Any one else here has ever kissed a ring?

[AngryAmish]

I grew up Catholic. Whenever the Bishop came over to the Parish there was a parade of folks getting in line to kiss his ring. Not metaphorically, literally. I did it a number of times.

Yes, it was completely weird. But it seemed like the thing to do. Hell, I caddied for a bishop, got stiffed and still kissed the ring after.

Anyone else ever do somwthing so crazy and stupid?

[raven mad]

1. Only my wedding band!

I, too, grew up in the Church - but ICK!

[enlightenment]

2. I used to stand

in the foyer and curtsey politely to the diplomats that came to my parent's parties. My little brother bowed. I don't know if I'd call it stupid, but it was pretty 19th century . . . and I'm not quite that old.

[rug]

3. I used to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

I suppose if the flag had a ring I'd have been expected to kiss it.

[hunter]

4. The Bishop used to hide when he saw my mom.

Then we were Jehovah's Witnesses.

But one week the JWs had bouncers at the door and didn't allow our family in. (My mom couldn't put aside her political activism.)

After that we were Quakers.

At this point I'd consider myself a Left Wing Catholic Pacifist and heretic.

My wife and I raised our own kids Catholic, but we live in a fairly liberal and cosmopolitan community.

Our kids went off to college and I'd guess they didn't go to Mass on their own, only when they were visiting family or family was visiting them. They are adults, I won't pry, but other relatives do, both the hard core Catholics, and the radical atheists. Not a fight I want. I saw more than enough family religious warfare as a kid.

We've attended Mass in right-wing communities and that can be excruciating. I'm glad we didn't have to raise our kids in a place like that.

I pretty much see the Church the same as my USA citizenship. There are a lot of things I don't like about both institutions, but both are institutions of my community. I've probably got more influence as an insider than I do as an outsider, so here I am.

[hobbit709]

5. Never have, never will

I bow down to no man or gods.

[Liberal Veteran]

7. Loki begs to differ.

[hobbit709]

8. Loki can go fuck himself.

[Historic NY]

9. Humm......