Culture

Depending on where we live, different norms are imposed on us. What I mean by this is that we feel compelled to fit in with the accepted way of behaving, which spills into our daily life in every way conceivable.

Here's an example. I'm afraid I'm going to get a bit churchy now.
Last Friday a bunch of us were at a Christian retreat centre called Ffald y brenin. My wife was taking a study on dance and its importance in worship through self expression. An excellent study, even if i do say so myself. Anyhow the study is way too long to go into here but my point is this.

It would be quite bizarre would it not if Christians went to church to praise God on a regular basis and did not sing or pray or speak to God at all, surely one would wonder why they are going.
Aren't all facets of worship open to us at all times? So why is it that we consider the dancing to be for just for the so called dancers, if we were to expand on this then logically would should conclude that singing is just for the so called singers.
The answer is simple, it is cultural. In Africa it is the cultural norm to dance in celebration, praise and worship, it would be unthinkable not to - an oxymoron.
My countries culture, and in particular the church tries to suppress this need in us, how bizarre.
Christianity is freedom, if it is not then it is worthless.
In the words of Christ: John 8:36
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
A friend of mine goes goes to the same church I frequent and another elsewhere. She is an exuberant and passionate dancer as is her love for God. She was told that her dancing was demonic, and to stop.
Doesn't sound like freedom does it, but it does sound an awful lot like judgment.

FREEDOM