Parents suddenly want to go to church

[Anonymous]

I was brought up in the church, but I don't think my parents ever went after I left for college. Now, they tell me they want to start going again, and that concerns me. I feel like this is something people do when they think they are about to die. They are early 60's, but my mom's parents died young. Are my fears unfounded? I asked why they wanted to start now and they said they just felt like it.

(FYI, I'm fairly devout, so this isn't about them going to church, just concerned about the reasons to start going now after all the years of not going)

[Anonymous]

Get a life. They should do what they want to do. Why not?

[Anonymous]

Normal. They are at an age where they probably want something more. Something that is orderly, spiritual and meaningful in their lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get a life. They should do what they want to do. Why not?

Yes, because showing concern for your parents is so wrong and meddling.

[Anonymous]

My mother started doing this around the same time. I think she had gotten bored with her weekend routine and saw it as a safe, comfortable way to meet some new people and have some new experiences.

[Anonymous]

You're crazy. They probably just want something to anchor them in life, plus want the social connections. You are nuts to read any more into it than that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're crazy. They probably just want something to anchor them in life, plus want the social connections. You are nuts to read any more into it than that.

And you're rude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was brought up in the church, but I don't think my parents ever went after I left for college. Now, they tell me they want to start going again, and that concerns me. I feel like this is something people do when they think they are about to die. They are early 60's, but my mom's parents died young. Are my fears unfounded? I asked why they wanted to start now and they said they just felt like it.

(FYI, I'm fairly devout, so this isn't about them going to church, just concerned about the reasons to start going now after all the years of not going)

This makes no sense, OP. You claim that you are "fairly devout" yourself, and yet you can't understand what people get out going to church on a regular basis?

Nice try, Troll.

[Anonymous]

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/503942.page#7677581

Older parents do this it seems - a trend unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

They probably just want the socialization aspects of attending a church and to make friends

[Anonymous]

Totally normal. They now have more free time and more free mental space. They are close to retirement and their kids have (hopefully) left the home. No longer are they consumed with logistics and fighting everyday fires, like the coming RIF at work and whether Larla has snowboots. So with that free mental space their minds roam to bigger questions.

[Anonymous]

1. Church is a way to meet people, volunteer, socialize, etc.
2. Older people often find that they are growing more spiritual, even if they have good health and are nowhere near death. It's a different phase of life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was brought up in the church, but I don't think my parents ever went after I left for college. Now, they tell me they want to start going again, and that concerns me. I feel like this is something people do when they think they are about to die. They are early 60's, but my mom's parents died young. Are my fears unfounded? I asked why they wanted to start now and they said they just felt like it.

(FYI, I'm fairly devout, so this isn't about them going to church, just concerned about the reasons to start going now after all the years of not going)

Your fears are not unfounded. it's a fact that people's likelihood of dying rises with age. However, there is no evidence that going to church hastens death among older people, so I wouldn't worry about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was brought up in the church, but I don't think my parents ever went after I left for college. Now, they tell me they want to start going again, and that concerns me. I feel like this is something people do when they think they are about to die. They are early 60's, but my mom's parents died young. Are my fears unfounded? I asked why they wanted to start now and they said they just felt like it.

(FYI, I'm fairly devout, so this isn't about them going to church, just concerned about the reasons to start going now after all the years of not going)

This makes no sense, OP. You claim that you are "fairly devout" yourself, and yet you can't understand what people get out going to church on a regular basis?

Nice try, Troll.

Seriously? I've always gone to church. They haven't. You can't see the difference in our situations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was brought up in the church, but I don't think my parents ever went after I left for college. Now, they tell me they want to start going again, and that concerns me. I feel like this is something people do when they think they are about to die. They are early 60's, but my mom's parents died young. Are my fears unfounded? I asked why they wanted to start now and they said they just felt like it.

(FYI, I'm fairly devout, so this isn't about them going to church, just concerned about the reasons to start going now after all the years of not going)

This makes no sense, OP. You claim that you are "fairly devout" yourself, and yet you can't understand what people get out going to church on a regular basis?

Nice try, Troll.

Seriously? I've always gone to church. They haven't. You can't see the difference in our situations?

maybe they fainally saw the light. be happy for them.