Christianity

[Rharris9585]

I've just turned on the TV and seen the Easter celebrations. Why do Christians always hold the palms of their hands aloft when singing about Jesus, etc?

[Cetti]

Hi Rharris, Have you seen a stadium full of football supporters do the very same thing when a goal is scored? Well, it's the same thing - joy!!

Not every Christian does this and there's no rule that says you must but it's also akin to a small child raising up its arms to Father and praising God. It's not a group thing either..your arm (or arms) can shoot up whether in a group or on your own. I hope this makes sense as I've never tried to explain this before...it just happens without you being aware of it!

[spudqueen]

Sorry Cetti - but 'it just happens without you being aware of it' ??? People MUST be aware of it as it never used to happen in Churches. I went to Church every Sunday during the 60's and 70's and it NEVER happened then!

[Cetti]

It didn't happen in the churches I attended either spudqueen, but that was because they were not evangelical, but the stiff and starchy kind of places where a cough or sneeze had the matrons glaring at you, babies banned in cased they cried....you know, that sort of place. It is totally scriptural. You only have to read the story of King David in the OT to know that it's far from new, although I've yet to see anyone dance in their underclothes as he did. Might be interesting though!

[Clanad]

... And, spudqueen, what has happened to those churches since? Adding to cetti's excellent answer is the observation that the 'mainline' traditional churches frowned (and still do, in my experience) on joy, and any spontananiety led by the Holy Spirit. When a knowledge of what God, through Yeshua has done for you a joy that "passes all understanding" can easily come upon you. Additionally, the uplifted hands are a sign of total surrender, also joy in itself.
Throughout the world, and you can witness this yourself in the U.K., church membership and active, involved support for the "church" has dropped steadily for years. However, in third world countries, the experiential 'churches' are growing with leaps and bounds. In Africa, people by the tens of thousands, walk for days just to attend a service.
Here in the U.S., the 'legacy' churches are in decline but Spirit led bodies often number in the thousands of members. One we attend whenever possible has a membership of over 30,000...

[Jennykins]

The "hand thing" is how you feel and if it is apart of your culture in many Religions.. And for claironst... seeing is not believing, believing is seeing... There is no reason to be harsh about Religion, out of 6 billion people only 1 billion have no Religion... And for the 1 billion, thats there choice just like its ours. HAPPY EASTER AND GOD BLESS!!

Have a great day everybody!!!!

[Clanad]

Gee, 10ClarionSt, by your definition I guess we should concede electricity, wind, xrays, gamma rays, solar winds, gravity, centrifugal force, black holes, sound, and other such phenomena don't exist... unique concept...

[Jennykins]

hahah Clanad, I'm sure you could have kept going eh? lol good job

[dancealot13]

10Clarionst- Aint is not a word. Jesus did exist and there is proof he was a real man,..start reading my dear. And the best one af all.."Where is God"??

Look at a females ability to bare children, the gift of creation, falling in love, dreaming at night, the sky, the trees, the ocean, space and planets, rain and snow. Have you ever seen the sun set or rise? Life is a gift from God, Life is the proof that God exists. If you can't see that there is a God......then my heart breakes for you. You are missing out on so much beauty.

[Jennykins]

wow dancealot.. your answer make's me want to give you a hug and a big smile..nice answer!

[dancealot13]

Thanks for the hug Jennykins!!! ;)

[dancealot13]

Hi Rharris9585- I just wanted to answer your question. It is an ancient understanding that there are charkara's or parts on your body where the soul can enter and exit. Also used for God or the universe to give guidance. So I think lifting of the hands during a religios ceremony stems from that idea. There are charkara's in the palm of our hands, the crown of our head, the solar plexis is between your breasts, the bottom of your feet, and also the bottom of the pelvic bone. So lifting your hands would allow guidance or "positive energy" to flow into your hands charkaras.

Sounds a bit crazy, but it's an interesting concept.

[Rharris9585]

Thanks for your multitude of answers :o)