Mass as part of University reunion

Freiheit

Told the authorities that in my conscience I think it's wrong. Also in court today was given a bible to take under oath without asking my wishes. My fault I suppose,should have made my belief or lack of it clear earlier but I hope the bible won't be the default position in the future.

Am considering not attending Mass at Uni but as a lot of the photo's will be at the church, I'd miss out on part of the festivities if I don't go.....I wish it wasn't part of the reunion...fairytales to me.

krudler

such is the life of a non believer, sometimes you gotta suck it up and sit through the twaddlespeak to fit a social occasion.

The bible thing in court has always puzzled me, if you're swearing on something you dont believe in, can you lie and get away with it? you may as well be swearing on a copy of Hello magazine for all its worth to you.

Zillah

In court you can just ask to take a secular oath.

Pushtrak

Freiheit wrote: »

Am considering not attending Mass at Uni but as a lot of the photo's will be at the church, I'd miss out on part of the festivities if I don't go.....I wish it wasn't part of the reunion...fairytales to me.

I could live very well with going without some festivities at the gain of spending the time doing better stuff. Surely there will be others who'll have a similar attitude and surely such people would be far more fun to hang around with anyway. And if not, there is more time and more festivities to be had.

mohawk

Freiheit wrote: »

Told the authorities that in my conscience I think it's wrong. Also in court today was given a bible to take under oath without asking my wishes. My fault I suppose,should have made my belief or lack of it clear earlier but I hope the bible won't be the default position in the future.

Am considering not attending Mass at Uni but as a lot of the photo's will be at the church, I'd miss out on part of the festivities if I don't go.....I wish it wasn't part of the reunion...fairytales to me.

I can't believe there is a mass as part of your reunion. What has religion got to do with it?

Is there an alternative to a bible in court? I hope there is.

The skin of a non-believer must be thick.

Freiheit

Is there any sanctions I would face by opting out officially on countmeout.ie? such as refusal of a place in a Catholic graveyard? Marriage can take place outside a church now can't it?. I won't be having a Church funeral (in the distant future I hope!) .

ballsymchugh

most cemeteries are municipally run, so anyone can get buried there. erm.. about your last question, where have you been for the past 15 years? there's registry offices all over the place now. it just means you're beholdeth to the hours of the public servant when picking the time and date for the wedding.

i don't get why you're so upset though, if there's a Mass, just don't go. meet up for the photos afterwards, but don't let it bug you. it may be organised as part of the tradition for reunions so if it's not held then others may object to that. at least if it's organised, then the option is there, but if it's not, then others may feel they're losing out.

Pushtrak

Freiheit wrote: »

Is there any sanctions I would face by opting out officially on countmeout.ie? such as refusal of a place in a Catholic graveyard? Marriage can take place outside a church now can't it?.

Well, I can only tell why I haven't done it. Don't have any kids, but obviously some day I could and the schools being as they are that could cause problems. I'd have to find an Educate Together school. And I haven't looked into where they are. Again, no kids, and not going to have any in the foreseeable future. Still though, it is on my mind, and I'm not going to do something that I could regret on that front later.

Freiheit

I'll clarify with my local graveyard......Yes I suppose Mass is part of tradition and I'll try to view it as such....still think it's wrong though.

Sad Pushtrak that people are afraid of opting out for that reason...have heard others...I believe that religion should be outside of school hours for those who choose it...sadly the church still monopolises control of our schools.

Have actually stopped talking to two neighbours who have been trying to get me to attend church. I've no problem with people of faith, but I object to prosleytisation.

PDN

mohawk wrote: »

Is there an alternative to a bible in court? I hope there is.

Yes, all you have to do is say, "I'll make an affirmation instead."

The skin of a non-believer must be thick.

The skin of a thick non-believer must be thick.

MagicMarker

Pushtrak wrote: »

Well, I can only tell why I haven't done it. Don't have any kids, but obviously some day I could and the schools being as they are that could cause problems. I'd have to find an Educate Together school. And I haven't looked into where they are. Again, no kids, and not going to have any in the foreseeable future. Still though, it is on my mind, and I'm not going to do something that I could regret on that front later.

Why would you opting out have any effect on your kids?

Don't tell me that the parents of a child must be catholic for the child to be baptised?

