Cesar624 Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 I like to attend St. Patrick's Cathedral every so often since it's not that far from my school...and the thing that really gets under my skin everytime I go there are ALL THE TOURISTS - and they're not even Catholic. I have NO problem with people wanting to see the Cathedral and learn more about Catholicism and Catholic architecture, but when they think that the Church is a museum is when I get really pissed off. Flash photography, posing in front of the Altar without even bowing or showing some sort of respect...someone actually took a picture next to a statue with their arm around it! I wanted to vomit! It smells of elderberries even more when the main person that the tour group is with doesn't know carp about Catholicism. I was overhearing a man talking to his little group, they seemed like they were from the South or something, and he was standing in front of a Shrine and he was talking about how Catholic churches are filled with statues of a bunch of Saints and deities that Catholics pray to. He was like "notice how they closely resemble the Greek gods and goddesses". I JUST HAD TO CORRECT HIM! I did a 30 second explanation about the Communion of Saints, and how we DON'T worship them and we DON'T have deities, and nothing even close to "gods and goddesses". He said he was sorry if he offended me and apologized to his group for not knowing all of the facts. NOTE TO ALL NON-CATHOLIC TOURISTS OF OUR CHURCHES: Please be respectful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Adam Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 I think it is kindof ironic that you ask for respect yet say "stupid tourists". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Huether Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 [quote name='Cesar624' date='Apr 17 2004, 09:19 AM'] I like to attend St. Patrick's Cathedral every so often since it's not that far from my school...and the thing that really gets under my skin everytime I go there are ALL THE TOURISTS - and they're not even Catholic. I have NO problem with people wanting to see the Cathedral and learn more about Catholicism and Catholic architecture, but when they think that the Church is a museum is when I get really pissed off. Flash photography, posing in front of the Altar without even bowing or showing some sort of respect...someone actually took a picture next to a statue with their arm around it! I wanted to vomit! It smells of elderberries even more when the main person that the tour group is with doesn't know carp about Catholicism. I was overhearing a man talking to his little group, they seemed like they were from the South or something, and he was standing in front of a Shrine and he was talking about how Catholic churches are filled with statues of a bunch of Saints and deities that Catholics pray to. He was like "notice how they closely resemble the Greek gods and goddesses". I JUST HAD TO CORRECT HIM! I did a 30 second explanation about the Communion of Saints, and how we DON'T worship them and we DON'T have deities, and nothing even close to "gods and goddesses". He said he was sorry if he offended me and apologized to his group for not knowing all of the facts. NOTE TO ALL NON-CATHOLIC TOURISTS OF OUR CHURCHES: Please be respectful! [/quote] Amen! Way to go bro. Thanks for repin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cesar624 Posted April 17, 2004 Author Share Posted April 17, 2004 Yeah, you're right Bro Adam - I take it back. I should of said "Disrespectful". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomProddy Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 [quote name='Cesar624' date='Apr 17 2004, 05:19 PM'] I have NO problem with people wanting to see the Cathedral and learn more about Catholicism and Catholic architecture, but when they think that the Church is a museum is when I get really pissed off. Flash photography, posing in front of the Altar without even bowing or showing some sort of respect... [/quote] Whoa. I remember a story about something like that in my home cathedral, some tourists wanted a picture near the altar. As they were approaching the Dean turned round and quipped: "Where do you think you're going?!" And in case anyone wonders: [img]http://cjwinnit.hopto.org/pictures/durham8.jpg[/img] Talk about disrespect. Luckily I wasn't there, I'm not sure how I'd have reacted, God forgive me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiat_Voluntas_Tua Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 maybe even ignorant...a lot of Protestants believe that there is nothing on earth to show 'true reverance' to. except people. So maybe some people don't know that the Altar is the Holy of Holies, and that Statues of Saints aren't for pictures. and that the body of Christ is inside the Tabernacle. So maybe disrespectful, most likely Ignorant. Pax et Agape per Maria, Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomProddy Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 (edited) [quote name='thywillbedone7' date='Apr 17 2004, 06:27 PM'] maybe even ignorant...a lot of Protestants believe that there is nothing on earth to show 'true reverance' to. except people. So maybe some people don't know that the Altar is the Holy of Holies, and that Statues of Saints aren't for pictures. and that the body of Christ is inside the Tabernacle. So maybe disrespectful, most likely Ignorant. Pax et Agape per Maria, Andy [/quote] Some of us do Edited April 17, 2004 by RandomProddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Adam Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 That is one awesome sanctuary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iacobus Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 When I have been to Churchs that are huge and old that become the tour traps I go in find a pew and genuflect and pray. From that point in my pew I can admire the Church I do not need to be on or even close to the altar to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeraMaria Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 [quote name='Iacobus' date='Apr 17 2004, 03:56 PM'] When I have been to Churchs that are huge and old that become the tour traps I go in find a pew and genuflect and pray. From that point in my pew I can admire the Church I do not need to be on or even close to the altar to see it. [/quote] ...and it also gets the message across to other tourists that it is a CHURCH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quietfire Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 But I have one question.. why all the statues? For what purpose? To reflect? This one has always been a brain teaser, I've gotten so many different interpretations of why. What's your opinion? Anybody? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Michael Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 I bet these tourists are not properly dressed to go wandering around the churches, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewReformation Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 Is there such a thing as a holy building anymore though? After all, Christ and the Apostles didn't tell us that we have to worship in a certain type of building. The early church met mostly in houses, and also in synagogues and other public forums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seatbelt Blue Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 This is all true. But the Church has, with her God-given authority, taken it upon herself to set aside some buildings as sanctuaries for prayer and worship, buildings that have been built for the purpose and consecrated for the purpose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paladin D Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 I can see it now... [b]*During Mass, a group of tourists get inside the Eucharist line, then when it's their turn, not knowing it...*[/b] "Uh, are these for free?" - Tourist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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