QOTW: Visiting other people's churches?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
QOTW: Visiting other people's churches?
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Sun, 02-04-2007 - 12:17pm

Today DH's nephew will be confirmed in the Roman Catholic church.  I'm happy for the kid, but really not looking forward to going.  We don't normally attend church, so I'm leary of how my kids will be able to handle sitting there for upwards of an hour.  The church's ideas are not something I believe in, so I don't relish spending my own time there either.  I'm not angry about it in any way, don't get me wrong; just not looking forward to it. 


Anyway, it got me wondering... how do you feel about attending someone else's religious service, whether it's a completely different religion or just a different denomination?  Do you look forward to trying something new?  Do you try to avoid it?  Does it depend on the reason for being there?


 






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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2002
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 1:03pm

Hi Jodi.....I'm not a church goer at all and the only time I go is if someone I know gets married or of course funerals which I hate terribly and always feel very uncomfortable.


Sandra

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Registered: 07-28-2006
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 1:09pm
Hi Jodi :)
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Registered: 06-27-2006
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 1:24pm

I don't have a problem going to someone else's church, especially for a special event. I like to be supportive of family and friends for something important to their lives. As for bringing my DD to church, we go weekly (and have since before she was born), so she knows how to behave appropriately. It DOES get hairy when the church service lasts longer than an hour though. We just bring lots of quiet toys and activities for her to do though and we try to sit as far back as we can so that she won't be a huge distraction to the rest of the congregation.


When we go to a church that doesn't meld with my personal belief systems, I participate as much as I feel comfortable and then just remain silent when they say a prayer or sing a song that doesn't match my beliefs. I'm not going to pray a prayer or sing a song that I don't believe what I'm saying/singing

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-08-2005
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 1:24pm
I don't mind attending another person's church to see what their religion is like and what their faith is all about.
5yrssm 
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 1:41pm

I'm Roman Catholic and I don't mind visiting other churches. It's nice to learn what other religions do and how they differ from mine...as long as I'm not pressured to go back! LOL


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2001
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 2:06pm

I have attended Catholic mass (I had Roman Catholic cousins, and this was when Latin was still in use), Episcopal High and Low Services (the most popular cleric on campus when I was an undergrad was the priest at St. John's right next door to campus, and my roomie was Episcopalian), Anglican services (in London, weddings mainly) and protestant services (raised protestant, attended Presbyterian and was confirmed Methodist, before they merged with EUB - not real comfortable with how evangelical they are now)...

To be honest, I was never that uncomfortable with any of them, except it was confusing when ritual was different (both Catholic, High Episcopal, and Anglican) or when words or music to hymns were different (MOSt definitely Anglican)...

But I'm not comforable with organized religion in general either...

And I'm not comfortable with hats (Catholic, for sure. Judaism and Islam probably)!

I have never attended Jewish (not even sure it is permitted) or Islamic services (I KNOW it is not permitted, although I have been on a tour of a mosque in Syria), and while I have visited Bhuddist, Confuscian and Taoist temples when we lived in China, I never actually worshipped there...









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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-05-2003
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 3:33pm
I enjoy going to other people's churches.

Vickie

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Registered: 04-23-2006
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 5:36pm

I was brought up forced Catholic so I grew up in churches.

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Registered: 10-06-2003
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 8:05pm

I can't say I look forward to attending different 'events' but I am open to listening and learning new things. I try to keep an open mind and respect another's preferences. You never know when you will be pleasantly suprised ;)


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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2004
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 8:17pm

Hi, Jodi!


I have attended many different churches and usually enjoy it.

AcornLeaves

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