I was raised in a Christian church of a Lutheran denomination. It is a small country church five miles from town that averages thirty to forty members for attendance each week. By the time I was old enough to stay awake through the entire service, I had the entire service memorized from start to finish. Our services were very routine, with traditional hymns and a predictable order. We always said the same prayers and creeds in unison, and were dismissed at almost the exact same time each week.
Due to being raised in such a manner, I am amazed at the ways of worship introduced to us through the Hindu culture. They have multiple services to attend weekly, whereas mine were each Sunday, and Wednesday nights while in Confirmation classes.
In Hindu services noise is classified as the norm, but in my church if someone yells or screams everyone turns their head to see who it was and laugh in reaction. In my typical church service we sit and stand when told to do so, but in Hindu services there are no other options but to stand. Many people who worship in this manner chose to reach their hands upwards, and many jump up and down to present their passion. To me these worship ceremonies would be considered chaos because it is on the opposite end of the spectrum from my rural, small town, church in the country.
I was raised the same way as you were. I thought it was very interesting that Hinduism is very different from our religion. My parents would always have to tell me to be quite and not to talk when the service was going on. Where in Hinduism you talk loudly and everyone can talk whenever they like. They are all doing their own thing but still doing the same thing as everyone else. I know it is very confusing to us right now but just think what they would think of our religion. We live in a world where everyone is different in there own way but yet all similar in many ways. I think it would be interesting to hear what the people of Hinduism would think of our religion and what they think we should do differently or if they would pick up anything that we do and change it to fit in with their religion.
Just like the both of you, I was raised the same way. I can’t remember a Sunday where we didn’t go to Sunday School and church. It was just what I was raised to do. Like you said, church was very traditional. My church was very traditional too. I think for us part of the reason ours was traditional was because I went to a church that had an elderly congregation. When learning about the way a Hindu service is held I can’t imagine the elderly people taking part in that in my church. I think some of the old ladies would think that was absolutely nuts.
I find it very interesting to learn about the way other religions take part in worshipping their God or Gods. I’m glad that you compared it to the way you were raised in church, like many of us were. It shows that although people may practice different ways, we are still worshipping a higher power in a way.
I like how you thought of your religion while learning about Hinduism. I also attended a Lutheran church, not very often and only when Dad made me, but I did not relate my church going and worship time to the way Hindus worship. I agree with you that a Hindu worship would seem very chaotic in comparison to ours. We have chosen to let one person lead our ceremony while they have decided to worship in a group. It would be very interesting to observe a worship ceremony of the Hindu religion.
I also wanted to say that my church is also very small, where everybody knows everybody. I know exactly what you are talking about when you said with any noise or distraction people turn their heads and laugh or give dirty looks. I think that is funny. I wonder if Hindus look at each other for anything little like that, maybe not worshiping as usual or something. I wonder if they worship with the same people every week…
Thanks,
Tiff