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M*W: Just curious... Where did the clasping of hands in christian prayer begin and what is its significance?
M*W: Just curious... Where did the clasping of hands in christian prayer begin and what is its significance?
The clasping of hands in christian prayer
- Thread starter Medicine*Woman
- Start date
M*W stop leading a crusade against the misguided christians, yeah they hurt you and you lost your faith don't take it out on all the remaining followers of Isa. Yeah they follow some false teachings but they are not all your persnal punching bags.
If you want to take your beef out with a believer of god then here i am take all your best shots and lets engage in philosophical debates.
Have you ever considered that you found falsehood in christianity because some parts of it are actualy false and have been corrupted and changed over the years?. ther eare other paths you know, reconsider your crusade because that's what your on don't you even see it?
You have been obsessed with fighting the christians with your words now for 7 years since i have known you. please just stop picking on the christians they are not all bad people or your cannon fodder.
What problems do you have with the gospels and old test? tell me your issues witht hem and we can discuss it and i can clear up any falsehood you have come to know.
I know you seem to be asking innocent questions but i fear your agenda is not so innocent like before.
Peace
If you want to take your beef out with a believer of god then here i am take all your best shots and lets engage in philosophical debates.
Have you ever considered that you found falsehood in christianity because some parts of it are actualy false and have been corrupted and changed over the years?. ther eare other paths you know, reconsider your crusade because that's what your on don't you even see it?
You have been obsessed with fighting the christians with your words now for 7 years since i have known you. please just stop picking on the christians they are not all bad people or your cannon fodder.
What problems do you have with the gospels and old test? tell me your issues witht hem and we can discuss it and i can clear up any falsehood you have come to know.
I know you seem to be asking innocent questions but i fear your agenda is not so innocent like before.
Peace
The physical position for Western Christian prayer that is thought of as typical today—kneeling, with hands clasped—originates from the commendation ceremony. Before this time, European Christians prayed in the orans, which is the Latin, or "praying" position that people had used in antiquity: standing, with hands outstretched, a gesture still used today in many Christian rituals.
A commendation ceremony (commendatio) is a formal ceremony that evolved during the Early Medieval period to create a bond between a lord and his fighting man, called his vassal (Latin vassus) (wikipedia)
A commendation ceremony (commendatio) is a formal ceremony that evolved during the Early Medieval period to create a bond between a lord and his fighting man, called his vassal (Latin vassus) (wikipedia)
I am a Christian and i never clasp my hands when i pray.
It is a catholic thing adopted from the east.
Probably originated in Buddhism.
All Praise The Ancient Of Days
That's not even close to the actual origin.
It came from a practice that was common all across Europe in ancient times. When one asked a favor of a lord or land owner, it was automatically used as a sign of respect for one of a "higher class." It was an acknowledgment of one's own position is respect to the one being addressed - just as was kneeling.
Enmos
Valued Senior Member
Nonsense. Christians do claps hands.
There is definitely something strange about your post, Adstar. It seems like an opportunity to use that old saw: "Catholics are Christians too, last time I checked"*.
I just can't quite figure out how to be witty about it. (No surprise there of course
)*And yes, I am aware that there is some controversy over this assertion, but I'm going with Wiki's interpretation.
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M*W: When I was a catholic christian, I saw some people that clasped their hands, but for the most part, I recall that many didn't nor bowed their heads. Also, many kept their eyes open during prayer (obviously, I did, that's how I know this). The ones who didn't observe these gestures were very devout. Personally, I don't see the importance of performing these gestures.
So???? You've made it clear that you place no value on religion - so why are you complaining, commenting or even bringing up various aspects of how other individuals see or express it. Some kind of weird S&M trip you're on??
I think the medieval origin of hand-clasping is probably accurate. In the east, in Islam for instance, people pray with their hands outstretched.
Perhaps the latter is closer to the original practice of Christians, since they were from the same cultural region.
Like the modern form of saluting in the military, showing or clasping your hands together is basically a form of communication--you're telling your 'opponent' that you don't present a threat. It's a form of supplication or appeasement, the opposite of a threatening posture.
If you prayed by shaking your fist and yelling in a threatening way, would you have the same expectation?
Perhaps the latter is closer to the original practice of Christians, since they were from the same cultural region.
Like the modern form of saluting in the military, showing or clasping your hands together is basically a form of communication--you're telling your 'opponent' that you don't present a threat. It's a form of supplication or appeasement, the opposite of a threatening posture.
If you prayed by shaking your fist and yelling in a threatening way, would you have the same expectation?
Precisely!
In addition, it's also a physical acknowledgment that "you are greater than me" and/or "have more power or authority." Just as an ancient medieval peasant would do when approaching his landowner lord.*************
M*W: I was just curious about the tradition. It has nothing to do with what I believe or don't believe or why.
Well it might have arrived in Europe many centuries before Christianity but there is NO call in the bible for people to clasp hands in prayer. I still believe i came from the east. It was a pagan tradition grafted into the catholic church, she sucked up many pagan traditions and called them her own. She played the harlot with a lot of pagan customs.
All Praise The Ancient Of Days
There is definitely something strange about your post, Adstar. It seems like an opportunity to use that old saw: "Catholics are Christians too, last time I checked"*.
I just can't quite figure out how to be witty about it. (No surprise there of course
*And yes, I am aware that there is some controversy over this assertion, but I'm going with Wiki's interpretation.
Oh i know the catholic church claims to be a Christian and i don't doubt you will find many sources making the claim also. But i do not believe it is Christian.
That should be obvious.
All Praise The Ancient Of Days
Well thats Good Medicine*Woman, i agree with you. There is no importance in performing these gestures.
All Praise The Ancient Of Days
Archangelmg
Registered Member
Clasping of hands was a significant motion in early church. To the Jews with revelation of Jesus Christ used alot of imagery and it symbolised Divine connection. It was the shape representation of an arc where the glory came through the centre and produced life. Like the pelvis of a woman shows an arc and at the scientific centre point where childbirth is made of x and y chromosome life hits directly in the centre and this is where the human heart forms at the centre point of cell multiplication. So in prayer it symbolised heaven touching earth through the temple moot made with hands and life is drawn. This is the research I found and pastor Ian Clayton teaches on this aspect. It is by face clasping is used just like lifting of holy hands and praise of lips which is known as bulls of the lips as sacrifice that is living.