Okay so this just happened . . .

So I'm in Seoul and I decided to go their "Mangdung" (I pronunced it wrong) Cathedral - Apparently it's the first church and has and awesome church Piano.

So I walk in, evening time and everything (The prayers) are in Korean. I get that.

Then it seems like everybody starts walking up to the priest and he gives out this little white token.

I get the token (I'm going to assume it's a blessing) and then I start to walk away. Then this old Korean lady taps me from behind and tries to take my token away. It felt so good to receive it (I'm not christian or religious) and then she just took it away and started doing the 'no' with her hands. Everyone else was so nice and as I was walking away feeling so inspired and then old lady took it away. Did I do something offensive.

Like I said, sorry not religious or christian but did I break like a rule or something?

Sorry in advance. Thx!

PS: I know since this is BHW I'm going to get some hilarious responses but I would love to know the real reason behind the white token (Looked liked a coin) and what was I suppose to do with it. I saw ppl leaving with it just fine.

If I were to guess, you're a foreigner and entered a religious building which means it's inhabited by people who care about what they believe in. Having someone random walk in and get that white token who doesn't even know what it stands for may have been humiliating in a way, or at least for the (often times more religious) older generation there.

that sounds like communion and that token if was no reason to take it off you ,

Oh I see . . . Yeah well that kind of sucks! I thought a church is suppose to be a place of 'LOVE' and 'ACCEPTANCE'. K I got it. Sad . . . Thx for the reply btw. Sad . . .

Overall I had a great time though so it's all good.

Token? Wasn't it an edible, round-shaped wafer?

Now you got me interested.. Anyone know what the token is and why OP's token was taken back? lol

Also why would you let the old lady take your token? It was given by priest and not the lady? Did you report to the priest? so many questions.

umerjutt00 said:

Now you got me interested.. Anyone know what the token is and why OP's token was taken back? lol

Also why would you let the old lady take your token? It was given by priest and not the lady? Did you report to the priest? so many questions.

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I believe it was this: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramental_bread

alrightythan said:

Oh I see . . . Yeah well that kind of sucks! I thought a church is suppose to be a place of 'LOVE' and 'ACCEPTANCE'. K I got it. Sad . . . Thx for the reply btw. Sad . . .

Overall I had a great time though so it's all good.

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they are supposed to be, i wouldnt stress if it was communion she should just have let you have it , supposed to eat them etc

HoNeYBiRD said:

Token? Wasn't it an edible, round-shaped wafer?

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I swear I did this . . .

When that lady tapped me, I turned around and she's like holding her hand out to give back the token, I literally pointed at my my mouth while holding the token. Gesturing to eat it. I truly thought it was like a 'blessing' that I'm suppose to eat. Then she waved her hand back and fourth like a giant NO and I gave it back. I should have said 'cumsomida' which mean thanks but yeah . . . some ppl even saw me give it back. Embarrassing but hey . . . it wasn't me who missed the point in that place.

HoNeYBiRD said:

I believe it was this: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramental_bread

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OMG that's exactly what it was. So I was suppose to eat it and I was right all along. I probably picked it up from the movies or something. Maaaaan! Why would someone be so mean? Sad . . .

alrightythan said:

I swear I did this . . .

When that lady tapped me, I turned around and she's like holding her hand out to give back the token, I literally pointed at my pointed while holding the token. Gesturing to eat it. I truly thought it was like a 'blessing' that I'm suppose to eat. Then she waved her hand back and fourth like a giant NO and I gave it back. I should have said 'cumsomida' which mean thanks but yeah . . . some ppl even saw me give it back. Embarrassing but hey . . . it wasn't me who missed the point in that place.

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years ago you would say amen and the priest would place it on your tongue these days its placed in your hand then you eat it , still say amen and bless yourself , she proberbly guessed you had never made your communion

alrightythan said:

OMG that's exactly what it was. So I was suppose to eat it and I was right all along. I probably picked it up from the movies or something. Maaaaan! Why would someone be so mean? Sad . . .

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Wikipedia identifies that as a Catholic church. Things may be different now but it was not permitted back in the day to receive communion unless you are a member of the Catholic faith.

She was probably just making sure that you did not violate that rule and actually doing you a favor as that is considered a sin in their eyes.

Don't sweat it; you had an otherwise nice experience.

BassTrackerBoats said:

Wikipedia identifies that as a Catholic church. Things may be different now but it was not permitted back in the day to receive communion unless you are a member of the Catholic faith.

She was probably just making sure that you did not violate that rule and actually doing you a favor as that is considered a sin in their eyes.

Don't sweat it; you had an otherwise nice experience.

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Okay got it - Thx! I still don't understand how she knew if I was or wasn't but I appreciate this.

alrightythan said:

Oh I see . . . Yeah well that kind of sucks! I thought a church is suppose to be a place of 'LOVE' and 'ACCEPTANCE'. K I got it. Sad . . . Thx for the reply btw. Sad . . .

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The key point here is that there's a difference between being lovable / worthy of acceptance and being an entitled snowflake.

An now for the lesson In religious theory, the Eucharist is a literal miracle that transforms the bread from ... bread into the body of Christ (...and they eat that...) - similarly for the wine which changes to the blood of Christ (and they drink it). Even the members of the Church aren't supposed to just go there and eat and drink. There's a process they need to follow through the week and they must have gone through Confession.

Obviously, only a small part of the devout follow the rules. But for those who do, you strolling in casually like an outsider and taking part in the Eucharist was a big faux pas. That's why the old lay stopped you.

lol that token, its ok man, people there should have understood that you don't know what's going on

They were giving out bitcoins and she realised it was on a bull run so she jacked yours bro