If you don't know what genuflect means you can check here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genuflect
2007-04-05 15:47:28 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Part of it is habit, but most of it is respect and reverence. It's not just Catholics that genuflect. Episcopalians do it as well.
2007-04-05 15:52:07 · answer #1 · answered by Purdey EP 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I was raised Catholic, so for most of my childhood and teenage years, yes, out of habit I genuflected prior to entering the pew as most Catholics do.
I now attend non-demoninational church - still Christian - and there is no large hanging crucifix in front of church (although there is a cross) and so no, I no longer genuflect.
2007-04-05 22:52:26 · answer #2 · answered by Marvelissa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I never do. I refuse to bow the knee before any representation of God. Only before God Himself. I walk into church, chat with others who are attending ("the communion of saints"), take my place as the service starts, and then go through a combination of enjoying myself, praising God, seriously considering what God is saying through His Word, and try to be an encouragement to others. But I do not genuflect. To me, church can be held in a community centre, in a home, in a yard, or in a clearing in the forest. Nothing to genuflect to there.
2007-04-05 22:53:32 · answer #3 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Catholics believe that Jesus is present soul, body, divinity and humanity in the Blessed Sacrament. It is kept in a Tabernacle which is usually visible in the Church. That is why they genuflect.
2007-04-05 22:53:02 · answer #4 · answered by Shirley T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catholics and some Episcopalians are the only Christians I know that genuflect.
2007-04-05 22:52:32 · answer #5 · answered by lollipop 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I genuflect not out of habit but out of respect for God and the real presence of Jesus.
2007-04-06 00:27:04 · answer #6 · answered by paxicogirl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
only catholics do that and out of respect of Jesus who is present in church. we genuflect as we face the Blessed Sacrament.
2007-04-05 22:52:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep!
First, because I'm Catholic, and the real and substantial body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ is truly present in every Catholic Church.
And second, for the non-Catholics out there:
Isa 45:20 Assemble yourselves, and come, and draw near together, ye that are saved of the Gentiles: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven work, and pray to a god that cannot save.
Isa 45:21 Tell ye, and come, and consult together: who hath declared this from the beginning, who hath foretold this from that time? Have not I the Lord, and there is no God else besides me? A just God and a saviour, there is none besides me.
Isa 45:22 Be converted to me, and you shall be saved, all ye ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is no other.
Isa 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word of justice shall go out of my mouth, and shall not return: (45:24) For every knee shall be bowed to me, and every tongue shall swear.
Isa 45:24 (45:25) Therefore shall he say: In the Lord are my justices and empire: they shall come to him, and all that resist him shall be confounded.
Isa 45:25 (45:26) In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified and praised.
Happy Easter!
2007-04-05 23:06:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, always. A couple of times, when visiting other types of churches, I've forgotten that not all churches do that, and people stared at me.
2007-04-05 22:56:49 · answer #9 · answered by solarius 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think Catholic and perhaps a few Anglicans do that. The Church I attend doesn't.
2007-04-05 22:51:30 · answer #10 · answered by angel 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