Religion quiz for atheists. Why is it Catholic tradition to face East when praying?

Question

If you don't know, just say, "I don't know."
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Hint: The answer can be found in the Bible.
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For the ones who answered, "I don't care", if you don't care, why did you care to respond?
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rlrose63 got it.
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Answer 1

As the lightning comes from the East . . so shall the Son of Man appear" Mt 24:27). There it is, the scriptural basis for the Christian belief that when Jesus comes again in glory, He will come from the East. This belief is in turn the foundation for the ancient Christian practice of facing East while praying. In fact, already in the fourth century, St. Basil wrote that an eastern orientation in prayer was one of the most ancient traditions of the Church.

This eastern orientation carries several different meanings. Most basically, the East represents Christ. So strong is the identification of Christ with the East that sometimes He is simply called by that name. This is a continuation of an Old Testament theme that says of God, "The Orient is his name" (Zec 6:12). In our liturgy, we also name Jesus the "Orient, splendor of eternal light and sun of justice." So when we pray facing the East, we mean to face Christ himself.

Answer 2

I was not aware they traditional prayed facing a certian direction. I know a few Catholic families and have seen or heard them mention anythingabout praying in a certian direction. Also in what I have studied of the religion I have not heard of that obscure tradition.

Answer 3

thanks for pointing out facts that many blind believers dont "care" to know. they only listen to their preacher (right or wrong)...

i knew all the main aisle of churches is in a east-west orientation.. just not sure where is the congregation facing...
and also not sure why....

now i know....

i thought it was like the muslim...
they face mecca (or the holy land) so depending on where u are in the world... they face different directions but same destination...

so for christians... does it mean everyone faces geographical east? then what happen to those in North and South pole???

Answer 4

Church's do not have to be facing any particular direction - because God is everywhere.

I think you might be confusing Islamic tradition of facing in the Direction of Mecca when praying. Every Islamic Mosque is orientated so it is facing towards Mecca. When Muslism pray, they face is the direction of Mecca as well.

Answer 5

well considering that Jews always faced Jerusalem in their prayers and that Rome was west of Jerusalem it would make sense that the Church would direct their prayers east. The default was it became the norm.

that or it could have to do with the fact the sun rises in the east.


Those are my two best guesses.

Answer 6

Ah- there is no such tradition. Here is a question. Why are atheist so caught up in wondering about God and religion when they don't even believe? Wouldn't an atheist avoid this area altogether? I mean, the point is rather moot for you.

Answer 7

Due to Earth's rotation, most winds travel from west to east. As the wind passes over the westward facing buttocks of the eastward-facing devout, their farts will be carried aloft more easily.

Answer 8

Good one...I think you got um.

This only goes to show that people just want to look like they know all the answers and yet know nothing.

Answer 9

I've been a Catholic all my life and have never heard of such a thing.

Why is it then at my church, the Altar and crucifix is on the WEST side of the building??

Answer 10

Since when is it Catholic tradition to face towards Jerusalem when praying? I thought it was just us Jews.