Shaking hands

Shaking hands is a part of American and Canadian culture. It is not as ingrained over the rest of the world, but it is certainly a well known and accepted custom. Recently I went looking for the origins of the custom, and while there was no certainty, the probability was that shaking hands originate between two men to show that they were not carrying weapons. Later it became the seal on a contract. But what happens if you don't or rather won't shake hands with someone?

At social political events, shaking hands is almost required. So what happens when a religious leader is invited to such an occasion, in particular a religious leader who won't shake hands with a member of the opposite sex? What should that religious leader do in such a situation? What should he do if he is introduced to a very senior political figure who happens to be a woman? When faced with an outstretched hand, should the religious man place his hands behind his back?

Despite what some people think, we live in the real world. I understand and do my best to respect others beliefs. I would never expect the religious leader to shake my hand. But when NOT shaking hands with a woman is equivalent to not shaking hands with a personal representative of the Queen of England, or the President of the United States, then I believe the religious leader should do a little more thinking before he acts.

This is not a hypothetical example, the event happened. The snubbed woman felt as if she had been slapped. She didn't understand, until later, what was going on, and even after an explanation, she still believes that her office was "dissed". (Not her exact words, but a succinct representation of her feelings.) She has never felt strong support for this particular religion, and the acts of the religious leader just confirmed her opinions. Is this what the religious leader wanted or intended? Certainly not, but it is what happened.

There is enough religious intolerance in this world without encouraging more. I say the religious leader was in the wrong.