Reply to Should we invite atheist family to First Communion?

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[quote=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.)[/quote]

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