Man Laws for Christians

Can we establish some Man Laws for Christians? I think this would help and cause us to not experience awkward moments with other dudes in church.

Here's my first proposal: Men should not hold hands with other men while praying.

I'm sorry, but that just makes me feel awkward.

Will someone second the motion?

Comments

[Dan]

Second the motion, man law.

Another christian man law...When hugging another brother you should also be hitting him in some motion. this is to say that I'm not only hugging you but hitting you also.

[Kevin Behringer]

I second...I mean third.

I think this post and Driscoll's sermon about men being men is long overdue.

I'm tired of the word Christian being synonymous with "weak" or "feminine" or "in touch with their feelings.." Blah Blah Blah

I am tired of the phrase "be a man" being looked down on. What's wrong with that? It ain't so bad to be a man...if it's done right.

That means no holding hands, unless it's in the middle of a jungle war and your buddy just took one in the chest.

That means hugging should be critiqued for frequency and format.

It means that masculinity is not a bad thing. And it's time that Christian Men start remembering that "men" is part of that title.

[Jose]

Ammendment to Chrisian Man Law I:
I agree there shall be no hand holding during prayer, the proper alternative to hand holding is the placement of the hand on the other man's back or shoulder, but in the case of some lapse in mental judgement or sheer desperation, and hand holding becomes the last resort, then a man shall not interlock fingers with another man.

[Kevin Behringer]

And another thing...

The criticism of this from many fronts will probably be, "Oh, you're just a homophobe."

Again, I'm not sure that I take that as a criticism.

[Bob Franquiz]

Dan,

I almost added that to the law. Too funny!

Jose - That was hilarious! I read this post while I was driving and the interlocking of fingers almost made me drive off the road, it was so funny!

[Michelle]

Interlocking is weird for women too. I have only one instance of interlocking in all of my group prayer experience and it was weird. It wasn't another woman, just some guy that was a friend of a friend. I was shocked. I didn't realize anyone was doing this.

[luis]

Bob,
The Lords of Masculinity had their council, and a decision has been decreed: your man card, which was revoked after you went public with your man-crush on John Mayer, has been restored by your valiant defense of manliness. Another entry like this, and you'll be up for knighthood.

[Derek Brown]

Another Law:

Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:26 WERE CULTURAL. Handshaking is perfectly appropriate.

[mark Rodriguez]

Sorry I don't have a prob with the hand thing...

did i mention I'm down with hugs and kisses too...

I guess it's the "latin" in me...

-mark :-)

[bryonm]

Let's fart, spit, belch, and scratch, too. And teach our sons to do the same.

Or did I just take "macho" too far?

[scott hodge]

I was at Sbux tonight and saw three or four guys (Suburban khaki type of guys...) who were all high fiving each other and patting each other on the backs and shoulders. My first reaction was, "They must be Christians." Sure enough, on my way out I noticed that they were having a Bible study. How is that I knew that? Was it the casual touching? Was it the high fives?

I'm glad they have "love" for each other, but if I were an outsider considering joining their group, I would have had second thoughts after seeing that.

Ok, that's enough. I'll step off the soap box.

[michael]

i maybe secure enough in my masculinity to hold hands with another guy, but I am not secure enough in HIS to let that happen.

[Dan]

Scott- you are correct and I would reference Seinfeld for your mention of high fives. "There are no high fives." If you have not seen this episode it is the one were Puddy tried to sell him a Saab.

[Shane]

Here's my vote:

Thou shalt not shake another man's hand with a weak, limp grip.

[Luis]

Shane,
I second that motion... your wisdom borders on Solomonic.

http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20000611025925data_trunc_sys.shtml

[Rick]

Another man law...
MAN shall not wear coulots - leave them for the ladies...and only men who play golf as well as the late Payne Stewart shall wear knickers!

[Ryan]

Perhaps it's the Irish Presbyterian in me but I would make this law.
"No man shall be thought less of for not dancing or clapping hands during worship."

