Is this a solely Mormon phenomenon...?

[_Drifting]

The OP is clearly stated and specific.
It also asks specific questions and allows for this phenomenon to exist in other groups, but I personally haven't seen it prevail outside of a Mormon Sacrament meeting.

It is clear, and I have quoted it. Far be it for me to claim what you wished to imply, but your statements were in black and white:

"I have observed a disturbing activity that takes place during Sacrament Meeting that doesn't seem to happen during any other public gathering of any other group."

In your experience, you have not seen this 'phenomenon' occur anywhere else, and you did not allow for it to. Your original question even suggests that it doesn't.

Now if had said "that definitely doesn't" instead of "doesn't seem" then you'd have a point. It is also clear that the OP talks about coupes doing it to each other as opposed to parents doing it to children.

You don't read so good...

[_Gordon]

Now if had said "that definitely doesn't" instead of "doesn't seem" then you'd have a point. It is also clear that the OP talks about coupes doing it to each other as opposed to parents doing it to children.

Of course you didn't say 'definitely', or else why pose the initial query? You were looking for confirmation of your observations. You didn't think it happened elsewhere. Furthermore, are you now trying to say that it's ok for parents/children to rub each others backs, but it's strange (innappropriate?) for couples to do it?

You don't read so good...

I don't read so well...but, yes, I actually read quite well.

[_Drifting]

Now if had said "that definitely doesn't" instead of "doesn't seem" then you'd have a point. It is also clear that the OP talks about coupes doing it to each other as opposed to parents doing it to children.

Of course you didn't say 'definitely', or else why pose the initial query? You were looking for confirmation of your observations. You didn't think it happened elsewhere. Furthermore, are you now trying to say that it's ok for parents/children to rub each others backs, but it's strange (innappropriate?) for couples to do it?

You don't read so good...

I don't read so well...but, yes, I actually read quite well.

I don't recall saying it was 'strange' nor 'inappropriate'.
The word I used was 'disturbing' in the context of me finding it disturbing.
It disturbs me because I have yet to see this behaviour in any other group.
I don't see it at football matches (soccer).
I don't see it at other Church congregations.
I don't see it at the cinema (movie theatre).

In fact, you don't see it elsewhere either.

[_angsty]

I do remember the back rubs in church.

I also remember young engaged and newly-married people getting handsy-- especially during conference broadcasts. My husband and I always made sure to sit behind older people. I just chalked it up to the consequences of being in a sexually-repressive culture. It might have been a territorial/display thing too-- it seemed contagious at times and my Utah Mormon in-laws seem to be in a contest to show how sexually attracted they are to their partners. I was raised LDS, but I wasn't really raised in LDS culture, so I thought it was kind of strange. I get my freak on privately and always assumed that whenever people are making a show of their sexual attraction to each other that it's because there's nothing fun going on at home.

Otherwise, I can't recall that I've ever noticed people give each other back rubs in public, except in chair-massage booths at the mall. I certainly didn't see it in any of the churches I attended post-Mormonism (and that would be quite a few). Of course those meetings were shorter and infinitely more interesting.

Among my friends, I have one BFF with "magic hands" who gives the world's best back rubs. I don't think we've ever done so in public, just while watching movies at home, or while hanging out at parties, or whatever. It wasn't the least bit sexual or territorial, or whatever (he's gay as gay can be and I am a married woman).

Incidentally, I noticed that the guys in singles wards would take turns scratching/rubbing each other's backs in meetings to. My gaydar is pretty damn good. I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure those guys were straight and that it was just a genuine appreciation for a good back rub. Who knows. Looking back, I really was always an outsider.

[_Stormy Waters]

A) You are stuck in a place of almost total mental and sensory deprivation; an LDS church house.

B) You wish to exit that place immediately, but cannot due to social pressures to finish out the most boring hour of your week.

C) Sitting next to you is someone that you love and that loves you.

D) You rub each other's backs to feel something, anything remotely human and life affirming (because God knows you aren't getting it at sacrament meeting).

I imagine that if the same couple were stuck in a prison holding cell or floating adrift at sea on a raft that they would likewise rub each other's backs for comfort and support.

As someone who participated in back rubbing a couple times I agree with this assessment. You're hearing the same joke you've heard ten times, followed by the same lesson you've heard thirty times. It's an atmosphere of desperate boredom.

[_Gordon]

I don't recall saying it was 'strange' nor 'inappropriate'.
The word I used was 'disturbing' in the context of me finding it disturbing.

You're straining at a gnat.

In fact, you don't see it elsewhere either.

People do, and I have substantiated this claim.

[_Yoda]

I don't recall saying it was 'strange' nor 'inappropriate'.
The word I used was 'disturbing' in the context of me finding it disturbing.

You're straining at a gnat.

In fact, you don't see it elsewhere either.

People do, and I have substantiated this claim.

I think that Church, particularly LDS Church, where a couple is in an enclosed area of sitting and being lectured to for 3 hours, is a unique situation. I agree that other situations outside of the LDS Church which create a similar environment may produce a similar result. I think though, that part of the reason you see this activity as a normal part of LDS Church is because it is very acceptable behavior.

Maybe, since we are talking about a conservative Church, a more interestinng question would be WHY this type of behavior is acceptable?

[_Drifting]

In fact, you don't see it elsewhere either.

People do, and I have substantiated this claim.

Only between parents and their children, not between adults.

[_Yoda]

Anyone want to take a crack at my question?

With the LDS Church being such a sexually conservative organization, why is back rubbing, which is a pretty overt public display of affection, so easily accepted as a norm, particularly during Sacrament Meeting?

[_just me]

Anyone want to take a crack at my question?

With the LDS Church being such a sexually conservative organization, why is back rubbing, which is a pretty overt public display of affection, so easily accepted as a norm, particularly during Sacrament Meeting?

To keep the men there and at least partially awake.