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Places of worship

9 replies

madnessitellyou · 24/05/2020 15:07

I’ve been pondering this after a very frustrating conversation with my very religious mother. (I’m not btw)

My mother’s place of worship is the most important part of her life. Nothing else comes close, even her husband (my dad; religious more because of tradition rather than observance ikswim) her only child (me) or her two grandchildren. I missed out on so much as a child because of this. When I was pg with dc2, I was due to be induced on the day she normally goes. She said there was no way she could not go that week, none at all, and this was not a good enough reason. Mercifully dc2 arrived at a different time.

Anyway, my mother thinks it’s outrageous that her place of worship isn’t open, and they are thinking of online worship. She thinks this is an absolute disgrace. When I said that if the government said they couldn’t open, then they couldn’t open. She raged at me!

So as not to drip feed, my mother is supposed to be shielding (has a letter which she denied for weeks) but thinks that’s nonsense and as she feels fine it doesn’t apply to her.

OP posts:
FlibbertyGiblets · 24/05/2020 15:11

Probably best to direct her to her pastor/minister/vicar/priest in future. Also divert convo away from religion where possible. Do remember that she had no obligation to look after dc1, try to let that simmering sense of unfairness dissipate.

PurpleDaisies · 24/05/2020 15:14

Most of my Christian friends and everyone I’ve talked to from my church totally understand why we can’t meet at the moment. Online church isn’t ideal but it has to do for now. I’m surprised your mother’s church hasn’t already started online. Loads have.

Your mother has quite an extreme attitude that I haven’t come across. I wouldn’t make generalisations about what other religious people think based on her.

fallfallfall · 24/05/2020 15:21

There is talk where I live to open places of worship (which are generally built huge) multiple days of the week so small groups (our limit is 50) are able to attend, while maintaining social distancing. This may give her hope.
Whether she feels at risk or not is a different matter.

bluefoxmug · 24/05/2020 15:41

or this one closer to home

www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52786242

Redolent · 24/05/2020 16:14

Yes to the poster who posted links. Places of worship are absolutely notorious for transmitting the virus.

madnessitellyou · 24/05/2020 16:45

Thanks for the links - I may send them to her.

She’s very anti-internet and technology in general. If she at least tried to embrace she’d maybe see that it’s a way to make some aspects of this a little more palatable.

My example of her refusing to look after my dc while I gave birth because she’d have to miss worship once that year was just to demonstrate that her religious observance takes precedence at all times (she never babysits or in has given any help with childcare which is the way it is. I don’t expect the help btw. I don’t even ask as the answer would be no).

OP posts:
Pipandmum · 24/05/2020 16:52

So she hasn't embraced the streaming of services? Too bad as she could have an the opportunity of exploring different churches/synagogues (or whatever) to hers - I don't mean a different religion. And I'm surprised hers hasn't already started doing this.
I've just seen a video from a local catholic church on how members can attend mass when they are allowed to resume services. Hopefully she will be able to go back to her own soon.

StrawberryJam200 · 24/05/2020 17:00

Does she know that St Paul told us to pray for those in authority, and to "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's"?

On a different tack, has she tried the CofE's phoneline for hymns, prayers and a short service? It's apparently very good.

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