drevyev wrote:
I wonder who has looked at the history of pews. I know that in old churches in New England, they have little "box seating," with fairly tall separators. I heard that a main reason for the sections was heating; each section could have a little heater.
------------------------------------------------------
Standing is a symbol, and symbols' meanings change over time and in different cultures. I get the feeling that nowadays standing during the whole church service makes as much sense to most people as standing to type at work. In our world, one shows respect by listening and being nice, rather than the outward sign of standing and sitting.
Reguarding the \"sectionall pews\"...really, they were more for \"fundraising\" or \"profit\" to the church. In New England, the way a congregation was organized was that the wealthiest families own/rented the pews closest to the \"alter\", the less affable held pews further back. And the poor and slaves held the chairs in the back of the church (if there were any), or the benches up in the choir loft area. So, they weren\'t really set up for the comfort of the church goers, it was more a \"class statement\"...the wealthy had their own pews, and the less fortunate had to make due, or stand.
And as far as things changing in culture and time...this is one thing, I\'d have to say, that has sadly changed in our society. But as Christians, we are commanded in the Bible to stand when in prayer even. There are two postures that God or the prophets prescribe when one is either praying to, or witnessing, God...those two honorable postures are fully prostrate, or standing \"reverantly\" before God. So, the inovation of tons of pews in our churches teaches against such scripture. So, ultimately, it\'s a sin, especially in those churches where the young, healthy members outnumber any crippled or elderly. I\"m not condeming those who have them, only God can decide where that judgment stands...just saying, really, it\'s a slight against what the Bible tells us explicitly to do. ::shrugs::
