Quote:
Originally posted by dtb
One is a fundamental belief (taking communion) and the other is a simple gesture reminding the wearer that there "something above him" (i.e., God).
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While I have agreed with you on the yarmulke outcome, if this is actually the reason for asking all people to cover their heads I would have to change my mind. Asking someone to acknowledge even symbolically that another's (or perhaps any) God is "above" him is not OK. That's like curtsying to the british queen - americans don't acknowledge subjection to her, so it is inappropriate for us to do it. However, it is entirely appropriate to expect us to show her respect as a head of state. (Actually, better example - it would be like expecting non-practitioners to kneel during prayers.)
Covering one's head as a general sign of respect to the other participants in the religious service, rather like asking them not to dress like sluts for services, is fine. Asking people to cover their heads as a sign of acknowledgement of or subjection to a God they do not worship is not. The respect owed by the visitor is to the worshippers, not their God.
