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The Lords of Masculinity had their council, and a decision has been decreed: your man card, which was revoked after you went public with your man-crush on John Mayer, has been restored by your valiant defense of manliness.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.