Will, your concept of "clapping" is VERY narrow minded. If you do not understand that when clapping is done it is not just for the reasons that you have stated. In church I have, do, and will clap, as well as voice my agreement, either by "amen" or "yes", so it is interesting that you have not included the "clapping" as Daryl has mentioned in his previous post.
-Also what about the raising of hands in worship?

And who on earth gives you the right to judge me Daniel and tell me my view is VERY narrow minded. Dont you find that your own empty laments of not judging the outward is a contradicion in terms by calling my views VERY narrow minded?
I will now shut up as you would prefer, and not comment on this anymore. Good work Daniel.

Will, you are right in your assessment concerning clapping in worldly situations. And clapping and/or applause is right and proper and expected in those situations. I appreciated your comments.

In Church, applause/clapping is never appropriate. Perhaps a study on proper reverence in association with applause is appropriate here.

Websters definitions:

Applause: approval publicly expressed (as by clapping the hands): acclaim

Clapping: to strike (the hands) together repeatedly usa. in applause: applaud.

What about the clapping done in black churches in connection with worhip services? Who here will say that this worship style is disrespectful to God?

/Thomas

Thomas, precisely one of the cultural manifestations to which I was referring! African American church services have long been exuberant and expressively interactive by voice, clapping, hand waving, etc. Perhaps some here have not experienced this style of worship firsthand... It is within the black Adventist community that we have had the most consistent growth in NAD, which seriously undermines Debbie's implied presumptions.

Debbie, are you quite serious that clapping/applause should never happen in church? Again, how do you reconcile that absolute declaration with the text that Daryl posted? And I rather thought that this topic was attempting a discussion of reverence and applause! Perhaps a move toward that objective would be to stop ignoring and to start honestly dealing with the questions actually raised already...

Will, how amazingly ironic, and dare I say - blindly hypocritical, that you should chastise Daniel for daring to "judge" you after a post by you that was decidedly judgmental about applause in lieu of a hearty round of "Amen" and equating applause as nothing more than a reaction to a comedic punchline. Is not every comment expressed here against clapping in church judgmental of those who do clap in church? If I hadn't just spoken I would say I am speechless!

Tom

Tom,
Answer these easy to follow simple questions. I will even make it point by point in case you get confused.
1. Do people clap when a comedian gives a good punchline?
2. Is an applause given to someone who deserves a standing ovation for a performance?
3. Do people clap for someone who they support and usually after a speech?
there was a part in my post where I said that tact and timing need to be considered when we are in a church service.
YOu definitely missed that one. So please spare me the smoke you are trying to blow up my nose and other people's nose with such pseudo dignity and strength of character. Pick your battles next time cause I am not afraid of a lawyer or the devil.

It doesn't matter if you're skin color is black white blue or green, what Mrs. White says about applause applies to everyone. She makes no distinctions.

Hey there Will, I am sorry that you are SO sensative to this topic...
You and Debbie do not respond to direct question but rather "dance" AROUND THEM BY ASKING "MORE" questions:

YES the cultures do have variances and if you can not accept that then you ARE being narrow minded and "border line racist". YIKES that was harsh, but a VERY true statement. We were not created THE SAME! so in my Maritime 95% white church, will we worship the same as in my brothers Afro North American churches? Are we supposed to worship the same ??? Come on!?

By the way! I do take offence to these past few posts, but then again I am sure that I offend some people here!

Thanks Daniel. You are right. I am borderline racist, and narrowminded as well for using what I have seen to be generally used situations for clapping. I had not had thechance to look up the word clapping in the Bible, and perhaps you should do so for yourself.
I appreciate your kind words. Both you and Tom are so right. I wish I could be like you and may even change my way of thinking so I can be approved by you two loving people. Wish more could be like you.
Thank you again for showing a Christian like character.

Debbie, I am sorry you do not see the distinctions that EGW does make, whether you think so or not. And it is quite clear that her observations reflect a 19th Century conservative white New England Methodist background. On the other hand, the Bible reflects an emotionally expressive and openly demonstrative middle Eastern Jewish outlook and style of worship. Let's not condemn those who find meaning and unique ways to express their cultural values and ideas of respect, love and adoration for one another and the God we collectively worship. Just look around and see for yourself if there is any evidence that God appreciates diversity in his creation. If he didn't, horses, cats, whales, birds, dogs, lions, donkeys, monkeys, etc., etc., would all sound the same and bleat like sheep... And the colors of the rainbow would all be blue... And all food would taste like rice...

Will, I would like to think that in your last post you were being genuinely sincere... but alas it just came across as childish, rude and insulting. It does bring to mind the insightful and true words of Ralph Waldo Emmerson:

"People seem not to see
that their opinion of the world
is also a confession of their character."


Tom