Cultural Question

Billy n NC · Postby **Billy n NC** » September 6th, 2009, 6:39 pm

Hello Jude2 family.

Not sure if I have mentioned this but in the past few weeks a local independent church (after about 3 months discussion with our pastor) has decided to call our church home.

There are about 40-50 + in the group. They are an historically black church. I did see one bi-racial couple today.

We will be moving into our new church building within the next 4-6 weeks. We are excited.

Okay here is the question.

I have seen this before when visiting historically black churches.

Whenever a person gets up and goes out. (maybe to go to restroom) they hold 1 finger up. Index finger to be exact.
This is male and females doing this. Usually they are over 40 years in age.

WHY? do they do this?

paul · Postby **paul** » September 6th, 2009, 7:09 pm

It is a form of simply saying excuse me. In some cultures peple will slightly bend and hold both arms to their side slightly in front of them. Same purpose, excuse me, pardon me.

one love · Postby **one love** » September 7th, 2009, 9:39 am

Billy n NC wrote:Hello Jude2 family.

Not sure if I have mentioned this but in the past few weeks a local independent church (after about 3 months discussion with our pastor) has decided to call our church home.

There are about 40-50 + in the group. They are an historically black church. I did see one bi-racial couple today.

We will be moving into our new church building within the next 4-6 weeks. We are excited.

Okay here is the question.

I have seen this before when visiting historically black churches.

Whenever a person gets up and goes out. (maybe to go to restroom) they hold 1 finger up. Index finger to be exact.
This is male and females doing this. Usually they are over 40 years in age.

WHY? do they do this?

Are you all ready for the floors yet? Hope all is well brother.

Billy n NC · Postby **Billy n NC** » September 7th, 2009, 2:16 pm

one love wrote:Are you all ready for the floors yet? Hope all is well brother.

We are getting closer. Got a couple of inspections to take place. and then its all down hill. LOL

Give Ms Elizabeth a call this week.

Postby **Shellie** » September 7th, 2009, 3:16 pm

paul is correct, Billy. It simply means "excuse me" and us "white" folk could learn a lesson from it. :wink:

free · Postby **free** » September 7th, 2009, 4:31 pm

Just curious, what lesson could we white people learn by holding up our finger when we exit the sanctuary or move around? Does it draw any less attention to you by holding up a finger? I heard Cathy Payne preaching one time about this very thing and how people think it makes them "invisible" when they hold up a finger and move about...She said "you're not invisible, we still see you." :lol:

MacUser · Postby **MacUser** » September 8th, 2009, 3:34 am

Congrats Billy on a great problem to have...

Jude 2