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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think places of Worship should be closed before pubs.

186 replies

StatisticalSense · 01/08/2020 23:03

If it is found that more restrictions are going to be needed to keep the virus under control people immediately jump to pubs and other hospitality venues which are essential to keeping the economy functioning, employ literally millions of people (and support the jobs of millions more), and are beneficial to the mental health of many of their clientele. Places of worship however provide no economic benefit, and are just as much of a vector of spread as people socialise with many others who they wouldn't otherwise see. This means that it would clearly make sense from an economic and societal stand point to close places of worships if this would allow pubs to stay open.

OP posts:
Poppinjay · 02/08/2020 10:33

Places of worship are a great deal less likely to support the spread of COVID than pubs and IMO their impact on mental health is a lot more positive.

Like others, I suspect this thread was meant to promote anti-Muslim sentiment.

SomeWateryTart · 02/08/2020 10:41

@Iwalkinmyclothing

I think pubs are likely to create greater risks than most places of worship tbh. I'm atheist to the point of at times being antitheist and a great fan of alcohol, and I'd rather see pubs close than mosques, synagogues, churches, temples etc.
Ah Jaysus, when the antitheists are arguing for the churches to stay open, you know the OP's argument is dead in the water.

Massive Hmm if this thread was started to have a go at Muslims and Eid. Seriously Angry? Off you trot, back to the Daily Hate where you belong dear.

PopsicleHustler · 02/08/2020 10:54

Here here @WhattheHhashappened

EID MUBARAK:)

PopsicleHustler · 02/08/2020 10:58

Sh05 @sh05
So I presume if you needed to do wudhu again you would have to go home and complete your Salah there then, hence your comment has said washing facilities not open.

PopsicleHustler · 02/08/2020 11:05

Places of worship should be open more than bloody useless pubs
They are more beneficial ie the mosques I know, provide charity, a place to rest and even sleep, lessons and classes for beginners of islam, food, islamic books for free. Even donations for the poor and homeless are kept there as one if the pillars of Islam is to do charity. Same with churches, albeit I am an ex Christian and reverted Muslim but churches provide help and support to my Christian family.
What do the pubs provide in terms of help and support and getting closer to God etc. Absolutely nothing.
They're in there not adhering to the rules, getting bladdered and falling over and hurling in the street, puking everywhere after having a gross kebab. I'm not saying everybody that goes to the pub does that, this is just an example of what I have witnessed on several occasions. No one is wearing face masks. People hugging and dancing. Women falling with their dresses rolled up exposing themselves and I feel so sad for them but they got themselves in that bloody mess. Covid19 will rise because of this.

Mosques should open and it's a place of peace and worship. Bring your own prayer mat and dont be hugging your brothers and sisters in islam , just come to pray to god and go your way home safely and happily. That's what it's all about.

ComeOnBabyPopMyBubble · 02/08/2020 11:06

What do the pubs provide in terms of help and support and getting closer to God etc. Absolutely nothing.

Money, that's what it's all about.

Sh05 · 02/08/2020 11:07

Yes @PopsicleHustler

SweetPetrichor · 02/08/2020 11:08

I disagree. Alcohol lowers/erases the ability to social distance. There’s no issue like this with places of worship. Close pubs.

OddBoots · 02/08/2020 11:14

I only have first hand experience of CofE so I don't know how it i working elsewhere but it has been interesting to see how much risk assessment and planning is happening about the opening. The numbers admitted to buildings is much smaller than the normal capacity and services seem to be being streamed online too so that some will stay at home. This seems to be settling into a system of the isolated and older people can gather and see real people while other who have had more interaction through work/household or who are digital natives watch from home.

SoupDragon · 02/08/2020 11:49

What do the pubs provide in terms of help and support and getting closer to God etc

Closer to God?? News flash: not everyone wants to get closer to something they believe to be made up nonsense. My DS got way more out of his visit to a pub this week then he would from going to church.

JanewaysBun · 02/08/2020 11:52

Places of worship are socially distanced/track and trace/masks/ doors open to keep the air flowing, pubs are erm not.

I do think there should be more outdoor services in non covid times and covid times. I went to the most beautiful service at sunset at a cliff overlooking durdle door and have had wonderful yoga sessions outdoors.

SoupDragon · 02/08/2020 11:56

Places of worship are socially distanced/track and trace/masks/ doors open to keep the air flowing, pubs are erm not.

Yes they are. Apart from masks as it's kind of tricky to eat or drink with one on.

mrsBtheparker · 02/08/2020 12:01

Good luck if you mean all places of worship, most responses seem to assuming only Christian churches!

SomeWateryTart · 02/08/2020 12:05

@SoupDragon

What do the pubs provide in terms of help and support and getting closer to God etc

Closer to God?? News flash: not everyone wants to get closer to something they believe to be made up nonsense. My DS got way more out of his visit to a pub this week then he would from going to church.

