Silly question for Christians?

Question

I was wondering if anyone else ever heard of this?

Not too long ago, a woman in my church pulled me aside and said I was kneeling wrong. When I go down, I kneel with my left knee on the floor and my right knee up to push myself up. She said that it should be my right knee on the ground and my left knee up. According to her, the way I was doing it was a proclamation to Satan.

I asked my mom, and she thinks it's some mideval thinking from like the 60's when people thought that left-handed people were evil. Things like, the Angel is on the right shoulder, the Devil on the left.

I was wondering if anyone else ever heard of this. I think that lady is full of it. I kneel that way because it's easier on my soon-to-be arthritic knees.

We have talked to a priest about this. Of the two in my church, only one was outraged. The other one, who is not a good example of a Christian, didn't care since the lady in question gives to the church often and he didn't want to anger her.

And yes, whoever asked it, I'm Catholic. The lady in question is a born-again Catholic.

Answer 1

Well,

Honestly we (Catholics) kneel with our right knee. When entering the Adoration Chapel we kneel with both knees.

But there is no compulsion to kneel at all if you have bad knees.

In the past it was customary for people to kneel to the kings and that was done with the left knee.

When Christians stated this tradition, they wanted to kneel differently to show that we are kneeling to God, not an earthly king, so they used the Right knee.

I don't think you are going to hell for using the wrong knee, unless you do it with bad intentions.

I have NEVER herd that kneeling with the left knee having anything to do with Satan.

Peace! and God Bless you!

Answer 2

First of all let me clarify that this woman was being extremely unchristian and is misinformed. Showing a sign of reverence in church cannot be of Satan even if the sign is done incorrectly.

With that said let me clarify another point. There is a difference between the body postures called kneeling and genuflecting.

Kneeling would involve going down on both knees and is only done on a kneeler( a piece of wood about three inches off the floor which is usually padded.) If you have bad knees it is permissible to sit anytime kneeling is called for.

Genuflecting is going down on your right knee with your left knee up. It is a gesture of reverence done when passing in front of a tabernacle which contains the Holy Eucharist. If you cannot genuflect you should make a reverent bow to the tabernacle before passing in front of it.

If your church has a separate adoration chapel and the tabernacle is not visible in the church then you would bow to the altar as you enter the church. You would only genuflect when entering the adoration chapel.

Let me repeat if you are not required to kneel or genuflect if it will cause you physical pain or injury.

Answer 3

Are you serious? God doesn't give a flying flip HOW you kneel or even IF you kneel. You can pray to God driving your car, walking your dog or sitting on the toilet. That's probably not the most respectful way to do it but the Bible tells us to "pray without ceasing" so the me that means anywhere and everywhere. Ask the kind concerned lady at your church to kindly show you where it instructs us in the Bible how we are to kneel.

Answer 4

I think she's full of it too. Though I have never heard of a proper way to kneel, I was brought up Roman Catholic, I don't think God much cares if you kneel or not. He looks at your heart and I'm sure He doesn't want you to suffer. I too have arthritic knees and have stopped kneeling ages ago, to heck with what other people think!

Answer 5

What a strange statement from a 'Born Again' Catholic! Usually, they are more aware than most of the liberty allowed us by God. There is no sin in kneeling 'wrong'. It's just an old tradition. Sure, it's nice if you can do it, but if you can't, so what? God knows your heart, and THAT is what counts, here. She of all people should have understood that.

Go figure.

Answer 6

I'd have to say to her, "Thanks for sharing that, but don't you think it's rather silly to think kneeling on one knee is good and the other is bad? Isn't prayer the point of prayer?" If she continues to have a problem over it, ask her to speak to the minister or priest and get a ruling. You might just free her of a superstition she learned as a child and never thought to question.

And thank you, NewCatholic, for the education. Very interesting to find there actually is a reason behind the custom.

Answer 7

Hi - She's just being silly. Think of it this way - Look around your church. Look at all the meaning that is going on there. Look at the members and what they are feeling. Now think about your belief in God.

Do you honestly think which knee you go down on first, second or third makes the slightest difference to God? Get real. The guy has much higher priorities.

A

Answer 8

I am a born again Christian and I want to tell you that the Lord Jesus sees the HEART, not which leg you use to kneel!! You just keep kneeling to Him any old way as long as youre kneeling!

Answer 9

There is nothing biblical about kneeling on a particular knee. This is simply a legalistic expectation.

Worship of our Lord is from your mind and heart. We are saved by faith, not our works.

Answer 10

Your no longer each week christian..your in basic terms an ignorant christian, you need somewhat extra learn of Gods be conscious.....you could equip your self somewhat extra beneficial as one authorized by God...and that comes from interpreting Scripture. The Quran is the doctrine of a pagan faith who worship the moon god...it isn't the fact. Jesus loves you very plenty.....