Hugging In Church ? Is it necessary ?

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T

Tintin

Guest
#41
My youth would probably Lynch anyone who suggested removing hugs, actually the church tried that once it didn't work. This is how we hug at my youth.

[video=youtube;zpjTRguOoIw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpjTRguOoIw[/video]

I mean, in the bible they greeted with a kiss even men. Now, they are trying to ban physical contact in schools, I think that is wrong.

Hug, noun: A way of making someone feel all warm and fuzzy inside without being weird about it

"You can't wrap love in a box, but you can wrap a person in a hug."
"Everybody needs a hug. It changes your metabolism."
"Hugging closes the door to hate."

There have been so many times when I was feeling down or alone, and just a hug snapped me out of it.

Hugging is good medicine. It transfers energy, and gives the person hugged an emotional boost. You need four hugs a day for survival, eight for maintenance, and twelve for growth. A hug makes you feel good. The skin is the largest organ we have and it needs a great deal of care. A hug can cover a lot of skin and gives the message that you care. It is also a form of communication. It can say things you don't have words for. The nicest thing about a hug is that you usually can't give one without getting one.

There's a reason the world is trying to remove hugging from school. hugging is a way to show love, love belongs to God. So they try to remove it, we should be seperate from them, we should spread the love.

"Oh I love hugging. I wish I was an octopus, so I could hug 10 people at a time."

Sorry for the rant, but if you couldn't tell I'm Pro-Hugs
While I strongly agree with you that physical touch is incredibly important to a person's well-being, I find your understanding of why hugs etc. have been removed from schools, to be wrongly focused. Hugs etc. have been removed from schools because the board of education and society in general are terrified of sexual predators. They've swung too much the other way and now people will be starved for love. You can show love in many ways without being inappropriate. Soon smiles will be banned! :p
 
K

KeeganGentle

Guest
#42
Last Thursday a 12 year old student in WA, received a detention for hugging a classmate. News.com reports:

"Heidi Rome's daughter Amber was punished at the Adam Road Primary School in Bunbury for giving her friend a quick hug after the school bell rang.
Apparently that violated the school's no-hugging policy, a "blanket rule" which was brought in last year.

The WA Education Department today confirmed the school's policy. It was introduced after "excessive hugging" left some students with bruises and others feeling left out."
Here is an example of my point TinTin,

I can't verify this source, but there are many others with similar stories, a twelve year old girl hugging another does not sound like it has anything to do with sexual predators, neither is there mention of removing huggin having to do with sexual predators in the school statement.

I'm not trying to be defensive just wanted to justify why I think the way I do about it.
 
J

J-Kay-2

Guest
#43
When it gets really ridiculous is when it is little kids in grade school.

I admit I didn't read all the posts. But I do know enough about 12
yr. olds. With all that is going on immoral, it is sad when there
is a possibility of even a small sign of something wrong.

What ever happened to having a shoulder to cry on ? Now we
will have that taken away ?
 
L

lav

Guest
#44
i like hugging when it's mutual... side hugs are nice.
didn't read any responses,
i can't really think of too many hugs i've gotten i didn't like.

i won't hug someone who seems like they would rather not get a hug.
 
J

J-Kay-2

Guest
#45
Isn't it sad though we have to hold a man at arms length because he
wants to feel you against him? I might be petite but by golly my arms
can push away. Praise God for those who are pure in thought and deed.

[ side note ] Some people have physical issues and can't be hugged. I
realize if a person doesn't know NOT to hug for that reason, they really
can't be blamed. But, for example, my brother had cancer of nose and
lost it. Does have prosthesis. But in process of all that he did not attend
Church until he did get his nose.

Okay, he loses partial lower lung to cancer. Dr. operates, brother was
in process of healing, (probably about 6 weeks later ) he went back to
Church. People were glad to see him. One man did not realize what he
did would hurt my brother, and that was, patting him on back. They
had prayed him through a year of fighting cancer of nose.... then the
lung cancer. Anyway my brother hurt for several weeks in the back
area where he had surgery. He took it in stride. But.. I bet he was
sure not to allow that happened again.

So, same could be said for women who have had cancer and maybe
her chest is not healed well. So, there really are more reasons for
shaking hands, than give a hug, don't you think ? I mean we would
not go around with a sign on us saying "Do Not Hug" I just had surgery
on _______. We can have all the hugs we want in Heaven. ( HUGS) .
 
T

Tintin

Guest
#46
Here is an example of my point TinTin,

I can't verify this source, but there are many others with similar stories, a twelve year old girl hugging another does not sound like it has anything to do with sexual predators, neither is there mention of removing huggin having to do with sexual predators in the school statement.

