Why are places of worship still open?

[TingTastic]

I’m trying to understand why places of worship are almost unique in remaining open this time (the other being nurseries and playgrounds which are more understandable). What drove this decision? Surely there is a risk of transmission with dozens of people being inside together through a service (even if they are socially distanced)? Especially as a decent proportion will be older

Of course there is. I heard a woman being interviewed who stated that "God would protect them" so they seem sorted.

FFS.

And museums and theatres closed. Shows how we value our cultural life v what isn't even the opium of the masses any more.

I suspect it’s because it would be hard to crack down on such mass gatherings without breaching some form of ‘right’ that trumps U.K. laws in the eyes of the worshippers. Religious fervour can be unstoppable. It’s even the reason for wars, would you have it.

But I think we all know that don’t we?

Because God will look after his lambs

Maybe because they generally have very few people in them, they are big so you can socially distance and some people gain hope or solace when they go there. It can be good for the soul.

The same reason you had Christmas !

The same reason you were all given Christmas

(Before Boris changed his mind in some areas)

They were closed over Easter weren't they?

MH reasons, but not in Scotland I noticed.

B&M
Pound-stretcher
PoundLand
Home Bargains
Wilko
The Range

Are all still opening, Can bet my bottom dollar there will be loads of people walking around these shops ‘just because’

The risk is alot higher here!

Bad policy making, that's why

Not sure on England's rules but I'm in Scotland and it was announced yesterday that places of worship are to close here

Yep closed in Scotland, dh will do Friday prayers at home. Not quite the same but what can you do?

A lot of them now have a booking system so only a very small proportion of worshippers can attend in person. The church I go to feels as safe as my own home: massive social distancing. And the emotional benefits of attending when I can are huge. Otherwise, those open churches are being used to broadcast services online which is how most people now ‘attend’ church. They are by no means still ‘open’ in the normal sense of meaning.

In England they're not allowed to be except to broadcast from, hold weddings or funerals (bith with limited numbers)

Churches can hold services in a Covid secure way: very very high ceilings, limited numbers allowed to attend, mandatory registration of attendees for contact tracing, mandatory face masks throughout, hand santising on arrival and departure, no singing allowed, cleaning before and after service, social distancing - these measures will all reduce the risk of transmission to practically nil.

Agree and it's so ironic when you consider that many places of worship don't let half the population in during normal times anyway

Churches are open here in NI too and many of them are a long way from being the huge echo chambers with high ceilings referenced above. There are hundreds of small gospel halls given the same privileges as larger, more airy buildings, so that is something of a red herring. I think it's reckless to allow churches to open when the situation is as dire as it is now. Always this sycophantic pandering to religion.

I've been saying this as well. What makes religion so special?

Some woshippers say that going to church, mosque etc is important for their mental health. I've also heard gym goers upset that gyms are closed because exercise is essential for their mental health. Parents cooped up with toddlers are upset that groups they go to and soft play centres are closed. Everybody else has to find alternative ways of keeping same and taking care of themselves. Religious people shouldn't have special privileges.

I'm happy for these buildings to be open for small weddings, for funerals or to organise services such as closed. But if people believe in a deity then there's nothing to stop them paying and worshipping home.

PS I'm sure my autocorrect is American. It changed "gym goers" to "gun fitters". 😁
Maybe not. It changed "deity" to "dirty". I don't think an American autocorrect would do that.

It’s peoples faith. People can protest go to garden centres bandm ect. We even had mixing at Christmas.,because of faith. Nursery and schools open for Keyworker s although if you look at what is classed as a key worker it’s most of the population. In fact my dog qualifies as a key worker. You couldn’t make it up. He’s a therapy dog,

How many people complain about churches be open had Christmas and mixed and spread

I was raised a Quaker and the meeting house my parents go to is still open. It's def not a lofty church! I can't see how it's safe.

So they have something to shut in Tier 6?

It's important for people to go and chat to their sky fairy in a specific building made from bricks like no other building.
Religion has always caused loads of death, I suppose it might as well carry on.

@happystone I'm complaining about churches and didn't mix at Christmas so I'm not a hypocrite.

I spent Christmas day with dp, dd and elderly MIL who lives alone so is in our bubble which counts as our household. I went round to see my own mum on Christmas Day (and at other times over the holiday) but each time she either wrapped up warm and sat in the porch while I sat on a bench outside or we went for a little walk.

That is it. The closest I got to any other people was in the supermarket.

I'm now back at work with lots of unavoidable contact (primary school teacher) but no unnecessary mixing outside work. I'd still like to know what makes religious worship so bloody special.