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Original poster

Churches somehow protect from COVID?

225 replies

Notthemessiah · 19/12/2020 17:03

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?

OP posts:
MeringueCloud · 19/12/2020 19:58

@LangClegsInSpace

Because it's happening at christmas and there are 26 CofE bishops sitting in the house of lords.
Easter is the most important time of year for Christians and churches were not allowed to be open then.
Stupidtapping · 19/12/2020 20:01

My church had planned on 5 carol services running tomorrow. All been cancelled and moved online now as even though they have done absolutely everything possible to be covid secure (much, much more regulated than a shop) they felt it was the responsible thing to do. No in person services are now going ahead over Christmas at all.

They are, however, still delivering hundreds of meals to people living alone on Christmas day in my town, and the vicar is on the phone to people who are struggling all day every day. They also run a food bank and homeless services, bereavement support, hospital visiting etc. Places of worship can't be compared to pubs and theatres IMO.

DecemberDiana · 19/12/2020 20:03

I couldn't believe this.

Warsawa31 · 19/12/2020 20:04

It's not just churches tho is it op ? It's all places of worship - why did you aim your anger at mosques

andannabegins · 19/12/2020 20:04

My DP's have been doing as they are told and isolating pretty much since March. The mental toll on them is horrific. They go to church. They don't have the internet so can't do it online, they all sit well away from each other have strict rules about singing and need their fellow parishioners. All these people who will break the rules over and over again and my parents just want to go be with someone and be at church on Christmas Day. No it won't stop covid but for fucks sake these people are so lonely

Dyrne · 19/12/2020 20:07

I agree OP. I was absolutely gobsmacked when I saw that places of worship were allowed to stay open in Tier 4.

I think PP have missed the point when they’re talking about how COVID secure they are, how they provide an important mental health lifeline to people, how they support communities.

All of that is true; but it’s also true for so many other things that have been forced to close - so the original question of why The government made such an arbritrary decision still stands.

katy1213 · 19/12/2020 20:08

To be fair, theatres were open in Tier 2 - perfectly safe and socially distanced. I've no desire to go to church but it's just another performance, isn't it?

hansgrueber · 19/12/2020 20:10

@OneRingToRuleThemAll

In my church the one way system is better controlled than the supermarket. In one door, directed to seat and out the other door. No mingling and no passing anyone elses distanced chairs. Toilet is one way through a third door, with cleaning stuff inside to wipe down before and after.
You lucky person to be allowed into the toilet! With us it's a last minute pee before leaving the house and fingers, and maybe legs, crossed! There's no after service mingling or diabolical coffee, bliss.
Comefromaway · 19/12/2020 20:10

@katy1213

To be fair, theatres were open in Tier 2 - perfectly safe and socially distanced. I've no desire to go to church but it's just another performance, isn't it?
Yup
DecemberDiana · 19/12/2020 20:10

I think it's the idea of being tier 4 because of a more transmissible strain but allowing churches .. it makes no sense.

Fieldofyellowflowers · 19/12/2020 20:11

They are, however, still delivering hundreds of meals to people living alone on Christmas day in my town, and the vicar is on the phone to people who are struggling all day every day. They also run a food bank and homeless services, bereavement support, hospital visiting etc. Places of worship can't be compared to pubs and theatres IMO.*

This.

Comefromaway · 19/12/2020 20:12

@Fieldofyellowflowers

They are, however, still delivering hundreds of meals to people living alone on Christmas day in my town, and the vicar is on the phone to people who are struggling all day every day. They also run a food bank and homeless services, bereavement support, hospital visiting etc. Places of worship can't be compared to pubs and theatres IMO.*

This.

None of which requires communal worship to be open.

All of which is also done by other organisations whose normal operations have had to close.

ThanksItHasPockets · 19/12/2020 20:12

Praying for you, @NameChange84 Flowers

jollyunicorn83 · 19/12/2020 20:16

@NameChange84

I was suicidal today. My priest spoke to me at a 3metre distance, both masked and he listened, prayed with me, everything I said was in total confidence. He saved my life and I was able to pray in front of the blessed sacrament which brought me massive comfort.

No pub or football club could have done this for me.

Places of worship are a vital lifeline for many. I’m only 36. I’m alone. I’m shielding. For so many people their only real community is their place of worship. It’s not a party. It’s not a booze up. For some people, faith is an integral part of their lives and one they’d die without.

I'm so sorry you are going through this and I'm so glad you have someone who can listen and help you. I couldn't scroll on past this post Thanks
Stupidtapping · 19/12/2020 20:17

"All of which is also done by other organisations whose normal operations have had to close."

What organisations that carry out these services have had to close?

I actually agree that I don't think church services should be going ahead (as does my vicar obviously having cancelled all the services) but I just don't think you can compare churches to pubs, shops and theatres.

Comefromaway · 19/12/2020 20:20

U3A group

Local community cafe (which finances a food bank and community help service)

Rotary Club

Etc etc

MeringueCloud · 19/12/2020 20:23

Well, in early summer pubs, shops and reataurants were allowed to open but not places of worship. Did any of you who think churches should be forced to close now protest against this "unfairness" at the time?

Witchcraftandhokum · 19/12/2020 20:24

Yes churches are magically protected in the same way schools are.

Fieldofyellowflowers · 19/12/2020 20:26

@Comefromaway

But that decision wasn't down to Christians. The government made it. For what it's worth, I'm not convinced that places of worship in tier 4 areas should be open either.

MassDebate · 19/12/2020 20:26

@NameChange84 Flowers, I am glad you found help and hope you continue to do so. Your post illustrates so clearly one of the vital supports provided by our churches, and some of the vitriol displayed toward them (and Christianity) on this thread is shameful. Funny how atheists talk of tolerance yet often show an absence of it themselves.

OP, do you think vicars/priests are happy to be exposing themselves to the risk of covid day in day out? Do you think they enjoy carrying out funerals for those who have lost loved ones and who are not allowed to comfort each other due to government restrictions? Carrying out last rites to those dying in hospitals and care homes? Do you think they enjoy being the only source of comfort to some of their elderly congregation members who are otherwise painfully lonely? Perhaps if you overcame your own prejudice toward churches your eyes might be opened to the wider role in society they play outside your narrow view of the turgid Sunday service.

Comefromaway · 19/12/2020 20:28

[quote Fieldofyellowflowers]@Comefromaway

But that decision wasn't down to Christians. The government made it. For what it's worth, I'm not convinced that places of worship in tier 4 areas should be open either.[/quote]
Oh I agree. The same government that have constantly thwarted schools and teachers requests to make schools safer.

Toddlerteaplease · 19/12/2020 20:36

Every church I've been in since this started, has been absolutely anal about observing the Correct procedures. And it's Christmas. The clue is in the name.

Toddlerteaplease · 19/12/2020 20:37

My church does more cleaning than the hospital I work in!

DecemberDiana · 19/12/2020 20:38

I had hoped hospitals might have got cleaner due to covid!

Original poster
Notthemessiah · 19/12/2020 20:42

@Toddlerteaplease

Every church I've been in since this started, has been absolutely anal about observing the Correct procedures. And it's Christmas. The clue is in the name.
Others call it Yuletide, or the winter festival, or just the holidays but I really don't want to get into the usual discussion about which groups first started a midwinter celebration and frankly it doesn't matter what anyone calls it.
OP posts: