Text 8641, 77 rader
Skriven 2006-09-19 16:35:00 av Robert E Starr JR (9138.babylon5)
Ärende: Re: OT: child communion,
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Thirty or so years ago, I spent the better part of six months (or it might
have been weeks) in confirmation class. Actually, I went through
confirmation class twice, once in my first church (United Church of Christ)
where I was actually confirmed, and then again two years later when we
transferred to the Presbyterian Church. Parents decided that I needed to go
through it a second time at the new church because I was the only one in my
first confirmation class, they had some concerns about the quality of
confirmation instruction the first time around. But I was actually confirmed
only once, the second class I just went through, but then didn't stand up
with the other confirmants when they were confirmed.

Anyway, I remember the importance of the confirmation class was to develop
an understanding of the importance of communion, etc.

In fact, I always thought that they Catholic Church got it wrong by
confirming children at age seven. The children really didn't understand the
meaning, instead, they just understood the steps of the ritual. They were
too young to truly understand the meaning.

I think it was important for me to go through the class at 12 and then take
communion, rather than the other way around.


On 9/17/06 8:13 AM, "Ranger Elenopa" wrote:

> This is very off topic, but I know we have loads of people from
> different backgrounds and religions here.
> 
> My church is thinking about the issue of allowing children not yet
> confirmed, to take holy communion. There is to be a meeting to discuss
> this and I would like some information at hand to take to it.
> 
> We are Church of England, and traditionally, communion is not taken
> until you are confirmed at about the age of twelve.
> 
> The proposal seems to be that all people who have been baptised should
> be allowed to take communion, whatever their age. Some people are
> citing the Catholic practice of First Communion at the age of seven as
> proof that children should be allowed to take communion. I am afraid
> that they are not aware of what First Communion involves. I really only
> know a little from one of my Brownies telling me about it.
> 
> I am not against child communion in principle, but I am afraid that it
> will devalue the act of communion if children do not recieve some
> instruction beforehand.
> 
> And what of Confirmation? My confirmation was a rite of passage. I was
> able to take communion because I had confessed my own faith in Christ,
> not had it done for me as at my baptism. If we allow children to take
> communion before they are confirmed, will they wish to carry out that
> further indication of their faith?
> 
> So, your thoughts please. What happens in your own churches, or just
> your views if you don't attend a church.
> 
> If there is a B5 quote suitable for this discussion, then I can use it
> in my monthly church magazine article.
> 
> Many thanks, and I look forward to some interesting responses.
> 
> 
> Ranger Elenopa
> 
> 
> 

.
                                                                               
                                  
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