Going to churches of other denominations when you can't go to your own

[Publisher]

It’s a cultural thing, Publisher.

We simply feel that one should make some attempt to make this meeting, on this day, a little special by NOT dressing as you do every other day. However, we would never stop someone at the door for not being dressed properly, or (as has historically been done else where and when,) handing people items of clothing (like a headcovering or something) at the door if they didn’t come with one.

the point is, it’s simply a matter of how we choose to show respect. I’m certain, for instance, that there are actions/words/attitudes that you would consider inapropriate for Meeting, yes?

Everybody does this a little differently. That doesn’t mean that everybody but us is wrong.

Oh, most certainly…a Friend who came chronically late to Meeting would eventually be “eldered” by an older Friend. Short skirts or “hot pants” would most likely cause an “eldering” session. I was not seeking to draw attention that “one is bad” or “one is right” in how they dress…I was speaking to the fact that I would “stick out” as a non-LDS should I visit an LDS meeting in an area where there were no Friend’s Meetings on any given First Day as I most likely wouldn’t have slacks and tie handy…unless of course I was attending a formal sales meeting and had prepared before hand.

I have no issue with anyone who wishes to “dress up” when attending their repsective Meeting for Worship…

 

[ConstantineTG]

This happened once or twice when I was younger and my family was holidaying in small country towns. The local Roman Catholic church didn’t have a service that particular week so we went to the local Anglican church instead (didn’t receive communion, although the Anglican priest said afterwards that we could).

Do other people do this, and if so, would you only go to certain denominations’ masses that have similar characteristics to your own denomination? Or would you prefer not to go at all?

It’s just something I’ve been wondering about, especially variations from denomination to denomination. I’ll be interested in hearing about your thoughts, practises and observations.

(NB: Probably not necessary but I might as well say I’m not so much interested in arguments or discussing things, as in dry facts here. If you wish to debate, go ahead, but I won’t participate. I hope you’ll understand that I’m not being hostile and grumpy, I just don’t like arguing on the internet and generally regret it for days when I do .)

If you have no reasonable access to a Catholic Church, then you are dispensed from your Sunday Obligation. You may still attend a different service but thats not to be in substitute of your obligation. You may do it for other reasons (ie. family reasons, want to hear sermons, etc.)

From the Anglican perspective you may receive Communion from them, but not from the Catholic perspective. We are not to receive Communion in other denominations, we may only receive one from a Catholic parish of any Catholic Rite. Further, in cases of necessity such as danger of death, we may receive from the Orthodox and only if the Orthodox priest allows you.

 

[06convert]

Nothing can replace the Catholic Mass. So going to another church’s service amounts to the same as missing mass completely. If there is no reasonable way for you to make it to a mass somewhere, anywhere, then you are not at fault. But attending another Church and pretending that somehow is equal is not a good idea. That being said, if you didn’t know this, no big deal, you can’t be held responsible if you didn’t know any better.

If you go to another Church it’s a good idea for you as a Catholic to abstain from participating in their traditions or take anything said in their service as infallible truth. Because by Catholic teaching if they do not have proper holy orders they cannot consecrate the host, therefore a Catholic knowing better and participating in communion would be sacrilige.

This however may not be the same way the Anglican church views communion. They probably think they have legitimate holy orders and therefore have no problem with you recieving their version of communion. Different set of rules. The Anglican said it was ok, but the question should have been is it ok from a Catholic perspective and the answer would be no.

 

[dianaiad]

Nothing can replace the Catholic Mass. So going to another church’s service amounts to the same as missing mass completely. If there is no reasonable way for you to make it to a mass somewhere, anywhere, then you are not at fault. But attending another Church and pretending that somehow is equal is not a good idea. That being said, if you didn’t know this, no big deal, you can’t be held responsible if you didn’t know any better.

If you go to another Church it’s a good idea for you as a Catholic to abstain from participating in their traditions or take anything said in their service as infallible truth. Because by Catholic teaching if they do not have proper holy orders they cannot consecrate the host, therefore a Catholic knowing better and participating in communion would be sacrilege.

This however may not be the same way the Anglican church views communion. They probably think they have legitimate holy orders and therefore have no problem with you receiving their version of communion. Different set of rules. The Anglican said it was ok, but the question should have been is it ok from a Catholic perspective and the answer would be no.

This is very odd.

Y’know, I come from a faith tradition that many of you have called “cult,” and have refused to admit is even a Christian faith–but we understand that even though other Christians may not agree with us all all doctrines, they all do have relationships with Christ, and love, honor and worship Him as they believe Him to be; that their church meetings, therefore, can be just as full of the spirit of Christ as ours are–because “wherever two or three meet…” and all that.

So while it is true that we would not take communion with y’all (out of respect for your traditions as well as for our own) we don’t think that it would be 'sacrilege" to simply attend, listen, sing and participate in the genuine spirit that is found in almost any gathering of people who honestly are there to worship God.

Backwards.

 

[seeker57]

Last weekend, I was in Ogden, Utah, at the Unitarian Universalist Mountain Desert District Conference.

During the course of the weekend, I attended a service at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Ogden.

I also visited two Catholic churches because they were quite beautiful and I wanted to experience them.

I thought about attending one of the services at the cathedral in Salt Lake City, just to experience it, but didn’t have time.

I managed to see the Mormon Temple and the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. Quite impressive as well.

I have attended services in many types of chuches or otherwise religiously dedicated buildings, including Catholic, Nazarene, LDS, a Synagogue and a Buddhist temple.

I found the experiences enlightening and gave me a better understanding of the religious beliefs of others.

I don’t understand the reticence about attending other buildings of religious importance.

Seeker

 

[06convert]

This is very odd.

Y’know, I come from a faith tradition that many of you have called “cult,” and have refused to admit is even a Christian faith–but we understand that even though other Christians may not agree with us all all doctrines, they all do have relationships with Christ, and love, honor and worship Him as they believe Him to be; that their church meetings, therefore, can be just as full of the spirit of Christ as ours are–because “wherever two or three meet…” and all that.

So while it is true that we would not take communion with y’all (out of respect for your traditions as well as for our own) we don’t think that it would be 'sacrilege" to simply attend, listen, sing and participate in the genuine spirit that is found in almost any gathering of people who honestly are there to worship God.

Backwards.

You’re absolutely right:thumbsup:. . I may have been confusing. There is nothing wrong with attending. Nothing wrong at all.

As a Catholic you are obliged to attend the Sunday mass once a week. You can go to all the services at other churches you want, but they will not add up or qualify as a replacement to fullfill your Sunday obligation. Simply attending is not sacrilege. I would even go as far to recommend it to help you grow in your faith.

Also if you are a Catholic you must believe that only validly ordained priests have the ability to change bread and wine into the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. Therefore taking communion at another church without a validly ordained priest and accepting that communion as the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ would be sacrilege.

But going and being with fellow Christians is not sacrilege. I’m sorry if I was confusing. .

 

[hizstory]

No. Our doctrines are too different and incompatible. The same goes for Jehovah’s Witnesses. Though I don’t judge the salvation of any individual member (that’s for God alone), I don’t think of those churches as part of the Christian fold.

But I would worship in a Catholic or Orthodox church, or Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Foursquare, UCC, etc. In some of them, such as Catholic, Orthodox and most Lutheran synods, I wouldn’t be allowed to take communion, but I understand their reasoning on that and respect it, even though I don’t agree. It wouldn’t stop my enjoyment of the rest of the service.

I like the fact you respect those churches position on communion even though you don’t agree with it. We need more of that in Christendom.