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Have you ever been in a church service where someone asked the congregation to lift up praise to God, and lot's of people share in a moment of praise by clapping as a form of recognition to God Himself? It has happened hundreds of times to me in lots of places. I understand that we recognize the efforts of someone or a group to sing a song or perform something--clapping is a cultural recognition of their effort--can't it be the same for God also? I don't think He gets as offended as we all do. He is a very big God and can probably handle all of us pretty well.

Have you ever been in a church service where someone asked the congregation to lift up praise to God, and lot's of people share in a moment of praise by clapping as a form of recognition to God Himself? It has happened hundreds of times to me in lots of places. I understand that we recognize the efforts of someone or a group to sing a song or perform something--clapping is a cultural recognition of their effort--can't it be the same for God also?

I think it's been put forth very clearly, I don't understand what the problem is.

The Catholics here are talking about inappropriate clapping directed at other people, not any clapping that may be directed during Protestant services towards God.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out the purpose of clapping when the youth group's success in raising money from selling donuts is applauded. It isn't praise of God.

Likewise, clapping when the choir finishes singing is inapproriate. The choir should be leading the congregation in singing to the glory of God. The choir does not require applause, and should eschew the very idea of being the object of attention during Mass.

That is what is being talked about. And it should be stopped at Catholic Masses. If Protestants want to clap as a means of praise, that is fine. But inappropriate clapping for people is never kosher during Mass.

SD

>> Have you ever been in a church service where someone asked the congregation to lift up praise to God, and lot's of people share in a moment of praise by clapping as a form of recognition to God Himself?

Yes, that would be good, but that's not what the clapping I've seen in Catholic churches has been for. I should note that I've been to Protestant services where there was an enthusiastic preacher who'd insist everyone "praise God" whenever he made a joke or hit one of his big lines.

Both instances of clapping are absolutely unacceptable to me.