Stupid Tourists!

[Cesar624]

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!

[Brother Adam]

I think it is kindof ironic that you ask for respect yet say "stupid tourists".

[Jake Huether]

[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.

[Cesar624]

Yeah, you're right Bro Adam - I take it back. I should of said "Disrespectful".

[RandomProddy]

[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

[Fiat_Voluntas_Tua]

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

[RandomProddy]

[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

[Brother Adam]

That is one awesome sanctuary.

[Iacobus]

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.

[VeraMaria]

[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

[Quietfire]

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?

[Thomas Michael]

I bet these tourists are not properly dressed to go wandering around the churches, either.

[NewReformation]

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.

[Seatbelt Blue]

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.

[Paladin D]

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

[annie]

quietfire, do you have pictures of your beloved family and friends in your home? Do you have treasured photo albums, which tell stories of your beloved ancestors?

[Philippe]

[quote name='Paladin D' date='Apr 17 2004, 04:18 PM'] 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 [/quote]
haha good one but hey guys... if they wanna go to the Church more power to them for actually being interested but i do agree the disrespect that [b]some[/b] of them show isnt right but dont steriotype them either thinking that they all do this

[crusader1234]

I was reading in the DaVinci code about people making rubbings off of stuff. That sounded interesting but at the same time it sounds kind of shady and irreverant. I want to do that, but at the same time I dont want to disrespecting the bodies of those people buried there. I think that there isn't anything wrong with photgraphing a church or anything, I just think you have to do so with utmost respect and know what you are taking a picture of. For example, the monstrance is a beautiful thing but probably one of the few things that I think shuold not have it's picture taken just because of what it is. Well unless its just the monstrance without the eucharist.

[cmotherofpirl]

Many tourists do not understand a Catholic church has the Real Presence in the Tabernacle at all times. To non-catholics it is simply an interesting building. Their churches are simply assembly halls.
So its not always disrespect, many times its simply lack of infiormation.

Edited April 18, 2004 by cmotherofpirl

[cmotherofpirl]

When I was at old churches in England we walked around and did brass rubbings etc with the permission of the rectors. Westminster Abbey is a tourist attraction and museum as well as being a church. It does not have the Real Presence, and people just wander all over it.