Not a news flash at all! I'm not really into church and am agnostic at best.

But, crucially, for those for whom church and places of worship are a benefit, they can be vital services. I've never known anyone feel better off from spending a lot of time in a pub. I do know one woman who was atheist her entire life, laughed her arse off at church services etc. She became very ill with MH issues and alcoholism. She was in a terrible state and one of the things which helped her recover significantly, was becoming religious. She prayed with a minister she had known since childhood but always made fun of because she found his job to be nonsense. He didn't care about that and actually was the one person who helped her the most. I should know, she was my mum! Not sure why I was trying to be mysterious there, but in truth that's what happened. Sadly, the damage was done and she died not long after. But she died at peace and you have no idea what comfort that gives me and how thankful I am for that priest. Again, I'm not really a church person and I am agnostic at best, but that doesn't make me blind to the obvious benefits it can sometimes have. I don't think anyone can seriously argue the same about the pub.

AnneOfQueenSables · 02/08/2020 12:10

When is the last time you went to a place of worship OP? And when's the last time you went to a pub?
Because you don't seem to know how places of worship are being managed during Covid and you seem very far removed from the values of the communities around places of worship.

Youbigdosser · 02/08/2020 12:33

You are being extremely unreasonable. Disgusting comment

Beebie2 · 02/08/2020 12:43

My church is remaining online. It’s a far more inclusive way of my particular church proceeding.

There are always people standing due to the size of the congregation. It would be difficult to decide who could come and who couldn’t each week, and a bit rubbish as on a rota you’d only be able to go approx once a month.

The toddlers, preschoolers, children’s and youth aspect would be a logistical nightmare also. Trying to move 50+ young people and babies from the main service into age groups would be so hard to navigate.

Not only that, those (Churches) opening are only doing so (as far as I’m aware) on Sundays, for about 1.5 hours. They’re very large and well ventilated (drafty!) churches. I know of several operating outdoors.

If we’re making a direct comparison - are you suggesting that pubs open once a week for 2 hours max, with a pre-prepared rota?

RoseTintedAtuin · 02/08/2020 12:46

YABU
I’m not religious and I love going out for a drink. The support provided by places of worship on both MH, spiritual strength, safeguarding the elderly and a practical level far outweigh the benefits of a pub and I suspect support the economy more than is realised.

SoupDragon · 02/08/2020 12:51

But, crucially, for those for whom church and places of worship are a benefit, they can be vital services. I've never known anyone feel better off from spending a lot of time in a pub.

Being able to go to the pub with his friends once a week has been wonderful for DS1's mental health. A sense of normality in what has been a shit end to his time at university. Church offers absolutely nothing.

SoupDragon · 02/08/2020 12:52

@mrsBtheparker

Good luck if you mean all places of worship, most responses seem to assuming only Christian churches!
Most people are referring to the place of worship they are most familiar with.
SomeWateryTart · 02/08/2020 12:53

Church offers absolutely nothing...to your dc. But I'm sure you appreciate that government policy, such as it is, is not designed with one person in mind. Glad your dc was cheered up by the trip to the pub though!

SoupDragon · 02/08/2020 12:55

@SomeWateryTart

Church offers absolutely nothing...to your dc. But I'm sure you appreciate that government policy, such as it is, is not designed with one person in mind. Glad your dc was cheered up by the trip to the pub though!
🙄

You were the one said a pub couldn't offer any benefits like that.

And you can't be atheist and talk about being "closer to god".

SoupDragon · 02/08/2020 12:55

This is ridiculous

SomeWateryTart · 02/08/2020 13:00

I'm not atheist necessarily...probably agnostic. Not sure I believe in God in the traditional sense, but you know.

I actually didn't say that a pub couldn't offer any benefits like that. I said that the life changing, life saving effect I have seen spirituality / religion to have one some people, cannot be gained from going to the pub. Being cheered up by a trip out isn't quite the same thing.

"This is ridiculous"

Tbh, the idea that a pub is a place where people need to go for the wellbeing and MH is, to me a little ridiculous. Assuming they are going there to drink alcohol which can be detrimental to MH at a lower level, even when consumed in small quantities. I'm not totally against booze though - I drink myself. But I would never argue that I do so for my wellbeing, physical or mental health. That is batshit and ridiculous.

Cheeseybites · 02/08/2020 13:03

OP clearly didnt mean churches.
She meant mosques but didnt want to say it straight out.
FWIW I live near a mosque and I've seen people go in with their own prayer mats and masks and theres a limit on numbers going in, wveryday I see people queueing and then loads get turned away.
The op clearly just has an issue with some types of worship and or religion she just wasnt woman enough to say it straight out