Should we invite atheist family to First Communion?

[Anonymous]

Don't set up a chance for something to go wrong by inviting someone with an opposing view to such a big event. Would to invite Trump to a Hillary rally?

[Anonymous]

If they show up and misbehave, then they don't get their piece of Jesus Cake for dessert.

[Anonymous]

They are setting up a problem by turning what's supposedly a religious milestone into a party. Why do that when it's going to cause family problems. The child will still go through communion even if they don't have a party.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

My SIL is like this. It is completely obnoxious. Nobody invites her to anything anymore.

I'm sure she doesn't care either. so no skin off anyone's back at that point



I was raised Catholic (Italian) so I'm very familiar with ritualistic ceremonies. I'd never be rude at any ceremony, as I respect people's choices. But as an atheist, I'd probably miss the church and attend the party after.

However, if your in laws are that awful in their behavior, I'd extend the invitation but I wouldn't expect an RSVP of yes, which is probably for the best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't set up a chance for something to go wrong by inviting someone with an opposing view to such a big event. Would to invite Trump to a Hillary rally?

I would.

That would be good entertainment!

[Anonymous]

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

Clearly THAT'S the key, you brilliant theologian!

It's always best to indoctrinate the heathen during religious milestones.

Thank you for that insightful comment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

My SIL is like this. It is completely obnoxious. Nobody invites her to anything anymore.

I'm sure she doesn't care either. so no skin off anyone's back at that point



I was raised Catholic (Italian) so I'm very familiar with ritualistic ceremonies. I'd never be rude at any ceremony, as I respect people's choices. But as an atheist, I'd probably miss the church and attend the party after.

However, if your in laws are that awful in their behavior, I'd extend the invitation but I wouldn't expect an RSVP of yes, which is probably for the best.

I am an atheist, not raised Catholic, and I'd also be more likely to skip the church and attend the dinner/party after. I believe it's important to respect people's choices. I respect other people's choices to be religious, just as I expect them to respect my choice not to be religious. Problems arise when either side criticizes the other's beliefs (much like in many other aspects of life). Hopefully that can be avoided in this situation, by OP extending an invitation to the in laws and the in laws deciding to come and be polite about it or not come with that choice accepted by the OP.

[Anonymous]

I'm an atheist and I often feel uncomfortable in religious settings. I'd attend a first communion if invited, because I'm polite, but I would feel uncomfortable and concerned that I'd inadvertently offend someone.

I'm happy to attend and be respectful -- however, oftentimes I'm not clear on what "be respectful" MEANS. Does that mean if everyone stands up, I should stand up too, or does that mean that standing up is something people are doing to demonstrate their religious faith, and it's reserved for those who are participating, rather than attending? What should I do when people are praying? I don't want to fake-pray, which seems enormously disrespectful to me.

So a simple heads-up on those kinds of things can be helpful. "Hi Mimi, we're happy you are coming to Larla's first communion! There will be a part in the ceremony where the Catholic congregation will take communion. It's for confirmed Catholics only -- other folks just sit and wait in the pews until that part is done."

(Note -- if the in-laws are kind and respectful, this is a fine approach. But if they aren't, eh, you did you best.)

[Anonymous]

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

+1

Also, don't invite any of the a-hole religious people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Clearly THAT'S the key, you brilliant theologian!

It's always best to indoctrinate the heathen during religious milestones.

Thank you for that insightful comment.

Sounds like a job post.