To Bow or Not to Bow that is the Question

[saved34]

Obedience is better than sacrifice. If the demand is that I submit and bow and in obedience do so -- not because of demand but because of reverence – then my mind is at peace. But if I bow against my will then it becomes a sacrifice that I do so and my mind is in turmoil. I submit myself as a servant and bow to all, but my inheritance is I own everything. Jesus submitted to authority not because he had to but because he was servant to all.

Demanded is we are to walk in His salvation, It is easy to say I follow the Christ yet quite the other to actually do it. It isn’t an easy thing to give up the right to ourselves and in obedience bow to Him and put on the Christ for ourselves, we want to do it our way and skip the part where we submit and actually walk as He walks and do it His way. His way is not our way, His way is the way of Jesus Christ and to bow to that and put on the Christ as Jesus had the Christ goes against everything we have been taught by man.

I bow not in rebellion to authority but in reverence. This may goad some but -- If the Pope were to stand before me I would bow, or kiss his hand, then try and lead the man to the Christ as Jesus had the Christ, Anointed of God. It is a matter of perspective how we view things.

Joe

It's funny you mentioned the Pope, Joe. I actually thought about that scenario. How would I act if this man were in my presence. I'm pretty sure the pressure of society would be great, all the cameras on you and here is this revered man standing before you. I believe for his sake, and the other people who actually worship him as the vicar of Christ or God on earth, I would have to refuse to bow or kiss his hand. I know he is just a man, but the people who follow him, and maybe even he himself really believes he is God on earth. For that reason I would have to reject the Pope before all. I'm hoping I would even have the strength to deny him a handshake. It's easy to say what I would do online but in person is another whole story. I agree with another poster earlier, if it damages your conscious to bow to another person, then you should not do it. I believe that it is biblical to bow to dignitaries and the like.

[Guest shiloh357]

As an American, I would never bow to any leader (foreign or domestic). I will only make an exception when the Lord returns to set up HIS kingdom.

You would curtsy before Queen Elizabeth, and there is nothing idolatrous in it.

Americans neither bow nor curtsy before anyone. We are Americans and the US doens't bow or curtsy before any dignitary. We are not their subjects or their colonies anymore.

If you were going to meet the Queen personally, you would be instructed on the common way to greet her, which would be to bow if you are a man, or curtsy, if you are a woman. It is the traditional accepted manner in which to greet royalty. Being American doesn't give you the right to toss protocol aside.

Sure it does. I am not her subject. Her subjects bow to her. Americans don't bow to anyone and the rest of the world had just better get used to it.

Then you would be guilty of insulting royalty, as the stereotypical 'ugly American'!

If other heads of state (your president) do it, why do you consider it beneath you? It isn't an act of submission, but of respect of a head of state. I don't believe God is honoured when we dishonour others.

Obama bowed to Islamic despots, not to Queen Elizabeth. Our heads of state have historically NEVER bowed to anyone. When Obama did it was an embarrassment. If royalty is insulted because I didn't bow, that is something they wil have get over. This is not an issue about God. God is not honored when we bow to a human dignitary, he is not dishonored when we don't.

[Guest shiloh357]

Bowing is just a sign of respect. Asian cultures do it a lot in the past (much of the respectful practices was lost with time). In the past (15+ years ago), students use to bow to teachers as they enter the room. Japanese also bow a lot, like from employees to their superior or someone in higher office.

I have learn that Americans also used (like back when US was still 13 states) to greet one another by bowing or curtsy especially by kids to adults.

The OP is about bowing to dignitaries not the kind of "bowing" that is done between people of equal social stature as is done in asian countries.

As Americans, we do not bow to the dignitaries of any other nation, even our own. We do not because of the nature of our liberation from monarchial tyranny.

[Floatingaxe]

The president and his wife bow and curtsy to Queen Elizabeth. Other Americans who are presented before her do also. so, to say that Americans do not do such a thing is false. If your fellow countrymen do it, it is for you to follow suit also as a mark of respect for national leaders.

