My girlfriend is going to a church where they wash people's feet. What is this all about?

Question

I'm an atheist and have a very negative view of religion. In a cruel twist of fate, my girlfriend has wholeheartedly embraced Chrisitanity and fervently attends church, despite my efforts to stop her. She never went on to higher education and I think she uses religion to fill this void in her life. Also, I've been unfaithful to her a number of times and I've been told that her religious commitment is a reaction to this.

She told me earlier this evening that tomorrow her church is going to have a "foot washing service." I was immediaely suspicious. What church is so concerned with its member's feet? She started to tell me something about a woman washing Jesus's feet with her hair. I told her she had best not put her hair on anyone's feet. She told me that wasn't it, but she'd explain later. It sounds like some bizarre fetish church to me. Why in the world would she get mixed up in something so odd? I was raised a Christian, but this is the first I heard of such a service.

Answer 1

It's a reproduction of an act taken from the Gospels (John 13:1-15). I was raised Catholic and saw the priest do it once for a pre-selected group of people.

It might seem "strange", but I don't see how it's any stranger than eating bread and wine as representative of somebody's body and blood, blowing out a cake of flaming sticks on one's birthday, or firing 21 guns off into the air at a military event. It's just a symbolic rite.

Answer 2

There are... but you have to know exactly what you want and then develope a ritual incoporating personal and situational objects and ideas. The objects aren't necessary, but they tend to help you focus your energy toward the desired outcome. The main factors are focusing your thoughts and manipulating the energy you channel. If what you're asking is can you read some magic words and make someone fall in love with you or change your hair color, then no. There is no hope for you there. In my experience, the best magic(k) spells are adaptive and personal. You don't need a book... books are only for ideas, but the most powerful spells are those that you create and completely control. In the end, however, never forget nor forsake how you reached your desired outcome, otherwise it will all fade away or possibly even turn on you. I've had that happen a lot, but I've never had a ritual that didn't work... That's why I do only one or two a year at the most.

Answer 3

Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. 2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13

Actually since Jesus who came from God and God called Him His Son did this act to mere man, how much more humble we should be. I was thinking why no one does the same nowdays. I am surprised to see some humble people u mentioned.

I was also born a christian but was not sure enough about the beliefs, but lately I am sure that God is there.. One sure thing is because just as Jesus said He would send the Holy Spirit I received Him,

Read here how my sins were so bad that I felt trapped and how I got rescued..
http://www.protectinghands.com/ladder_to_heaven.htm

Answer 4

Foot washing is an ancient ritual. Some religions proselytized to people so poor that they had no shoes. The proselytizers didn't want to get their floors filthy from the bottoms of these people's feet, so they developed a ritual to wash their feet to clean the crap off them. Now, it is just another dumb ritual whose source has been long forgotton and which is done just because no one is allowed to think about it and see how dumb it is in modern times (unless your girl friend walks around without shoes all day and never washes her feet otherwise).

Answer 5

It's normal. It's from Scripture.

It has been mentioned in the books of Genesis and Samuel. It appears in the Gospel of John.

A large part of the idea behind it has to do with being of service to others. It is a custom traditionally carried about by a servant, but Jesus did it to the Apostles in John 13 to show he was there to care for their needs.

I think the best thing to do is learn how to deal with your issues with your girlfriend's religion. Learn how to be happy that she has found something strong in her life. If you focus on your hang ups too much, you either ruin something good for her or you lose her. Usually, you lose the person once they start to grow and become more independent.

Answer 6

omg, never heard of anything about a woman washing Jesus' feet ....with her hair ???? Read John 13:1-17 in the bible, it will explain it, sounds like u & your girl need to re-examine your relationship & where you disagree on religion issues. I dont think her committment to religion is a reaction to your being unfaithful but rather to fill a void within herself or to deal with issues within herself so she turned to Jesus, and u say u've been unfaithful a number of times ??? Sounds like a good question to post for some more answers LOL

Answer 7

It's not a fetish,and it's not due to people having a bizarre interest in feet
.In ancient times,travellers would get dusty,tired feet.It was a sign of hospitality and humility to wash the traveller's sore,tired feet.

Answer 8

that is very comen for maunday thersday services in remembering the last super and Jesus washing his desciples feet. I do not know of churches that do it every week but if you live in a desert and dusty area it makes sence as in Jesus' day.

ok having read more one gosple talks of a woman ( prostitye possible) pooring perfum on Jesus' feet then washing them with her tears and drying them with her hair.

Answer 9

You really do not know enough of the bible to call yourself an atheist. I have been to several Churches where on infrequent occasions, this is practiced. In all the services I am aware of, it was always women washing women and men with men. This is a outward sign of inward devotion to be a servant of the Lord.

Answer 10

I figure I'm pretty qualified to answer this, coming from a Baptist family.

In the church my grandparents went to, this was practiced. It was reserved for only the men and was used to teach humility and trust. I've seen grown men stumble out the building during one of these and ralph directly outside.