[Paul]

This brings to mind though a snippet from my intercultural commications course in college. The professor, from a country in Africa (Nigeria, IIRC), shared this story:

His brother came from Africa to the states to visit. In their first culture, men holding hands was very common. And they were brothers. So the professor goes to the airport to pick his brother up, and they are very glad to see each other, but as they are walking through the concourses out of the airport the brother keeps trying to hold the professor's hand — and the professor keeps letting go, trying not to offend the brother, for fear observers would think them gay. He finally, as I recall, tried to explain to his brother the culture here in the states and how holding hands as men was not done. I don't think his brother understood.

[Cox]

I offer an alternate movement to the "hug-hit" movement previously ratified:
The firm handshake into a one-armed hug should also be allowed. Because this move offers a "buffer zone" while accomodating the joy seeing a brother after a long absence.

I await your verdict.

[Scott]

This is awesome.
Another possible man law...
Crying from the pulpit w/o good cause revokes one's man card.

[Michael Foster]

1. No "groin to groin" hugs with another man.
2. All complements are followed by a loving insult (this of course, is never to be practice towards a lady).
3. No high fives ever unless it is somehow part of a joke.
4. Crying is allowed in three possible scenarios a) your alone with your wife (bonus points!) b)you get kicked in the family jewels or c) Guinness brewing company shuts down.

[-joe d.]

The hand-holding thing makes me cringe. Especially when you remember how few men seem to be in the habit of washing their hands (with SOAP!) after ... anyway.

[Luis]

I humbly submit a few more for your approval:
-men shalt not have their pants hanging below thier hip to show off their underoos.
-men shalt not call another man "handsome" or "good-looking"
-men over the age of 17 shalt not eat cereal for dinner; eating cereal whilst playing on your Playstation is immediate dismissal from the male species.

[Isvari Wyyld]

I like the pants one, that droopy, baggy look just don't cut it...Not sure about the calling another man "handsome" - Most men don't pay attention to this detail, but if asked, "handsome" would be the one of the acceptable terms...on the last on, MEN sould be able to eat what they want, when they want - without answering to anyone. (and if you can eat cereal while playing the playstation and not mess up the game play...more power to ya) No interlocking fingers EVER. Can second the Alt "hug-hit" - Firm handshake/one arm hug.

[Mike Ellis]

What are the differences between "church-i-fied" men and "masculine" men?

Unfortunately, I have found that men inside the church would rather stick a hot poker in their eye than confront one another or point out issues and problems in the church. Why? Men who are church insiders have been given the message that pointing out problems is "the wrong thing to do", "you will hurt someone's feelings" or "that's not nice". In Paul Coughlin's book "No More Christian Nice Guy", Jesus shows up at church Sunday morning and confronts the congregation with the words "hypocrites" and "brood of vipers". What happens to that "meanie" Jesus? A little old church lady grabs the microphone out of his hand and says, "Stop that Jesus. That's not nice".

Men who are unchurched and have not been "church-i-fiend" by "churchianity" are not afraid to confront one another. In my opinion and experience, the more masculine a man is the more likely he is to confront issues and problems. Unfortunately, the more masculine a man is the more likely he is to avoid going to church (find out more by reading "Why Men Hate Going To Church" or go to @ www.churchformen.com).

Today, I had two experiences. One with church men and the other with extremely masculine men.

My men inside the church experience:
I confronted another brother who had been bad mouthing other men in our church behind their backs. In merely seconds, he stomped out of the room and made it clear that I was a "troublemaker" for voicing my concerns. I was also given the "Ellis, you are such a meanie" glare from other men in the church. My brother Al said, "Ellis, they were looking at you like you had just been convicted of murder one".

My masculine men outside the church experience:
At my place of employment, there are men who are mudding and taping new offices. As they work, they are openly and loudly confronting one another about being late, not working hard enough, complaining, whining, their quality of work, and the women in their lives. All four of these men are voicing their concerns to each other without talking trash behind their co-workers back, stomping out of the building or being told "that is not nice".

Which confrontation tactic and reaction seems healthier to you?
What would happen to these masculine men if they walked into a church and began addressing concerns and offered solutions?

One more thing before I close. I just heard one of the masculine men telling his brother that he stinks and needs to put on some deodorant. What happened? The stinky guy went out to the parking lot, put on some pit stick and went back to work. No one stomped out of the building and no one was considered a "meanie" for bringing up his a co-worker's stink.

Hmmmm.

Mike Ellis