I am pretty sure that the VBS's that you go to teach the children to memorize Bible verses. I'm sure that they pray, and sing songs that reinforce Bible studies and offer up praise to God. That is teaching children to be part of the religious practice. If people do not want their children to be participate in Christian prayers, or to sing songs in praise of a deity they do not believe exists, or learn life lessons from Bible stories, they are better off not sending their children to VBS.
Well, there are a few. Some liberal Christian traditions deny the divinity of Christ. I don't think any of them around here call their summer program VBS though. More like "Religious Education" or something similar.
That has been my understanding and experience - no such announcement is made during a regularly scheduled mass. It is only when there are likely to be a large number of non-members presents (such as at wedding or funeral masses) that an announcement is made that "we ask that only members of the church partake of the Eucharist". I think what some others are saying, though, is that none of us have ever heard the priest announce with the words "this is a closed-table communion". We know it's the same thing. We're just saying the TERM "closed table" is rarely if ever used. It's usually said in a different way. And it's not awkward to hear. It's more of a "just in case you didn't know" thing.
I have been studying religion and teaching about religion, specifically about the development of Christianity from the time of Constantine to the Protestant Reformation, for over twenty years. I write about it, teach about it, and research Christian traditions for a living. There are words and terms that are used among professionals in any field that might not be used by a layperson. But I assure you, "closed table" is an accurate term, and you can call up any Catholic theologian you want for verification.
"Personal hell" is an idiomatic expression. I use it a lot too. It is not intended to say anything other than "that's fine for other people but I could not bear to do it". Being an actor would be my personal hell.
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Then boardwu goes on to say and specifically asks you if your church as an open table where everyone is welcome, and you respond with "Absolutely".
PumpkinAngel
So then how can you totally agree with what forlinus stated?
PumpkinAngel
I don't think so, no.
PumpkinAngel
I am pretty sure that the VBS's that you go to teach the children to memorize Bible verses. I'm sure that they pray, and sing songs that reinforce Bible studies and offer up praise to God. That is teaching children to be part of the religious practice. If people do not want their children to be participate in Christian prayers, or to sing songs in praise of a deity they do not believe exists, or learn life lessons from Bible stories, they are better off not sending their children to VBS.
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That has been my understanding and experience - no such announcement is made during a regularly scheduled mass. It is only when there are likely to be a large number of non-members presents (such as at wedding or funeral masses) that an announcement is made that "we ask that only members of the church partake of the Eucharist". I think what some others are saying, though, is that none of us have ever heard the priest announce with the words "this is a closed-table communion". We know it's the same thing. We're just saying the TERM "closed table" is rarely if ever used. It's usually said in a different way. And it's not awkward to hear. It's more of a "just in case you didn't know" thing.
<http://www.ourcatholicfaith.org/sacraments/receivingcommunion.html>
I have been studying religion and teaching about religion, specifically about the development of Christianity from the time of Constantine to the Protestant Reformation, for over twenty years. I write about it, teach about it, and research Christian traditions for a living. There are words and terms that are used among professionals in any field that might not be used by a layperson. But I assure you, "closed table" is an accurate term, and you can call up any Catholic theologian you want for verification.
when kept in context,the communion rite does go something like,"happy are those who are called to his supper" by the priest.
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