Here's an interesting question for Catholics...

[deevergote]

I was raised Catholic, and I've never seen anything like this before.

My friend is a wedding photographer, and he shot this wedding. During the ceremony, the priest asked everyone to stand up and raise their right hands... you know, Nazi-like. I've never seen this. Has anyone else?

Here's a pic:

[bobbycos]

where did he take this pic? (location)

[deevergote]

I'll have to ask. He's in my area, so most likely souther NJ or southeastern PA. It was definitely an American wedding.

[agol]

yeap i went to catholic high and middle school. This is usually involved in a ceremony when someone is becoming inducted into a church or high political position (that is a catholic). It is not a hand motion as used by hitler, it is in fact used because the catholic priest puts his band on the shoulder behind the person being anointed and it is basically saying "im here for you". nothing nazi-like.

[agol]

p.s. we did this when the new president got inducted for our high school.

[deevergote]

Ah, ok, cool. My friend was convinced that the priest was nuts.

[agol]

haha yeah it is kinda funny cause the guy that was getting inducted as president had a hitler stache. me being a sophomore in high school was of course like half lmao/wtf. its just normal inductee stuff as a catholic. plus catholics were persecuted in the holocaust. pretty sure they wouldnt want anything to do with hitler or the nazi's.

[bobbycos]

yeap i went to catholic high and middle school. This is usually involved in a ceremony when someone is becoming inducted into a church or high political position (that is a catholic). It is not a hand motion as used by hitler, it is in fact used because the catholic priest puts his band on the shoulder behind the person being anointed and it is basically saying "im here for you". nothing nazi-like.

ok

[TheFirstNutZo]

I've never seen that specific to the right hand, but its very common to see a lot of people holding one hand outstretched towards a person or couple with their heads bowed. They are praying for/over the person.

Much like laying hands on a person to bless them, only this doesn't include touching and makes it easier for more people to pray over someone.

Can't say I've seen catholics do that much though, its more common in the non-denominational and pentecostal churches.

[Ralphie]

AGOL is right.

It is just basically raising your hand, nothing to do with the Nazi's.

[deevergote]

Yeah, I wasn't actually suggesting a Nazi meaning... it's just that Nazis are the ones that are most commonly associated with that motion. It's certainly the first thing that popped into my friend's head!

[wed3k]

i once wrote an essay on how Hitler did good for germany...the teachers in high school didnt like it very much.