o.k. So my hubby wanted to go to church yesterday. It was a non-denominational one in the town next to ours. I went along because he feels he needs a church to attend to keep him on the right track. And I wanted to support him even though I am anti-organized religion. Anyway, I thought either way it may be a good experience for the family. WRONG!
On the way into the sanctuary for service, an usher stops us at the door. He says to us "your children cannot go into the sanctuary if they are younger than 13." My kids are 12 and 14, both short like me. My hubby says "my daughter is 14, my son just 12 but we are here on our first visit, and would like the kids to stay with us". The usher tells us that the church feels it better for children to go to the childrens bible study instead. I asked why? and he says so they do not distrubt the service. Then I tell him how our kids grew up attending religious services more than 5 hours per week in the local kh and have not distrubted any services since they outgrew diapers. Then he insisted that he can let it slide this time but if we came back - my son would have to go to the kids bible study. I am like WHAT???? I never heard of children not being allowed to attend church with their parents. I thought children's bible programs were optional? I blasted him by saying "where in the bible does it say that you have to be 13 to attend services in a church?". Of course no answer. I then asked him "aren't you being a little legalistic?". - no answer. And to top it off I said "wasn't Jesus 12 when he was found by his parents discussing the scriptures in the synogauge with the religious leaders of his day? Of course I am not attending this church again. Do you all think I am overeacting?
Maybe I feel this way because I utterly dispise legalism having dealt with that enough as a witness. Lilly