Everyone is expected to partake, really those who don't go up get strange looks (it is a very small church).
Would it be considered wrong for visiting non-Christians to partake in an open communnion?
Is that sinful or blasphemous in anyway?
Would you consider it morally wrong?
2007-06-21 23:45:51 · 14 answers · asked by Aria 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i have always been told that if you are accepting communion as the body of christ...it does not matter what church you accept it in...so i guess it depends on why you are accepting communion and if you are comfortable with the idea...
2007-06-21 23:50:09 · answer #1 · answered by Daisy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was raised Catholic, and for them, communion is only for Catholics who have had confession, it is a sacrament of the initiated. I have also been to Protestent churches, with an open communion, the attitude at these events, as I can recall was more about sharing with the entire assembled, not just the church members. I have participated in that as well. I think it would depend on the church. I would think that if a non-believer is attending such a church, that some of the members might take that as a sign that the word of the Christ is reaching them, and might actually approve of it from the stand point of considering it a step in a direction toward accepting the Christ as a saviour, where not participating could mark you as not being "saved". Contemplate on the word "Communion" as at the root of "Community", in some churches it is a sharing of "Community". I would say ask your husband what he thinks about it, or maybe the church minister. In any case, you shouldn't do it, if you don't feel right about it. (Not a Christian or a Catholic these days...)
2007-06-21 23:59:19 · answer #2 · answered by beatlefan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In nonCatholic churches, they can have 'open' communion because all they are handing out is bread and wine- or grape juice. It is a symbol and ONLY a symbol. In the Catholic Church, we believe that during the Consecration the bread and wine become Jesus Christ, Really and Truly Present under the APPEARANCE of bread and wine. This is NOT a symbol. St. Paul said whoever receives communion unworthily is guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ. You can't be guilty of a symbol. Want further proof Catholic Communion is NOT a symbol- but the tru Presence of Jesus Christ? Look at the stan worshjippers....what do they want to get a hold of ? The EUCHARIST. Why? Because even THEY believe it is Jesus Christ!
2016-05-17 08:51:50 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While Catholics are permitted to attend non-Catholic services, they are prohibited from receiving communion at those services.
Likewise, non-Catholics may not receive communion in a Catholic Church, although they are most certainly invited to celebrate the Mass, with them.
There are numerous other traditions and rules that apply to members of other groups.
In the end, each person is responsible for understanding and following the rules that apply to them, and no one should ever be forced to do anything.
2007-06-22 03:34:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know, you should ask your priest/minister/rabbi/whatever. Some churches, like the Catholic church, actually believe that the wine and wafers offered up are changed to the blood and body, and these people may find it offensive. Others see it as symbolic, and they may not care. But don't let the hairy eyeball from the crowd force you to take communion when you don't want to.
2007-06-22 00:01:04 · answer #5 · answered by Curtis B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well when i went to church i remember having to go through first communion to be allowed to start receiving it regularly. But all religions are different i guess. I suppose in that situation though it would be considered wrong? Why else would first communion exist if it wasn't intended to be the "first" communion i suppose.
2007-06-21 23:52:43 · answer #6 · answered by Iczer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends what church this is. Catholic or protestant?
Communion should be only taken by people who know in their heart that they repent for all their sinful behavior and all sinful thoughts and who love Jesus Christ without reservation.
If anyone has any doubts or have nto repented for something then it would be a blasphemy to take communion.
If its a Catholic church then they might believe that you somehow become purer just because you took the communion.
2007-06-21 23:50:51 · answer #7 · answered by Monkey Chunks 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Bible says that taking the symbols of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, (bread and juice), unworthily brings damnation on a person, because they don't understand nor respect the significance. 1 Corinthians 11. Communion is not for non-Christians.
2007-06-22 00:20:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes if you are not a believer it is not for you to partake its a personal thing with Your God if your not partaking then its ok and the people of the church need to grow up I think God is big enough to understand you not wanting to partake
2007-06-21 23:58:24 · answer #9 · answered by missleanne89 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They make it open, they mean it to be open. The alternative would be to admit that they did not want visitors. Since Christians generally are into converting the heathens, that would not do. So clearly, they have set it up so that the non-Christian visitor takes communion.
2007-06-21 23:50:24 · answer #10 · answered by auntb93 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