The Cost of A Handshake

You know the saying, “when in Rome, do as the Romans”, right?  Well, Switzerland has given new meaning to that old maxim.  Switzerland’s northern canton of Basel-Landschaft follows the national tradition which one reporter describes as follows: “(s)haking a teacher’s hand before and after class is part of Switzerland’s social fabric, and is considered a sign of politeness and respect.”  The tradition became a problem when two Syrian immigrant brothers refused to shake the hands of their female teachers. At first the authorities fashioned a compromise in which the brothers would not shake the hands of the male or female teachers.  This caused a national uproar, which led to the eventual adoption of a law requiring the parents of students who refuse to shake the hands of their teachers to pay a fine of up to $5,050 (5000 francs).

The issue arises from a clash of social custom and religious practice. The Syrian brothers, ages 14 and 16, are devout Muslims and interpret Islam’s ban on having physical contact with the opposite sex (except for immediate family) to mean that they cannot shake the hands of their female teachers.  The social custom advocates say that this breach of tradition will harm the students incorporation into society and run afoul of the goal of creating equality among men and women. The problem of integrating immigrants is not limited to Switzerland.  Germany proposes to require all immigrants who desire citizenship to learn German and follow all local laws and customs. One community in Denmark voted to require public day care centers and kindergartens to include pork in the meat on their lunch menus. (Source: D. Bilefsky, NY Times, 5/26/16)

Should religion bow to social custom or social custom bow to religion?  Paul writes: “Accept the one who is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters”; “…let us stop passing judgment on one another”; “If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.”; “Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.”; “Accept one another…just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 14-15)  The church should “do as the Romans” when Christians are the immigrants, and it should welcome immigrants into their communities without requiring them to adopt traditions which will cause distress and division.  The way of Christ is one of humble service to all people in all places.  Except in matters which are not disputable, e.g. worshiping God alone, Christians should forego their “rights” and “customs” as an act of sacrificial love. Such is the way of Christ. Let’s shake on it. Or not.