they do they same. I call it the Monk Hug, because that's basically the same way I've always been hugged by monks and seen monks hug others. I think it comes from the old monastic greeting where monks would embrace and touch their tonsure to the other's tonsure. It's just as personal as a normal hug but not as awkward, and can be done much more quickly. I like monk hugs
S
There are (5) times that we are commanded in the scripture to greet or salute one another with a holy kiss / Rom 16:16, 1Cor 16:20, 2Cor 12:12, 1Thes 5:26, 1Pt 5:14. The holy kiss represents acceptance or welcome to the party saluted. Both salute and greet are the same Greek word. The expression 'holy kiss' has a multiple meaning that includes embrace, a handshake (right hand of fellowship / Gal 2:9), a glance (not a gaze), verbal gesture or a wave. There is an acknowledgment made in saluting the brethren with a holy kiss. If you feel uncomfortable embracing another, then use one of the others to acknowledge your brother or sister in Christ. To not acknowledge them or greet them is a form of rejection. There are certain conditions that have to be met before you can reject a brother who has been admonished first / 2Thes 3:15, Titus 3:7-11.
If you are that sensitive about germs I suggest you wear gloves or carry some hand sanitizer with you and use it discretely as to not offend. I wonder how many mother's kiss their baby's hurt finger or hand never considering or caring where that hand has been. We are told to entertain (exercise hospitality) strangers not greet them with a holy kiss / Heb 13:2. Most doctors wear latex gloves and have to by law. They also use hand sanitizers as a frequent practice. This does not mean that we don't exercise caution when there is an epidemic. Just food for thought, instead of worrying about the hygiene of another or where their hand has been, maybe you should be concerned more where their mind and heart has been and exercise yourself with inward discernment instead of outward observation. The next time someone offers you the right hand of fellowship and you are concerned about germs, bacteria or viruses, don't stick your finger in your mouth or rub your eyes and go wash your hands.
There is a way to greet the brethren with a holy kiss without getting all freaked out. I would also suggest that you don't acquaint yourself with the homeless or those that are destitute and on the street. You might have to go back to the law and either throw away or have your clothes burned. And if I were you, stay away from dead bodies and that includes funeral homes. It would probably be more sanitary to have your believing loved ones cremated, but that might just violate the scriptures and the importance of our bones being buried.
If you are that sensitive about germs I suggest you wear gloves or carry some hand sanitizer with you and use it discretely as to not offend. I wonder how many mother's kiss their baby's hurt finger or hand never considering or caring where that hand has been. We are told to entertain (exercise hospitality) strangers not greet them with a holy kiss / Heb 13:2. Most doctors wear latex gloves and have to by law. They also use hand sanitizers as a frequent practice. This does not mean that we don't exercise caution when there is an epidemic. Just food for thought, instead of worrying about the hygiene of another or where their hand has been, maybe you should be concerned more where their mind and heart has been and exercise yourself with inward discernment instead of outward observation. The next time someone offers you the right hand of fellowship and you are concerned about germs, bacteria or viruses, don't stick your finger in your mouth or rub your eyes and go wash your hands.
There is a way to greet the brethren with a holy kiss without getting all freaked out. I would also suggest that you don't acquaint yourself with the homeless or those that are destitute and on the street. You might have to go back to the law and either throw away or have your clothes burned. And if I were you, stay away from dead bodies and that includes funeral homes. It would probably be more sanitary to have your believing loved ones cremated, but that might just violate the scriptures and the importance of our bones being buried.
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