How do you perceive handshake with women? Many are of the view that handshake with the opposite sex is not right; especially with a woman who is not their wife.
This practice is in line with the position of some churches where men are not allowed to shake women’s hands. What’s the position of the Bible on handshake? Are there examples from the Holy Book?
Some Christian leaders in an interview with The Guardian newspaper shared different views on the issue.
While some said those who imposed such restrictions on themselves have a reason, others believe that the rule that men should not shake women is in order to impose self discipline.
According to the Secretary General, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja, Rev. Fr. Ralph Madu, there is nothing of importance in greeting among anyone.
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“There’s no way that the church would say men shouldn’t shake women’s hands. These are extreme things. Does it mean that if one shakes hands with women, he goes to hell or what? If someone is suffering from that kind of complicity, it might be better for him not to shake hands with women. To me, there is nothing in shaking women’s hands. You don’t shake a woman’s hand, but you kiss her. That is one problem with our church here in the third world and that is why we are lagging behind”
In his own view, a clergy in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Funso Odesola who is also the Special Assistant to the General Overseer, said shaking hands with women is not forbidden, but embracing someone who is not your wife, is not accepted.
“We shake hands with women, but we don’t embrace somebody that is not your wife. Women are human beings too. The Bible didn’t say we should not shake hands. In fact, there is no place in the Bible where one can find that one should not shake hands, which is a sign of fellowship and acceptance.
Pastor Odesola, added “So to me, the idea of not shaking hands portrays a ‘holier than thou attitude’. The women are not less than men and are accepted into Christ’s fold”
Corroborating Odesola’s view, His Grace, Most Revd (Dr) Solomon Abimbola, Primate, The First African Church Mission Incorporated, Worldwide, stressed that there is nothing wrong in shaking hands with a woman.
“I don’t see anything bad in that. From the onset, those who brought Christianity to Nigeria and the way of exchanging greeting are the British, who are into hand shaking. Since inception, that is the way we have been greeting ourselves in the church. I see nothing bad in exchanging greeting, when you shake a woman as a man”
However, the Church Secretary, Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Jerry Asemota, believes that for one to make success of the Christian Race, then one need to have some self-imposed Discipline.
According to him, it is part of the instructions given in the scriptures about things we should do or shouldn’t do.
“In the scriptures, Paul was writing to the Gentiles, Romans, Corinthians and Ephesians. And in his writing to the Jew who were scattered abroad, he talked about greeting one another with a holy kiss and of course, when you say ‘holy kiss’ that means you are not having any evil intention within you.
“ Don’t forget too that for you to make success of your Christian race, you need to have some self-imposed discipline, which if not done will result in people falling into sin”
In his own opinion, Bishop Olanrewaju Obembe, the Presiding Bishop, El-Shaddai Bible Church, Ikoyi, disagrees with Asemota, said it’s a tradition that cannot be substantiated with God’s word.
“Down through the church age, you find that some church leaders have developed tradition that cannot be substantiated with God’s word. The Bible says “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” which is important. What some churches practice is segregation and that is why men and women don’t sit together there.
He added “I am yet to come across a scripture, where such was stated. In our church, we shake hands and those who feel it would make them impure or corrupt, should know that our santification is not that superficial. It goes deeper than that”
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