Facing East At Phatmass

[Gregorius]

[quote name='aalpha1989' date='08 May 2010 - 03:49 PM' timestamp='1273348148' post='2107075']
If you [i]must[/i], put a crucifix atop your monitor or between your keyboard and the monitor.
[/quote]
Considering I'm using a desktop where I'm looking North, I think I'll be a Latin and go with the "Benedictine Compromise."

[MIKolbe]

[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='08 May 2010 - 07:49 PM' timestamp='1273362547' post='2107183']
Please tell me your last sentence is a joke.
[/quote]

my whole life is a joke sometimes.. but yes, indeed that last sentence is a joke. My wife is not Catholic and does not kneel, nor is she obliged to do so.

[quote name='Slappo' date='08 May 2010 - 07:52 PM' timestamp='1273362727' post='2107184']
His last sentance is a joke... lol
[/quote]

i think you mean 'sentence'.

i know SOMEone who would be proud I caught that!!!

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='Slappo' date='08 May 2010 - 06:52 PM' timestamp='1273362727' post='2107184']
His last sentance is a joke... lol
[/quote]

Thanks--seriously, although I figured there must be SOME dispensation for those with physical problems.

Just let me know if I have to get a dispensation from the Cardinal, such as a "Catholic handicapped sticker" to wear at Mass so I won't erupt into a flaming ball of fire, or have the congregation stand up and point at me shouting, "Heretic!" That would be kinda of a downer.

[MIKolbe]

do your best, let God handle the rest.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='MIkolbe' date='08 May 2010 - 07:02 PM' timestamp='1273363352' post='2107190']
my whole life is a joke sometimes.. but yes, indeed that last sentence is a joke. My wife is not Catholic and does not kneel, nor is she obliged to do so.

i think you mean 'sentence'.

i know SOMEone who would be proud I caught that!!!
[/quote]

Thanks. My ex and I designed our wedding service so that the congregation would never be asked to kneel, as a consideration for my atheist father. It was a HUGE concession for him even to enter a Catholic church. However, at a couple of points during the service, my ex and I did kneel, even if the congregation didn't. (We also had some Protestant friends who would be uncomfortable with kneeling, but would be too polite to say so.)

It's probably a good thing that I haven't been to a Catholic church for many years. It is easier for me to kneel than to stand (except for short periods). But, not if there is no kneeler. (I like kneelers--especially if they are pretty. It's very homey to visit chuches where the kneelers have been embroidered etc by generations of altar guild ladies, especially if some of the altar guild ladies are your relatives/ancestors.)

I, for one, am proud that you caught Slappo's typo. I missed it entirely.

Edited May 9, 2010 by IgnatiusofLoyola

[Hilde]

[quote name='zunshynn' date='08 May 2010 - 11:21 PM' timestamp='1273350109' post='2107100']
Then they still face Mecca. The East doesn't really have any significance for them.
[/quote]
What direction is that if every direction is equidistant to mecca?

[zunshynn]

[quote name='Hilde' date='08 May 2010 - 07:05 PM' timestamp='1273367129' post='2107273']
What direction is that if every direction is equidistant to mecca?
[/quote]

How would that be possible unless they were in Mecca? In that case they would still face the Kaaba, that big black box thing.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='zunshynn' date='08 May 2010 - 08:09 PM' timestamp='1273367368' post='2107283']
How would that be possible unless they were in Mecca? In that case they would still face the Kaaba, that big black box thing.
[/quote]
There would be one other point somewhere on the globe that is directly opposite Mecca.

I don't know where that might be. It's probably in the ocean, in which case it really doesn't matter.

Edited May 9, 2010 by Nihil Obstat

[Hilde]

The globe is round. On the exact opposite side of the earth. This isn't really important to me, it was just a really silly question really, but since you asked.

Edited May 9, 2010 by Hilde

[Vincent Vega]

The antipode of Mecca is in the Pacific ocean, about 2500 miles Northeast of Wellington, NZ. So unless a Muslim sailor just happens to be on a ship in that exact location when he must perform his salaat, I'd say it's a moot point.

[Nihil Obstat]

I Googled "equidistant to Mecca" and only found a couple other random fora who had asked the same question. I have concluded that Muslims don't worry about it so much.

[Hilde]

Like me with Cain and abel and heritage and all that, doesn't matter much to me. But facing towards Mecca can't be west all the time.

[Luigi]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' date='08 May 2010 - 09:10 PM' timestamp='1273367453' post='2107287']
There would be one other point somewhere on the globe that is directly opposite Mecca.

I don't know where that might be. It's probably in the ocean, in which case it really doesn't matter.
[/quote]

Nonetheless, Hilde's question implies a thornier theological issue. The question of directionality cannot be unidirectional only - consideration must be given to the north-south axis equally with the east-west axis. If I am in Montevideo (well south of Mecca or Jerusalem) or Canada (GASP! well north of Mecca or Jerusalem), do I need to adjust my "eastness" to compensate for my "northness" or "southness"? If not, why not? Does "eastness," in and of itself, satisfy the requirements, or is the larger goal of facing a holy city more important than the specific compass points?

Inquiring minds want to know; the faithful pray-er needs to know.