2007-09-24 02:00:33 · 31 answers · asked by carrieonthehill 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
you are correct - there is no pattern. He's been watching the Da Vinci Code too much.
2007-09-24 02:03:19 · answer #1 · answered by Yahoo admins are virgins 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Actually, many Christian Churches face the east because that is the direction of the rising sun. Just as the rising sun brings light to a dark world, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, is the light of an otherwise dark world.
In the United States, Jerusalem is in the east. In other parts of the world, Jerusalem may be to the west, but the church would still face east.
2007-09-24 09:17:53 · answer #2 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually your friend is sort of right. Most Anglican churches do face east. Some of the more modern churches are not built that way.
Another reason your friend isn't spot on is because its not Jerusalem its actually Rome (the Vatican) they face. This come from when the most churches were Catholic and they Europe bowed to Rome and the Vatican and of cause the Pope.
So your friend was almost right.
2007-09-24 10:28:29 · answer #3 · answered by Smart_Guy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The wall that the congregation faces during worship is called the ‘east wall’ regardless of the actual compass direction, because of the ancient practice, inherited from Judaism, of facing Jerusalem during prayers. Orthodox churches follow this plan, with some elaboration.
2007-09-24 09:17:50 · answer #4 · answered by jcboyle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work for an architectual firm, and I have seen Christian churches that we have designed with the congregation facing nearly every direction on the compass.
Now, that doesn't mean that there aren't some wacked out 'Christian' Zionists that make their churches so that the congregation faces Jerusalem. It wouldnt' surprise me at all.
2007-09-24 09:04:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Carrieonthehill, ftw! Most Christian churches are built at a convenient angle for access from the streets that intersect in front of them. There isn't a single thing mystical about the location or direction they face. There may be individual exceptions, and I can't speak authoritatively to the LDS or JW churches, but within the mainline Catholic and Protestant churches it is a matter of geographic convenience.
2007-09-24 09:07:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Drive by the churches in your town, do they all face toward Jerusalem? Probably not and most likely none of do.
Most if not all churches are not constructed with the location of Jerusalem in mind. Now, some may tend to face eastward, as in looking towards the rising sun as symbolic of resurrection.
2007-09-24 09:07:30 · answer #7 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christian churches are permitted to face any direction that they want. It is the Muslim religion in which their congregations have to face towards Mecca (which is near Jerusalem).
2007-09-24 09:05:24 · answer #8 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right.
Have your friend check a street with churches at both sides, the congregations will most likely be facing two opposites sides.
2007-09-24 09:07:43 · answer #9 · answered by Darth Eugene Vader 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All one needs do is go out and observe a few churches to discover that you are correct. There is no pattern to the direction the congregation faces. If your friend doubts you take her/him on a field trip to prove it.
2007-09-24 09:15:14 · answer #10 · answered by Murazor 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
incorrect. If it was true then all the chrches in the USA would have to be facing downwards since Jerusalem is on the other side of the planet.
of course if you say it can follow the curve of the earth then it will be facing jerusalem no matter which way you face it. :D
2007-09-24 09:05:13 · answer #11 · answered by Oliver S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