Catholics are Touchie-Feelie. Joe Biden is Catholic

[McCamy Taylor]

If you have never been to a Catholic mass, you probably do not know that part of the proceedings involve blatant, deliberate bodily contact with strangers.

http://catholicphilly.com/2019/01/catholic-spirituality/beyond-a-handshake-the-profound-nature-of-the-sign-of-peace/

The sign of peace has its liturgical and spiritual roots in Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness prior to offering gifts on the altar (Mt 5:23-24). That is, if someone had a grievance against his brother, he should first “be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

As Christian worship evolved, the gesture of a “kiss of peace” was a way to unite the community gathered in love and reconciliation. Without being at peace, the community and its members could not fully reflect or live the peace and love of Christ in Eucharist.

The “kiss of peace” took on various forms as liturgy developed. Sometimes it involved clergy and congregation, and sometimes only clergy. Today, we know this part of the Mass, placed just after the Lord’s Prayer and a brief invitation by the priest (“Let us offer each other the sign of peace.”), as the sign of peace.

https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/soul-seeing/hugs-are-outward-sign-inward-grace

Jesus hugged children, embraced cripples and kissed lepers. St. Paul asked Christians to “greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss” (1 Thessalonians 5:26.) A holy kiss is synonymous with a hug today: a warm, friendly, respectful gesture of unity and loving regard. Paul repeats the suggestion to four other communities, as does Peter when he asks his followers to “greet each other with a kiss of Christian love” (1 Peter 5:14). The kiss of peace at Mass comes from this ancient tradition.

Ok, go on and make the pedo jokes. But remember that cultural confusion is a very real thing. American Amanda Knox was thrown into Italian jail for murder because she did not weep hysterically in public when her roommate died. How many folks have had their feelings hurt because someone from a "We never touch!" culture refused an offered hug?

[nycbos]

1. I don't know if "Catholics are Touchie-Feelie"...

Is the best defense give what we know about the church.

[guillaumeb]

2. If Biden had been in a church, during a Mass,

I would agree.

[Squinch]

3. What the everloving fuck. Smh.

[dflprincess]

4. The "sign of peace" didn't start until the late 60s maybe early 70s

The church Biden was was indoctrinated into as a child (me too) did not do "touchy feely" at Mass. I've met very few people my age who have ever really warmed to the "sign of peace" thing (which generally means a limp handshake and a spoken "Peace be with you&quot .

[Retrograde]

14. Later than that, I think

I left the Church c. 1970, and it was not a practice then. I don't remember it at weddings I attended in the 70s. It was definitely around by 1990, though. I don't like it: it's too forced touchy-feely and non-spontaneous for me, an awkward moment in a highly orchestrated ritual.

[Demit]

5. Oh for heaven's sake. Are you making an April Fools joke?

Catholics vary in how they interact with people in their social lives just like everyone else. Kiss of Peace at Mass notwithstanding.

[JenniferJuniper]

6. The jokes just write themselves here

I can't even.

[monmouth4]

7. Dumbest thing I've read today...LOL. n/t

[Cousin Dupree]

8. I'm not Catholic but I ve been to many masses.

I find Catholics very uncomfortable giving the sign of peace. It’s very awkward for them. There is no warmth at all during a mass. It’s the opposite of touchie-feelie. Next!

[50 Shades Of Blue]

9. As a very ex-Catholic that was always my take on it. Personally I hated it!

[Socal31]

10. Wow.

Can't believe what I've been reading

[Autumn]

11. No they are not. I've done the Peace be with you handshake but hugs and kisses?

If I'm next to a family member a hug. But to another person, a stranger in the pew in front or back of my pew? No, never. And that was not done when we were young. Don't believe everything you read.

[pnwmom]

12. That's false. Irish Catholics are known for NOT being touchy feely. Biden is more

the exception than the rule.

[pnwmom]

13. That "blatant, deliberate contact" during Mass is a HANDSHAKE. nt

[Cuthbert Allgood]

15. That's a pretty broad brush

I was raised in a very strict Catholic family and went to a Catholic seminary for 3 years. To say Catholics are "touchy-feely" is not as on-point as you would like to make it.