[Guest shiloh357]

The president and his wife bow and curtsy to Queen Elizabeth. Other Americans who are presented before her do also. so, to say that Americans do not do such a thing is false. If your fellow countrymen do it, it is for you to follow suit also as a mark of respect for national leaders.

No, they don't. In fact, it was a point of controversy that our president bowed to the Arab despots, but didn't bow to the Queen. In fact, our First Lady violated protocol by putting her arm around the Queen as if she was nothing but an old grandmother.

None of our presidents have ever bowed. You have your facts wrong. She is your Queen and you can bow to her if you wish, but Americans don't. I never will, even if expected.

[Floatingaxe]

The president and his wife bow and curtsy to Queen Elizabeth. Other Americans who are presented before her do also. so, to say that Americans do not do such a thing is false. If your fellow countrymen do it, it is for you to follow suit also as a mark of respect for national leaders.

No, they don't. In fact, it was a point of controversy that our president bowed to the Arab despots, but didn't bow to the Queen. In fact, our First Lady violated protocol by putting her arm around the Queen as if she was nothing but an old grandmother.

None of our presidents have ever bowed. You have your facts wrong. She is your Queen and you can bow to her if you wish, but Americans don't. I never will, even if expected.

Yes, I remember that arm thing. Kind of obtuse of Michelle. When they met the queen, they did nod their head in an appropriate gesture, however.

I apparently need to be updated myself! According to actual custom:

It is up to those meeting the The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family to choose whether or not they wish to bow/curtsy or simply to shake hands.

Description of a bow/curtsy for those who choose to make it:

Men: a neck bow - just a little more than a nod of the head;

Women: the right foot is placed behind the left heel, and the knees bent slightly.

It is quite in order to shake hands if the opportunity presents itself and a member of the Royal Family offers to do so.

[other one]

Did you know that there is a square mile in the very center of the city of London that is not part of Briton or the Commonwealth and for the Queen to enter that part of London she has to be met at the border by the Lord of the City of London, bow to him and ask permission to enter his territory?

[MorningGlory]

Did you know that there is a square mile in the very center of the city of London that is not part of Briton or the Commonwealth and for the Queen to enter that part of London she has to be met at the border by the Lord of the City of London, bow to him and ask permission to enter his territory?

What? Are you serious?

[taylor30]

Did you know that there is a square mile in the very center of the city of London that is not part of Briton or the Commonwealth and for the Queen to enter that part of London she has to be met at the border by the Lord of the City of London, bow to him and ask permission to enter his territory?

Is there a website that shows this. I don't doubt you but I would like to read more about it.

[Waiting2BwithHim]

Ok I haven't read all the replies and I'm sorry if this has been asked..

First I want to say that i was expecting different feelings about this but I need to ask this..

In the even that one goes to England , Canada or such and meets royalty what would happen if you don't

bow to them? Do you get thrown in jail?

What could be so offensive to them that you don't believe in bowing to them?

I'm sorry even though that might be custom and others may do that I personally wouldn't.

And shouldn't it be since I am the visitor they are to welcome me? Would it feel like to them I would feel like I was welcomed

by having to start with a custom I don't believe is right?

Do these dignitaries think they are not to be treated like idols?.. Aren't they treated like idols even if in a stereotype sense?

If I said I was meeting the Pope, the Queen of England wouldn't it be natural reaction to be like "Oh my what an Honor, what am i going to wear,

what am I going to say or do?" One doesn't stay their natural self if they are meeting any dignitary. They become a person they aren't for even just the time they are in their presence.

I don't know if I got my point across well but I can't help but feel IMO that bowing before anyone isn't a good thing when it comes to Jesus being first, middle and last of all things of mankind.

I don't know why the simplest words of Hello it's nice to meet you wouldn't be suffice all over the world.