Confirmation?

Of course Fleurpepper, you know much more about these things than I do. After all, I only have six friends who are ordained in the CofE, my grandchildren are at a Catholic high school, I have Jewish and Muslim friends as well as many of no faith.
We must move in very different circles,

Oh dear! If only you knew. Respect for all faiths means you do not mis-use. We have family and friends of most Faiths, and a multitude of Christian ones.

Oh dear, if only you knew how to engage with others without patronising passive aggressive comments

Did you actually read your last post?

Nothing passive-aggressive here- just a strongly held view that true respect means no mis-use. Quite simple really.

It never ceases to amaze me, fleurpepper, how many friends and family members you always have to give credence to your sweeping statements - and always have had, in previous incarnations.

I did, as did my daughter, both by choice, about 10 years ago - and even then people could go for blessing unconfirmed. Sadly, I do not attend my local Church for personality reasons, so couldn't comment more recently than 6 years ago

At the C of E church in our road if you haven’t been confirmed (they rely on individuals honesty) when the congregation goes to receive communion if you keep your hands by your sides you receive a blessing.

I posted up thread one’s beliefs is between you and your god, not sure he demands a certificate of your allegiance.

I have a strong faith despite not being a regular church attendee.

Germanshepherdsmum

It never ceases to amaze me, fleurpepper, how many friends and family members you always have to give credence to your sweeping statements - and always have had, in previous incarnations.

I am glad I cause you amazement and entertainment - some of us have very very mixed and varied families on both sides and connections- and yes, in every shape and size and from all over the world. No sweeping statements here or above.

Respect means not misusing.

Thanks for your post GrannyGravy. It seems we share the belief that one’s belief is between the individual and their god.
My faith is important to me. I’ve been a regular attender at Church at different times on my life, infrequent at others.

Fleurpepper

Well yes, and yet. Do you think those who want to be married in Church, or have their children Christened, or have funeral ceremony- at least show some indication of Faith?

Well, yes.

Next question?

When it was time to go up for Holy Communion, a message flashed up, informing us that everyone was welcome to come up and receive, no matter what your age or beliefs. If you only wanted a blessing, keep your arms by your side

The message perhaps should have been clearer - everyone can go up but only those who are confirmed put out their hands to receive the bread then the wine, those who are not confirmed receive a blessing (therefore keep your hands by your side).

All receive, either communion or a blessing.

I can see it now. Security checks in the aisle. "Your confirmation papers please. You don't have them?
😁

"Are you sure this is you in the photograph? My word, you've aged a lot since that was taken!"

"Well, I was only 12, a few years have gone by since then"

Callistemon

But that was my point, that anyone receives the bread and wine, whether confirmed or not.

I realise from reading through this thread, that my thoughts on being confirmed and receiving are out of date with how the church is nowadays.

Why bother going to classes when it really doesn’t matter?

If you go up and receive, that’s perfectly acceptable whatever.

Still seems odd to me, but I am in the minority with my thinking.

The church I go to asks that those who do not believe in Christ the Saviour not take communion but anyone from our church or any visitor who accepts and believes in Christ is welcome to take communion. Fair enough, why on earth would you partake in the ceremony if you didn’t believe what it stands for ? I was baptised in my 50 s when I became a believer but I had been christened as a child. Completely different.

I have never been confirmed, my grandfather being a minister in the Wesh Congregational Church, but when in France say, like at the moment, I take Communion in a Catholic Church. I think taking Communion, like any act of worship, is transferable, and anyway it is between me and God, and not for show.

and anyway, it is between me and God, and not for show
Exactly so Joseanne.
One of my friends, a CofE minister talks about faith as something that changes, it’s not unusual for people to have uncertainty, periods of doubt.
Im sure he’s right and that his compassionate acceptance that we aren’t all as committed as some feel we should be is Christian.

Certainly, in my small local C of E church confirmation classes are still held, but, it is not necessary to have been confirmed to take communion. Those who wish to be confirmed, but are not baptised, can choose to be baptised in the same confirmation service.

During the communion service and on the service booklets, people are invited to take communion or, if they prefer, to receive a blessing.

Parents take their children to the rail to be blessed while they themselves are offered the wafer and wine (the wafer being dipped in the wine rather than the chalice being offered since Covid.

Foxygloves

Fleurpepper

Well yes, and yet. Do you think those who want to be married in Church, or have their children Christened, or have funeral ceremony- at least show some indication of Faith?

Well, yes.

Next question?

Thank you. Agreed. No next question.

I forgot to say that these days, confirmation is not required before taking communion.

and anyway, it is between me and God, and not for show

yes, that was my very point. It is, far too often. And it is very disrespectful imho.

I am sensing some non sequiturs in aspects of this argument, but simply do not have the energy to pursue them.
Just one thing, Fleurpepper a self-confessed agnostic seems to be claiming superior knowledge to that of others .
Perhaps time to revisit the meaning of agnostic ?
one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god. : a person who is unwilling to commit to an opinion about something.

I'm guessing you mean like a church wedding Fleurpepper? I gave this some thought because DD2 had a big religious ceremony even though she is not a believer. I remember her saying that on that occasion she wanted to feel a spiritual connection with some higher deity, and only in church was this possible. I didn't think that was some disrespectful.

some

I would call myself a Humanist- and a respecter of other people's Faiths.

Joseanne, we will have to agree to disagree here. I do think it is disrespectful. Did she say this to the Priest or Vicar, franjly and honestly? How about her husband?

My neighbour is lovely, but when here husband died, she told my friend the Vicar 'no religious stuff at the funeral service (in Church) he was not a believer and neither are we?

At our local Church, the Vicar knew the majortiy of baptisms were to get the kids into the CofE school- parents then came to Church for a few months before school started then were never seen again.

A strange situation here, were I, non believer, seem to have more respect for true Faith and its Servants and true followers, than those who claim to be 'Christians' only when it suits them. Weddings, funerals and Christenings, and the odd Christmas service.

A period of doubt is another story altogether.

I was confirmed in my 70s because I wanted to affirm my commitment to believing in God. I could have been confirmed when I was a schoolgirl but couldn’t see why I would. It is such a self centred society now but everyone is welcome at our church. I love the idea of all of us as the family of God.