It was more MY ambiguity!! I was just struck by the irony of the utilization of practices more associated with a specific group of strong convictions and largly lowlander make-up (especially in light of the highlander/lowlander historic animosity) to honor what was THEN (NOT NOW!!!) seen as a highlander symbol, so much so it was outlawed.

The service, the kirkin', is DEFINATELY American (mostly US) in early practice. My own home church has one and I am thinking/working to have one where I serve now. If anyone wants to participate from the Upstate, SC, PM me and we can discuss it.

The most significant part of the service, from a sociological/historical viewpoint is the fusion of different elements of the diverse Scottish culture into a unified "Scottish Culture," combining lowland, highland, and western isles together, as well as the various religious strands in many cases. :confused:

(Off topic-> the downside of this is the bluring tends to obscure the complex cultural factors at work in the decision making processes around events, so that they become confusing and illogical in the resultant simplified history. A few examples are in the events surrounding the ACTUAL King Macbeth ( and Malcolm and Duncan), the Wars of Liberation around 1300, the reformation and the Wars of the Covenant (late 1500s and 1600s), and the Jacobite Rebellions (1689-1745). In ALL of these, I have read very BAD histories that are rooted more in the modern fusion of the Scots, than in trying to understand them as they actually WERE!!! )

I was more noting where things are NOW, especially interesting in light of where they WERE a couple centuries ago. THANKS, Walter Scott!!!

Quote Originally Posted by cajunscot
Evidently I didn't make my last post clear enough -- remember that I said that Presbyertian Minister Peter Marshall was credited with "originating" the service -- Marshall was certainly aware of the Conventicles, since "Covenanter Country" is, in general, SW Scotland. And also, you'll notice that I said that the Kirkin' has not been traced to the days of the proscription, even though "the myth" potrays it that way.

So, my personal opinion, and that's about it, is that Marshall, who was no doubt aware of the Presbyterian faith's history in Scotland, was certainly influenced by the conventicles in his creation of the Kirkin' service, especially since there is really no "Highland equivalent" to the service.

Hopefully that's a bit more clear now.

T.