Should we invite atheist family to First Communion?

[Anonymous]

We're they disrespectful at the baptism?
Sounds like if they decide to come to church, they will behave themselves.
Invite them to both, have their son tell them you will understand if they only want to come to the dinner afterwards.

[Anonymous]

Don't invite them. They don't believe in it. They may crap in your daughter's day. You can invite them for another time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm atheist and think their behavior is awful. Don't invite them to the ceremony. You should be focused on your daughter that day and not on worrying about what they'll say.

OP here. It's as though people practicing religion effects them personally. I could care less what they believe in, and would never even make a comment, but they feel they have to interject at any mention of religion.

Yes, that's a typical atheist for you.

[Anonymous]

Atheist here -- don't invite them. Not because they're atheists, but because they sound awful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My MIL and FIL are openly atheist, and have tendencies to be outspoken and rude/hurtful to other family members who are Christian -although they have not voiced opinions in regards to my husbands and my religious choices. They disagree with, do not support, or feel comfortable around anything religious. They attended our daughters baptism, but saw it only as a family function.

Fast forward seven years, our daughter will have her First Communion in November. In those seven years, I have listened to and watched (FB post comments, etc.) a rudeness I can't believe. My MIL and FIL are horribly rude and blatantly disrespectful to religious beliefs, other than being atheist of course. I really don't want to have them anywhere near my daughter on this special (to us) day. They don't believe in it, don't like it, and I don't know why they would come, other than, again, to get together with the extended family. I have no issue not having a party at all, just taking DD to dinner with supportive family and friends afterwards.

Am I being irrational?

How did they behave at the baptism? Were the polite and respectful? At least, did they hold their tongues? If so, invite them to the Communion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another atheist who would not invite them. They sound awful.

maybe they aren't as awful as they sound.

[Anonymous]

People are sometimes more tolerant of people of other religions than of people of no religion.

Is it OK for a Jew to comment that they don't believe in the rite of 1st holy communion but not OK for an atheist? When an atheist mentions their different beliefs does it seem like an insult, but when a person of another religion does it, it just seems like stating a fact?

Is it OK for religious people to mention their differeing beliefs, but not OK for atheists?

Should atheists keep quiet more then other people?

[Anonymous]

No way would I invite them if they're rude and disrespectful. Why would you?

[Anonymous]

Why not? I've been invited to Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and I'm Christian.

Nothing wrong if they want to sit back and watch. Anthropologists do it all the time.

[Anonymous]

No. It is an important religious sacrament above being a family celebration. It's not like a wedding that can/is also a civil ceremony.

If they ask why they are not invited, simply say "it is an important religious sacrament where we are receiving the body and blood of Christ. I know you don't believe in that, so we don't want you to be uncomfortable there."

[Anonymous]

I've found Jews and Christians to be much more tolerant/welcoming of each other's religious practices than an atheists, because both Jews and Christians believe in God, the Old Testament, and that Jesus existed and served God. Not too different fundamentally.

An intolerant, outspoken atheist is the polar opposite and should not be invited to any religious sacraments. My best friend is a tolerant, respectful atheist who has attended all of my family's religious sacraments, and we are guardians in their will of their children. RESPECT is key

[Anonymous]

I'm an atheist and I would invite them. It's a special event and they should be given the chance to be there even if they don't believe. I'm sure that there are a few non-believers in your congregation that attend church for a variety of reasons.

[Anonymous]

If this is such a special religious experience I don't see why you have to turn it not a social occasion, especially when you know the grandparents are uncomfortable with it. Insisting on having a party afterwards so she can complain about her in laws justshows that OP is actually passive aggressive. A pp talked of someone she knew who skipped having a party and that's what OP should do.

[Anonymous]

I would invite them because it's the atheists who are most in need of exposure to religion.

[Anonymous]

Send them an invitation but on the back write "Listen we know you have no interest in coming. Just send a nice check for the communion gift and we'll cover for you."