Churches somehow protect from COVID?

[Notthemessiah]

Why am I only allowed to meet one person outdoors when my churchgoing nextdoor neighbours can still meet up with all of their religious friends and family indoors?

Fed up with the irrational exemptions given to religion. Why do people's non-provable beliefs give them special treatment and so put everyone else at increased risk?

I don't really understand what special treatment you think religious people are getting. They're not socialising in there; they're attending religious services. What are they being exempted from? Being banned from attending religious services?

I don't have any time for people defending church services etc going ahead, or people needing to attend them, however strict the distancing is (and it won't be everywhere). This is about doing everything you can to keep infection rates down, like you expect others to do, by staying at home except for absolutely essential activities. If your faith won't get you through these times without potentially putting others at risk then I'm afraid it's worthless. The only possible exception you could cite is feeding the homeless. You know, looking out for the needy, not sitting like automatons staring ahead while someone reads a bit of a sermon or prayer and someone else plays a bit of music. What is even the point of that at this stage?! Just selfish and irresponsible, but unsurprising really.

Places of worship can stay open like a support group because for many they serve a vital function for mental health for a lot of people.

Many of which are very isolated and the only time of the week they get out of the house is to attend their place of worship.

But not all worship places are open regardless they have all taken their own decision.
I would say that they have stricter rules to follow and the majority do follow them.
You can sing at funerals BTW but not general worship.

I think in these very tough times it's important to keep people's mental health life lines available as much as possible such as walks outside, support groups and places of worship.

Just as there are exemptions if people are really struggling, childcare support etc.

Maybe rather than going on the attack of things you focus on things you can do yourself to help you get through these tough times.

@LookToTreblesGoingTreblesGone

BlackeyedSusan you are equally entitled to attend a church service if you so wish.

@Notthemessiah
But not a play. Why is that?

As has been explained. Theatres run for profit. They can't profit on minimal attendance, they'll go bust. Churches/Synagogues/Mosques etc don't run for profit.

At my church there is sanitiser on the door. You're signed in for track and trace. An usher points you to your seat. One way system, no singing etc as others have stated. And we've only had 2 services in church since March, everything else is online.
It's not even remotely similar to a pub/restaurant/gym/shop. It's far more stringent.

I’ve been to the theatre twice recently. It has everything and more that you described.

Health questionnaire emailed in advance. Timed entry. Temperature check and hand sanitiser. Masks worn. Shown to your seat. Bars not open. Drinks are ordered and delivered to your seat. Fresh air ventilation system. Seated within your bubble only. Approx 50% capacity.

Hi op I’m a lurker normally and I’m also a Christian so I thought i should set up and account to post. I will be deregistering when I have posted. I’m sorry you feel this was op and of course the Bible tells us to expect hostility (1 Timothy 3:12). The huge majority of churches are covid secure. Please come this Christmas and see for yourself. For anyone who wants to learn more of become a Christian please follow this link. www.gotquestions.org/eternal-life.html . God bless you all this Christmas.

Having been to the first church service my church put on since March.. YABVU. Sitting in a chair 2m from everyone else. No talking. No singing. Masks at all times. Just listening. One way system and straight out the door at the end, no chatting or mingling whatsoever.

PPs are right. If you think religious services are a right old knees up and a chance to have a good old laugh with your family then why don't you attend one? Literally nothing stopping you, apart from your lack of faith. But churches, mosques etc welcome everyone at any stage in their journey. You don't have a membership card or a subscription like the gym. Just tell your family to meet you there and have jolly good sing song, a hug and a catch up, if that's what you think it's like.

Still waiting to hear why support groups aren't the focus of your anger, the tumbleweed is very telling.

We're quite lucky in one sense as we'll be able to look at, and listen to, DS for a whole hour - because he's a vicar!

I should be going to see Six in 2 weeks time. I can’t even though all the above is in place. The law prevents it. If churches can open I don’t see why theatres can’t.

@DayBath

So why aren't you here having a go at support groups OP, hmmm?

They are allowed to continue but I suppose it's less acceptable to slag off anorexics or alcoholics anonymous isn't it? Don't you want to step up and complain about the massive privilege they have too?

@daybath I actually did not know that support groups were allowed to open too, so thanks for pointing that out. I wouldn't quite lump them in with places of worship, though I can see that for some religion is also a support.

This has all got a little unpleasant, and I apologise for my part in that. I shouldn't have let your original post get to me and I certainly shouldn't have allowed it to give me the excuse to poke (yes I think mildly, you may disagree) at religious belief as that was never the intention here. It was supposed to be purely about special treatment for religion and nothing else.

As has been explained. Theatres run for profit. They can't profit on minimal attendance, they'll go bust. Churches/Synagogues/Mosques etc don't run for profit.

They don’t? Are you sure?

What has theatres running for profit got to do with being allowed to open anyway.

If churches can open I don’t see why theatres can’t.

I'm not necessarily arguing that theatres shouldn't be open, but I would imagine the reasoning (if there is any) is that:
1/ Theatres are classified as entertainment, whereas religious services are not.
2/ Theatres encourage people to travel to them, whereas churches tend to serve only local communities.

Why am I only allowed to meet one person outdoors when my churchgoing nextdoor neighbours can still meet up with all of their religious friends and family indoors?

It isn't meet up. They have to not socialise with anyone not from their household, including on the way in and out. Inside they're sitting separately, and no singing.

Many of the local churches have stayed online anyway, and certainly once we were put into tier 3 (now 4) most stopped any face to face.

@Nocaloriesinchocolate

Our church is only doing online services, and in my view, that's the only safe way.

In our church seating is in pods massively spread out. Its a one way system around the church. No singing. Faces covered at all times.

Even attended my 4 year olds nativity this week in our church. Its physically the safest place I go to

I'm also eternally grateful that our SEN support group is remaining open over Christmas.

I think the church in my village has online stuff. I believe that there was to be a half hour socially distanced carol sing along outside the church earlier, but now been cancelled. But people can go and hang baubles on the tree near the church yard. They also had a few local musicians playing in the church last week, to be viewed on line only.

@Onetimeposter1

Hi op I’m a lurker normally and I’m also a Christian so I thought i should set up and account to post. I will be deregistering when I have posted. I’m sorry you feel this was op and of course the Bible tells us to expect hostility (1 Timothy 3:12). The huge majority of churches are covid secure. Please come this Christmas and see for yourself. For anyone who wants to learn more of become a Christian please follow this link. www.gotquestions.org/eternal-life.html . God bless you all this Christmas.

Thank you. Hostility was never my intention but I let a hostile post get to me, for which I apologise. Regardless of anything else and despite all current circumstances I'd always wish everyone a happy Christmas/Yuletide/winter festival/holidays

@Notthemessiah Thank you for your acknowledgement and I also apologize if I took things too far. Perhaps we can respectfully agree to disagree.

And in all seriousness, churches welcome all, no matter how skeptical they may be. So if you are curious please feel free to attend.

I agree.

Reform synagogues have been closed since March to protect their communities and staff. Churches should do the same. It's totally inappropriate for them to be open now.

I'm an assistant pastor in my spare time, and my day job is teaching. Churches are really safe, lots of distancing, no singing, PPE... polar opposite to schools! However, we have chosen to stay fully online because the more vulnerable and also lonely members of our congregation need that lifeline but shouldn't really be mixing. We just got them all on zoom instead :)

Pretty sure the government doesn't care about any of that though - wasn't it just that they got in trouble for closing religious buildings last time because it turns out the right to worship in one's own religion is protected as a human right?

My bingo card is unticked so far for much of the usual anti- church sentiment present on MN.