Baptists on Their Knees

Baptists have historically minimized bodily movement in worship and prayer out of concern for appearing too charismatic or Catholic, scholars and spiritual formation ministers say.

Baptisms and altar calls and the occasional layings-on of hands are accepted, but kneeling and prostrations and the lifting of hands in praise are frowned upon, said Michael Sciretti, minister of spiritual formation at Freemason Street Baptist Church in Norfolk, Va.