Do you clap your hands at church?

[KamaAina]

Poll question: Do you clap your hands at church?

You know, after a good solo or something?

It seems to be largely a Left Coast thing. My New England-raised self finds it rather undignified. Best compromise: At Mom's old church in Conn., people give their applause Deaf-style, by waving their hands back and forth!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. No.

Back when I actually went to church, I sang in the choir. I think we would have been very startled if anyone had clapped - not because of the quality of the performance (it was a very good choir) but because it wasn't intended as a "performance" but as part of the liturgy. You know, the glory of God and all that. It definitely would have been considered tacky, undignified and inappropriate. Just as you wouldn't applaud a sermon or a prayer, you wouldn't applaud a musical performance - because the purpose isn't entertainment but worship. If you're a believer you have to assume God is "applauding."

[Avalux]

2. Never!

When I did go to church as a child, Catholic services were serious, no talking, no clapping (still are I guess). As a kid, that was so hard to do! I was usually well-behaved but my brother got escorted out of the church by my Dad on more than one occasion for a little whack on his behind.

I really hated to go to church. And don't get me started about confession, and the fear it roused in me....

[Iggo]

3. The only time I ever go to church anymore is for funerals.

I'll start the applause as they wheel the guy or gal out toward the hearse.

I'm sure the black-shawl-and-rosary crowd don't like it too much.

But I honestly don't give a fuck anymore. Maybe if they'd invite me to stuff besides funerals...

[Cairycat]

4. Generally no, but when a kid

is the one performing, the grown-ups find themselves applauding. Small church, we treasure our kids.

[hedgehog]

5. Well, i don't, but other Catholics do it a lot.

[ButterflyBlood]

6. Yes.

People usually do afterwards if the worship band gives a particularly spirited performance, and there's a lot of clapping in rhythm with some of the songs they play. There's even been instances where people cheer and shout during songs, often screaming things like "I LOVE YOU JESUS!" or chanting "JESUS!" over and over like Jesus is playing for a sports team they are cheering for.

[Bake]

7. I do not like the whole applause thing in church.

If you're going to go, it ought to be "take off your shoes, Moses, you're standing on holy ground."

Not a big social hour.

Just my $0.02.

:hi:

Bake

[ButterflyBlood]

8. My church meets in an ugly old industrial building

Other tenants in the building include a furniture leaser, a catering company and a graphic design firm. So I think acting like we're in some type of inherently holy place would be a little silly.

[Bake]

9. Any place where God is present is holy ground

Whether it's a cathedral or an industrial building. Moses saw the burning bush on a mountainside, not in a fancy building.

:hi:

Bake

[bigwillq]

10. I don't go to church.

If I did, no, I probably wouldn't clap my hands at a regular mass. I have at weddings, and even some funerals after the eulogy.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

11. Never for the choir performances,

because our two anthems are meant to complement the Scripture readings, and our other singing is meant to lead the congregation.

However, in recent years, I have seen a tendency to applaud people during the announcements part of the service if they are to be congratulated for something.

[Dogtown]

12. Won't be caught dead in a church; hence,

no applause from Dogtown.

[OriginalGeek]

13. I don't go to church but

I did when I was a kid and into my late teens. We wore 3 piece suits and did not clap. I think we could get away with just a tie and shirt-sleeves for the Wednesday night service but it's been a long time so I don't remember well.

But on sundays now the route I take to visit my grandpa or mother in law or other places takes me right past one of those giant, new-fangled multi-non-denominational houses of worship - it's so big they have their own traffic cops out front acting as crossing guards for the worshipers to cross the street from the parking lot (and they better damn well be paid by the church - my taxes don't belong there) so there has been many a time when I was forced to stop and wait for a gaggle of them to get across the road. And it irritates me to no end that they are going to church dressed in cut-off jeans shorts and flip-flops and t-shirts mini-skirts and leggings just general non-churchy wear.

My wife laughs at me as I gripe about the way these people are dressed since I don't believe in any of it anyway and I certainly have no right to complain about a church I have never been and never will be a member of but I guess some things get ingrained deep into your psyche anyway and it just aggravates me. GOD DOESN'T LOVE YOU YOU ILL-DRESSED SLACKERS! PUT SOME DAMN CHURCH CLOTHES ON! MY GOD, YOUR BELT DOESN'T EVEN MATCH YOUR SHOES! MANDALS!?!?!?! ARRRGGGHHHHHHHHHH<stroke>

And I will bet you my next pay-check they are in there just clapping up a storm. Heathens.