I'm not trying to be defensive just wanted to justify why I think the way I do about it.
Bruised ribs from hugging? That's a very unusual case. I know that, at least here in Australia, it's just part of creating a safe and secure learning environment for children. But they take it to the extreme. I, as a teacher, can't even offer a hug to an injured or upset child to console them. Or receive a hug from an earnest little one. I can't pick up a child who is injured and take them to the office. I can't touch them. I'm all for looking after a child's safety but these measures are taking things too far. Those who abuse children will find a way and those who would rather die than abuse, will be penalised for it.
 
R

rainin

Guest
#47
Even a handshake is painful for me when Im having an arthritis flare up in my fingers. Some people seem to be obsessed with a firm hand shake even though my fingers look like the roots of a dead tree.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,426
6,655
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#48
Even a handshake is painful for me when Im having an arthritis flare up in my fingers. Some people seem to be obsessed with a firm hand shake even though my fingers look like the roots of a dead tree.
It can be a debilitating thing, arthritis that is.......man, can I empathize.......sometimes my knees and ankles ache so bad there is no way I can sleep. It's like walking on an abscess tooth or something....

I will pray for you Sister, pray that God will ease the pain.........

(now, on a lighter note, you could always get a T-Shirt that reads)

No Hugs - No Hand Shakes

Arthritis On Board!

:)
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,426
6,655
113
#49
Bruised ribs from hugging? That's a very unusual case. I know that, at least here in Australia, it's just part of creating a safe and secure learning environment for children. But they take it to the extreme. I, as a teacher, can't even offer a hug to an injured or upset child to console them. Or receive a hug from an earnest little one. I can't pick up a child who is injured and take them to the office. I can't touch them. I'm all for looking after a child's safety but these measures are taking things too far. Those who abuse children will find a way and those who would rather die than abuse, will be penalised for it.
I think the difference is you are speaking of adults and kids........vs.........kids and kids..........two young girls who are BFF's greeting each other with a hug is far different than a teacher hugging a young girl in my opinion.

Sometimes this Politically correct Social stuff gets way out of hand.........

That's what happens when the Government takes control of our lives.......I suppose.......
 
Sep 6, 2013
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#50
Bruised ribs from hugging? That's a very unusual case. I know that, at least here in Australia, it's just part of creating a safe and secure learning environment for children. But they take it to the extreme. I, as a teacher, can't even offer a hug to an injured or upset child to console them. Or receive a hug from an earnest little one. I can't pick up a child who is injured and take them to the office. I can't touch them. I'm all for looking after a child's safety but these measures are taking things too far. Those who abuse children will find a way and those who would rather die than abuse, will be penalised for it.
There have to be better ways to ensure safety than this... I don't see how this can even be effectively enforced? Are coaches not allowed to touch their athletes to show them proper form for wrestling, gymnastics, even T-ball? A teacher cannot touch a child who is hurt, but the school nurse can? I just can't imagine... I work with children all the time in my field, and I can't imagine having to be so paranoid. Kids run to me, hug me, want their hair ruffled... they crave attention and affection from those they love and admire. I understand the reasoning behind such rules, but I'm not sure that the precaution isn't more harmful than the alternative, or even that it is effective at all. It would be better to train adults to never be alone with children, and to watch for signs of "grooming" in other adults and report them as soon as they suspect something might be happening.

This makes me sad...
 
R

rainin

Guest
#51
It can be a debilitating thing, arthritis that is.......man, can I empathize.......sometimes my knees and ankles ache so bad there is no way I can sleep. It's like walking on an abscess tooth or something....

I will pray for you Sister, pray that God will ease the pain.........

(now, on a lighter note, you could always get a T-Shirt that reads)

No Hugs - No Hand Shakes

Arthritis On Board!

:)

I will pray for your pain to be eased as well! I have learned to live with the constant ache....it's the shooting pains that really get me. Sometimes it goes from my fingers to my elbows like a bolt of lightning. My knees and hips bother me when the weather changes but it's my fingers that give me fits 24/7. Love the t-shirt idea!!
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,426
6,655
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#52
There have to be better ways to ensure safety than this... I don't see how this can even be effectively enforced? Are coaches not allowed to touch their athletes to show them proper form for wrestling, gymnastics, even T-ball? A teacher cannot touch a child who is hurt, but the school nurse can? I just can't imagine... I work with children all the time in my field, and I can't imagine having to be so paranoid. Kids run to me, hug me, want their hair ruffled... they crave attention and affection from those they love and admire. I understand the reasoning behind such rules, but I'm not sure that the precaution isn't more harmful than the alternative, or even that it is effective at all. It would be better to train adults to never be alone with children, and to watch for signs of "grooming" in other adults and report them as soon as they suspect something might be happening.