Pushtrak

MagicMarker wrote: »

Why would you opting out have any effect on your kids?

Don't tell me that the parents of a child must be catholic for the child to be baptised?

It is my understanding that the schools will look at the religion (or lack thereof) of the parent in giving places to kids. Just as the child that hasn't been baptised will have a reduced chance of getting in to a particular school, so too would something like removing ones self from Catholicism officially in such a manner. Not a practical thing to do with that worry on ones head. Even if it isn't an immediate concern.

Or are my fears unfounded? Am I worrying for nothing? I don't think that is the case.

Turtwig

MagicMarker wrote: »

Why would you opting out have any effect on your kids?

Don't tell me that the parents of a child must be catholic for the child to be baptised?

Yes, although most Catholic schools don't do use requirement, they can if they wish, impose the requirement that the child be baptised or he will not be accepted into their school.

MagicMarker

Malty_T wrote: »

Yes, although most Catholic schools don't do use requirement, they can if they wish, impose the requirement that the child be baptised or he will not be accepted into their school.

Oh I understand that part, I just didn't realize that the school will also look at the parents religion!

dvpower

Zillah wrote: »

In court you can just ask to take a secular oath.

You can, but the bible in placed in front of you as the default option and you have to request to affirm instead.

fisgon

Freiheit wrote: »

Told the authorities that in my conscience I think it's wrong. Also in court today was given a bible to take under oath without asking my wishes. My fault I suppose,should have made my belief or lack of it clear earlier but I hope the bible won't be the default position in the future.

Am considering not attending Mass at Uni but as a lot of the photo's will be at the church, I'd miss out on part of the festivities if I don't go.....I wish it wasn't part of the reunion...fairytales to me.

What university is this? Sounds bizarre in 2010, when only a fraction of those under 50 now attend church. I can only think that it's UCD, it used to be Catholic-run, possibly there's still a connection? I think we can safely assume it's not Trinity anyway

As for not going to the mass. just do as i do for anniversary masses for dead family members. Turn up after. Don't go to the church, just show up at the door when the mass ends if you want to meet people and get photos taken.

fisgon

fisgon wrote: »

What university is this? Sounds bizarre in 2010, when only a fraction of those under 50 now attend church. I can only think that it's UCD, it used to be Catholic-run, possibly there's still a connection? I think we can safely assume it's not Trinity anyway

As for not going to the mass. just do as i do for anniversary masses for dead family members. Turn up after. Don't go to the church, just show up at the door when the mass ends if you want to meet people and get photos taken.

Sounds like NUIM the ol' seminary

The teacher training colleges were/are religious - Mary I, St. Pats etc

Freiheit

Yes it's Mary Immaculate, now a campus of the University of Limerick. About half of it's 5 or 6 courses are teacher training. Not a surprise really in that context, wasn't an atheist when I studied there but am a convinced atheist now. Suited me then, but the fairly conservative ethos wouldn't be mentally healthy for me now. I'll turn up at the end of the mass for the photo's.

For the record I know a lot of primary teachers who dislike teaching religion, but by virtue of the system are compelled to, regardless of their own faith or lack of it. All the teacher training colleges are religous.

A2LUE42

Freiheit wrote: »

Yes it's Mary Immaculate, now a campus of the University of Limerick. About half of it's 5 or 6 courses are teacher training. Not a surprise really in that context, wasn't an atheist when I studied there but am a convinced atheist now. Suited me then, but the fairly conservative ethos wouldn't be mentally healthy for me now. I'll turn up at the end of the mass for the photo's.

For the record I know a lot of primary teachers who dislike teaching religion, but by virtue of the system are compelled to, regardless of their own faith or lack of it. All the teacher training colleges are religous.

So what do you plan to do if you get a post in a school where it is expected of the Teachers to prepare the Communion or Confirmation classes ?

Freiheit

I wasn't one of the primary teachers. No doubt is a dilemna of conscience for some though.

Freiheit

Actually I felt bad criticising the Mass afterwards as it was very interactive and the Priest was very inclusive. Not the type often stereotyped in the media. Although I remain a committed non-believer in a cultural sense most of our roots are in the Catholic church, it's part of what we come from . I was pleasantly surprised by the experience.

I wanted to believe in the God part, but reason prevents it.