We are expected to tolerate and respect the religious beliefs of others, yet, how often are those who wish to be completely free of religion invited to a ceremony such as a marriage or funeral where there will be appeals to the supernatural. These are occasions where you will be surrounded by people engaged in degrading, superstitious acts.
Family members often have no sense of the offence they cause.
You will, of course, wish to attend. Many people tolerate religious practices on social occasions through habit, tradition or reluctance to appear difficult. These occasions are important to us all but you still have a duty to make it known that you are offended and that you are attending only out of respect for your hosts. In this way you can make your objections clear without causing offence yourself.
We should be more assertive in ensuring that communal, social events are secular, inclusive and devoid of the supernatural.
I have so far refused 2 invitations to become a child's 'godmother' and told the parents it will make no difference to my caring for the child anyway. I have also refused on 3 ocassions to attend church weddings and instead attended the dance and food bit afterwards :)
ReplyDeleteI complain vociferously whenever it is assumed that everyone wants a religious theme for a funstion or when a church or other temple / religious house is chosen as a meeting place over a secular one- I think I'm getting there- or maybe just annoying people? lol
Well done, psychodive. There have been many occasions when I wish I had your courage. I would like to know what reaction you got and if you gathered any support from relatives.
ReplyDeletepanj
I guess I'm lucky that i come from a more or less atheist background - so no reaction there-my family are well aware of my disbelief and most of them read my blog :)
ReplyDeleteThe reaction comes from friends and acquaintances- they are either shocked, disbelieving or think I am joking- there is also that old assumption when they say 'you must be Christian you're British' - which of course allows me to launch into a history of Christianity and of beliefs in the British isles lol