This makes me sad...
You are right about the blanket rule of no touching is more harmful than the loving comfort of a caring adult. In my opinion, when they forced God out of the class room, they caused this downward spiral of immorality to flourish within the class room. When God and personal responsibility were replaced with "it takes a village" and Political correctness, our children were the first to suffer, and I believe the effects of such can already be seen in society.
 

Huckleberry

Senior Member
Aug 25, 2013
1,698
96
48
#53
Should men and women hug during 'greet' the one
beside you in Church? How do you feel ? Do you
feel uncomfortable? Have you had any unpleasant
experience from this? There was a time when we
extended our hand to the men. Hugging too tight is
very uncomfortable. Yes, there are men like that.
I still feel in any situation we should stay at arms
length. Some can find themselves in a compromising
situation. What are your thoughts ?
A man should not front-to-front embrace any woman who is not his wife.
There are a few of the older ladies at our church who I will occasionally stand beside
them and extend my arm around their shoulders, basically a one-armed side-hug.
I wouldn't do it if I thought it made them uncomfortable.

As for front-to-front hugging all the pretty ladies in the congregation, what man wouldn't want to ?
A man who is dead or queer, that's what man.

I have to wonder about a woman who wants to run up
press her breasts against a man who isn't her husband.
Especially if that man is married.

And a man, married or otherwise, who initiates a hug with any woman who is not his wife,
is disrespecting, and dare I say violating, that woman (not to mention his wife, if he has one),
and ought to keep his grubby paws off her. She ain't your wife? Don't touch!

The Church at Corinth had a problem with the men and women touching
each other inappropriately. Paul addressed it in I Corinthians, chapter seven.
 
Sep 6, 2013
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#54
A front facing hug doesn't have to be (and shouldn't be) a full body-pressing hug. This is the correct way to hug someone in church:

a-frame-hug1.png

There is NO breast pressing involved.
 

Huckleberry

Senior Member
Aug 25, 2013
1,698
96
48
#55
A front facing hug doesn't have to be (and shouldn't be) a full body-pressing hug. This is the correct way to hug someone in church:

View attachment 63740

There is NO breast pressing involved.
Yeah, that doesn't seem inappropriate.
However, I've never seen people hug like that.
I've had women hug me before I could react, in church and out.
Wasn't ever like in that picture.
Just to be on the safe side, I'll stick with handshakes.
Except for the few seventy or eighty-something widows in our church.
I'll continue to give them the occasional one-armed-side-hug.
 
Sep 6, 2013
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#57
Hey, Grace! Where did you find that picture of me?
I found that while stalking you on Google. ;)

Those two may look a little more awkward than normal Appropriate Huggers, but the gist of it is that you hug with your arms, maybe a head to a shoulder, etc, but NOT body-to-body. I can't remember ever hugging anyone in church where our lower bodies (like, below the shoulder) actually smooshed together.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,426
6,655
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#58
Huckleberry said:

The Church at Corinth had a problem with the men and women touching
each other inappropriately. Paul addressed it in I Corinthians, chapter seven.

well, yeah, Huck, but the church at Corinth had for years worshiped at the Temple of 1,000 Prostitutes.......there was a REASON WHY Paul had so much trouble with the church at Corinth........and their acceptance/practice of pagan worship was the main one........

I don't think the Church today can be compared to the church/people of Corinth, or at least I sure hope not.

 
J

JakeTheHawk

Guest
#59
Is it necessary? No. Is it really a problem though? Still, no.
 
J

J-Kay-2

Guest
#60
Bruised ribs from hugging? That's a very unusual case. I know that, at least here in Australia, it's just part of creating a safe and secure learning environment for children. But they take it to the extreme. I, as a teacher, can't even offer a hug to an injured or upset child to console them. Or receive a hug from an earnest little one. I can't pick up a child who is injured and take them to the office. I can't touch them. I'm all for looking after a child's safety but these measures are taking things too far. Those who abuse children will find a way and those who would rather die than abuse, will be penalised for it.

God bless you in your effort to love your children. I guess a friendly smile will have
to suffice. I agree it is sad you can't touch a child on the shoulder to show them a
"you are doing a good job" type touch. I pray your class will always remember you
as that nice... teacher... Mr........ ~