Can a Muslim attend Midnight Mass?
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Anonymous
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My bf is christian and wants me to attend Midnight Mass with his family. I don't feel so comfortable.
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Anonymous
| Yes, just don't take communion. |
Anonymous
| Muslim here. Why aren't you comfortable with it? What's the concern? |
Anonymous
As in I'm muslim and don't believe Jesus is son of God. Will it be against my faith to attend a church service where he will be referred to as such? |
Anonymous
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Everyone is welcome to Mass. As the PP said, don't take communion (not because you're Muslim, but because you aren't Catholic in "good standing" - there are lots of Catholics who shouldn't be taking communion too). You can either just wait in the pew (step out so people can get by) or go up, cross your arms over your chest, and you'll receive a blessing rather than communion.
You also don't have to kneel (fine if you want to), if you don't, lean forward a little bit so the people behind you aren't right up in your neck 
You should definitely go - if you are serious about this boyfriend, sounds like his faith is important to him. You will have to figure out how to have your faiths co-exist, and it's easier if you start earlier than say "We'll figure it out if/when we get married." He should also be participating in your faith with you to some degree. If you're not serious about him, well - then who cares either way? |
Anonymous
| You would be most welcome. But whether you feel comfortable there is up to you. View it as a culturally enriching experience, rather than a worship service. |
Anonymous
This. Near the end everyone will go up the alter to take communion, and you can just stay seated. Otherwise, just follow their lead for standing, sitting, kneeling. |
Anonymous
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Of course. Most of it is sitting and standing. When the congregation kneels, it's acceptable to stay seated. Don't go up for Communion, and don't worry since you won't be the only one. When it comes time for the exchange of peace, you can simply shake hands and say "peace" or "peace be with you" to those around you.
Midnight Mass is usually quite lovely, lots of candles, choir singing. We don't go since we have little ones, but if you could chalk it up to a cultural experience it might be interesting for you. I'm not Jewish, but know it was interesting for me to attend a friend's bat mitzvah many years ago, nor are we Mexican but very much enjoyed a quincienera that we were invited to. Happy Holidays. |
Anonymous
Do you have a relationship with your Imam, can you talk to him about it? I really think you need to be rethinking this relationship if you're concerned it's against your faith to go to one of the church services. If it's against your beliefs/how you interpret the Koran, then just being in a relationship with him is probably against that version of your faith too. |
Anonymous
| I'm not Christian or Muslim, but I'd say anyone is welcome. You don't have to participate. BUT if you really feel uncomfortable, politely decline to attend. If I were you, I'd treat it as something you do because your bf's is important to you (if he indeed is) and as a cultural/anthropological study. |
Anonymous
My bf and I are very respectful of each other's faiths and we're not super religious. He only goes to church on Christmas Eve with his family and he wants to include me in their tradition. For Eid, he takes me out to nice dinners but I've never asked him to attend a Mosque with me...I don't want him to feel exposed to stuff he may not want to hear etc. |
Anonymous
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OP, I am a practicing Christian and I have been to Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu religious services...not to mention more Christian services than I can count where I didn't agree one whit with what was being preached as gospel truth. Its a cultural experience. Your presence is not an endorsement, but a mark of respect for your BF, if you are comfortable going. There are couples at my church where one spouse is Christian, the other Muslim, and the Muslim spouse will come a couple times a month just to be part of the community. As PP said, don't take communion, which in most congregations IS a mark of being Christian, and accepting Jesus.
I would say that if you can't go to services with your BF you probably aren't going to be comfortable with a partner of another faith, long term. This is going to come up over and over and over again... |
Anonymous
| I'm Jewish but have gone to masses with friends and as part of weddings and funerals. I don't kneel, don't participate in communion, and don't participate in the responsive readings/prayers. That feels comfortable to me/not in conflict with my religious beliefs, but you'd have to decide for yourself how you feel. |
Anonymous
| FWIW, I'm a confirmed Christian. As part of confirmation back in middle school, we attended the religious services of multiple faiths. |
Anonymous
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Yes. I don't know about Muslims, but many non-Catholics attend for the music. There is a fair amount of standing and kneeling. It is fine to sit out all the kneeling and I'd advise that as it comes close to a show of faith. You can sit out the standing as well, but might want to stand at the beginning and the end as that is more a sign of respect towards the person leading the celebration.
I have lived in the Middle East, and if you are Muslim with Christian friends you would definitely attend their weddings, which often include a mass, as well as as funeral masses. |