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

FWIW I would support suspension of communal worship if there was good evidence even "Covid-secure" worship was a significant driver of Covid transmission. But there isn't to my knowledge, and the churches I have been in since worship resumed have all taken infection control measures very seriously.

Absolutely this. We should be closing the minimum possible in order to control the spread and keep everything else open.

As a vicar I ask the same question.
Personally I'm very glad our bishop has told us we should close at present. Whilst I take very precaution under the sun to try and keep people safe in church I do not think we should have special privileges to meet when others can't. Yes there is not meant to be any social interaction at all whilst on church grounds only worship, but for me I think that worship could take place at home. It's the social interaction that makes a church a family and needing to meet. If that isn't taking place (which for safety it shouldn't) services should not be in the building.

@Tiggles
Wise words. That makes complete sense to me.

@Tiggles

Can I ask if you think the sacraments are an important part of Christian life?

@happystone

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

A really excellent point. Amazing how many converts there are every 25th December (unless you are from one of the orthodox faiths) with people needing their bank holiday, loads of food, presents and alcohol to celebrate something they don't even believe in.

Those churches that are open are generally safer than the supermarket - or wherever ese people "need" to go - but there's always an entire bunch of people who haven't set foot in the church complaining about how unsafe it is and how wrong it is.

I do wish people would get lives and stop interfering with everybody elses.

@Flaxmeadow

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

Which place of worship do you mean? Church has always been for everyone who wants to go - or it should be if Jesus's teaching is understood at all...

Have you seen the average c of e church? Large, high ceilings, drafty, and empty! We are certified for a certain number of people, 2m between each family/bubble, no audience participation in the singing. It's the only contact each week for many, think a support group (also allowed). As I say we are certified for a maximum but in reality it's less than half that who attend Christmas aside when it was ticketed.

@Flaxmeadow

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

What do you mean? Everyone is welcome, make, female, young, old, disabled, mental health issues, straight, gay, trans - we have them all - inclusive church means just that!

@CharlotteCollinsneeLucas @movingonup20

"Places of Worship" doesn't just mean Christian churches

Possibly a pragmatic decision to promote racial and religious harmony.

In the first lockdown a lot of hate was directed towards people who attended public worship. The Government might have decided that they were never going to stop people of Faith from worshipping and it was therefore better to allow it.

I think Flaxmeadow is just taking the opportunity to have a dig at Muslims and Jews.

@Flaxmeadow I know, but synagogues and mosques let women in, don't they? Or do you mean you have to convert before they let you inside with some religions?

Yes, women are allowed in mosques and synagogues. Although they are usually segregated.

@MeringueCloud OK, but like I said before; I can't remember seeing any posts in the spring when gyms and pubs were open but churches had to stay closed asking why. Nobody said "but you can drink, eat and exercise at home please open churches instead".

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4002526-Shut-the-pubs-now-to-give-schools-a-chance

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3983489-pubs-or-kids?pg=4

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4047803-Pubs-V-Schools

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4017756-Isnt-it-time-to-close-pubs-and-beauty-salons?pg=9

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3853197-why-are-gyms-still-open

So Jacob Rees mogg can go to mass and cross tiers as he apparently did this week.

A really excellent point. Amazing how many converts there are every 25th December (unless you are from one of the orthodox faiths) with people needing their bank holiday, loads of food, presents and alcohol to celebrate something they don't even believe in.

Given that Christians hijacked the pagan festival of Yule, they are not really in a position to complain.

And Father Christmas grottos were closed. It makes no sense.

@OJCJM

Because God will look after his lambs

Yup.

Or alternatively because no one goes to church much any more.

There would not be the number of Covid cases if everyone had observed the kind of distancing and care that comes whenever I have gone into a church.

@herewardthewoke yes the sacraments are very important to me. But so are my congregation. I'd be heartbroken if one of them felt compelled to come to church and then died as a direct consequence. I have a lifetime to celebrate the sacraments.

Churches were closed in the first lockdown. There is much disquiet amongst those responsible for churches that the government has shrugged its shoulders and said it's on you to decide whether they open or not. Clergy are really stressed feeling damned if they do open and damned if they don't. It's a horrible situation and most don't want picked out for special treatment when really they are in solidarity with their community. Open for foodbanks, community support etc yes, but closed for worship would have been better.

It's better to have worship in public places in a Covid-secure way, rather than drive it underground.
This did happen in November. Christians were "flocking" (MN loves the word "flocking") to some services which were conducted secretly. Perhaps this is one battle the government does not want to fight, given that church leaders have launched a legal challenge.

What do your congregation want to do, Tiggles - live services or streaming?