philstar wrote: » the thing is this... Irish nationalism and Catholicism goes hand in hand the two are tightly intertwined its to do with our tribalistic past, the whole catholic vs protestant thingy its embedded in the irish psyche
catbear wrote: » [...] invaders used religion to dispossess and persecute their ancestors [...]
robindch wrote: » I'm not sure the RCC wasn't beyond using religion to do exactly the same thing itself.
philstar wrote: » are you sure its not the archbishop of canterbury??
Peregrinus wrote: » If the kids would just make a bit more of an effort, the whole thing could be self-financing.
robindch wrote: » Statistics collected from 189 families show that parents are now spending EUR845 per communion child, up a miserly 1% on last year. The amount collected by each child averages EUR 570, with 23% receiving more than EUR800, and 13% receiving more than EUR1,000.https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/parents-spend-an-average-of-845-on-first-communion-1.3133256?mode=amp
realdanbreen wrote: » It's crazy to be spending that kind of money. And when you consider that some of those families may not even believe it is even crazier.
robindch wrote: » Each one received an edition of the bible together with a relevant plaster statue.
robindch wrote: » Perhaps those who support the church could do more to speak out against this craziness? I - for one - took no part in this stuff when various young relatives were being communionized, confirmated and so on. Each one received an edition of the bible together with a relevant plaster statue. For some reason, invitations weren't long in stopping.
robindch wrote: » This year, communion cost inflation wildly outstripped cost-of-living increases, with the average cost of inducting a new member to the RCC rising around 8% to over €900 per inductee. Girls are taking home an average of around €650 and boys' takehome averages at around €590.https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/average-cost-of-first-holy-communion-up-8-to-900-1.3935050
splinter65 wrote: » What’s any of that got to do with the RCC?
robindch wrote: » Last time I checked, the RCC was organizing the general form of the main day itself, plus insisting that it was necessary, and via the RCC's control of over 90% of the country's primary school network, was also insisting that school kids waste an average of 2.5 hours per week which could be used to educate kids, but was instead spent with the teacher trying to persuade gullible children that the RCC's preposterous religious stories are actually true.
splinter65 wrote: » Can you explain specifically what your objection is?
smacl wrote: » No idea about other people, but I find it worrying that an important mechanism used by the major religion, that runs the larger part of our school system, perpetuates their religion is by agreeing and even encouraging the parents of young children to use bribery to get them to take part. As a religion, why is Catholicism in this country promoting greed in vulnerable young people for its own ends? Surely that is contrary to fundamental Christian tenets.
splinter65 wrote: » Please tell me in what aspect you see the church “promoting greed”?
smacl wrote: » By virtue of the simple fact that they condone and openly preside over this wanton excess. One might think that the true Christian spirit would emphasize donating this excess wealth to the needy rather than spoiling young children but apparently not. Give the kids a day to remember so that they'll give their kids a day to remember and this self serving cycle of greed can grow and perpetuate itself seems more the case. That it serves the churches interest and they do nothing to stem it is blindingly obvious.
splinter65 wrote: » I’ve already said that the children actually being put forward for first Eucharist, and the style in which they get the sacrament of first Eucharist is entirely in the control of the parents. Where have you seen a priest encouraging bribery??!? The parents voluntarily bring their children forward for sacraments. The parents voluntarily make all the unnecessary purchases and arrangements for parties etc for the day. The friends and family and neighbors voluntarily fill cards with money. Millions of children all over the world make their first Eucharist with none of these trappings. The school and the church are in control of none of these things. Please tell me in what aspect you see the church “promoting greed”?
splinter65 wrote: » But no child has to participate in first Eucharist preparation or confession prep or actually get their first Eucharist unless the parent actually wants them too. You do know that children of other faiths and no faith are not only not forced, but not permitted to get first Eucharist? And I’ve given you a link to what happened in even one parish when the RCC tried to do away with organizing the “main day” as you call it but you didn’t read the article. Your trying to pretend that the RCC are frogmarching families into the church, when you actually know that that’s not true. If catholic parents do want to have catholic children then they must be baptized and when their ready, get the sacraments of first Eucharist and confirmation. But that’s entirely voluntary, and so is the dressing up and the party and the gifts, and if the catholic schools and the local clergy want to facilitate that wish for the parents then I really can’t understand what business it is of anyone else? Can you explain specifically what your objection is?
bluewolf wrote: » didnt a priest forbid them to do it in anything but school uniforms a while back? more of that sort of thing would be ok
GarIT wrote: » You do know that kids not making their communion/confirmation are usually shoved in the corner or another classroom while their teacher wastes 2.5 hours per week preparing for communion/confirmation. If it was the children making their communion/confirmation that left the class with a different teacher then I'd sday your argument has a point.