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Do you refuse to attend religious ceremonies of family and/or friends? Do you go (and therefore support) christenings, baptisms, communions, bat/bar mitzvahs, Quncieras, marriages, etc.?

swf44nc 5 June 10
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23 comments

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9

Of course I do. My point of view has nothing to do with their joy or sadness. The idea is to celebrate with or support the grieving. Its selfish to do otherwise.

Yes, this!

8

I would definitely attend a religious family function to support my family. It does no harm to me in doing so.

And this too!!

5

Quinciera is religious?
It depends on how important that person is to me. Marriages, funerals yes always. Everything else depends but probably not.

4

I've been avoiding most of them. Even weddings. I used to think I had some sort of obligation to attend these things. I don't anymore.

3

No, I don't refuse to attend, my attendance reflects my affection for family or friend.

Tomas Level 7 June 10, 2018
3

In my opinion, it also appears arrogance exists on both sides.

2

Go to weddings, funerals and debating on my religious cousin's daughter's Bat Mitzvah next year. I'm not driving out of town these days.

2

I have attended religious ceremonies, primarily weddings and funerals. The last one was my mother's funeral at the catholic church that I used to attend. Next month I will be attending a wedding for my wife's niece, which will be at a church. Some 25 years ago I stood in as "godfather" for my nephew at his baptism. I wasn't even the actual godfather. That was my sister's good friend who was too ill to attend and so I stood in for him. I put my own feelings aside to be there for family and friends. I don't have to participate, I don't have to go to confession or communion or sing any hymns. I do have to hold my tongue sometimes, though.

2

I'm seldom invited or expected to attend religious events anymore, as the trend is for non-religious events, but for those few I have, it's a case by case decision. I have skipped the religious portion of baptisms and weddings and gone just to the post church event celebration instead.

For funerals, I usually do attend and am respectful when the funeral reflects the loved ones true religion, but get silently angry when it's a religious funeral for someone who I knew was not religious. As was the case for my parents funerals... made me angry enough to start my own funeral celebrant and wedding officiant service, as a more inclusive option.

2

I'll attend things if it means a lot to my friends and/or family, but I really resent those people who think everyone wants to attend their outdoor summer weddings in Texas.

Hermit Level 7 June 10, 2018
2

Why would I refuse to partake in a celebration of life simply because I wouldn’t celebrate that way?

2

It's been years since I've attended anything other than a funeral. If I were to attend a wedding it would be on a case by case decision but I can't imagine going to anything else.

gearl Level 8 June 10, 2018
2

no

btroje Level 9 June 10, 2018
2

I go along with them to support family..not to validate the Dogma.

To me it's just a venue.

2

Funerals are about it, everything else I pass on.

2

No

Marine Level 8 June 10, 2018
2

I do not attend religious ceremonies unless you are referring to a funeral service then, yes. I would and have attended.

1

Yes of course!! lol! I celebrate with my friends and family. I respect all beliefs including mine. I find it what makes them feel good and gives them peace of mind.

yaya87 Level 5 June 14, 2018
1

Just because I attend a religious even doesn't mean that I support all of the rituals. I'm attending the event because I support the family member or friend who is going through a ritual that means something to them.

1

I've gone to funerals, lately, one consequence of getting older. I will also go to weddings, tho if religious will try to limit myself to just the reception. I avoid all other religious ceremonies if at all possible, Tho I may visit the family, if I'm close, after the ceremony. All the people that would feel close enough to invite me in the first place know I'm an atheist & know I won't support the "rite", tho I support them as friends. I try to look at most "laymen" as potential atheists so don't figure being confrontational just for the sake of confrontation advances 'the cause'. I have an "Atheist Atom" tattoo on my right forearm & wear atheist or science themed t-shirts often (will be showing my collection soon!), so have never hidden my position, but I am also just a human trying to make his way in this screwed up world, I won't fault those that try to find solace, as flimsy as I may think that is!

1

"(And therefore support)" ??? You need to let go that bitterness and resentment. It will destroy you not them. ?

1

Since i haven't been invited to any of that in years, it hasn't been a problem. I don't think I would go if i was invited.

1

I don’t support the events, I support my friends and family. To word it in a way that assumes my attendance supports the religion or its rituals is ridiculous.

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