Bowing is a sign of respect or reverence.
= = =
As with most things spiritual . . .
It DEPENDS on the HEART ATTITUDE . . . toward that which one is bowing to.
Did/do I worship the Chinese host/family/leader I was being introduced to as I customarily bowed?
NOT AT ALL!
Would anyone watching me bow have mistaken my bow for worship?
NOT AT ALL!
HOWEVER, such benign and accurate assumptions are NOT true with most bowings at most shrines of any stripe or flavor vis a vis RELIGIOUS RITUALS before them AND the heart attitudes too often prevelant in such rituals.
***Bowing is a sign of respect or reverence.
= = =
As with most things spiritual . . .
It DEPENDS on the HEART ATTITUDE . . . toward that which one is bowing to.***
Exactly. Apologies will be accepted in the light of day. And in public.