do you go to religiously affiliated playgroups? Two of the 3 groups that are in the area are affiliated with a church. One of the organizers I've emailed with and she assured me I'd be welcome but it seems awkward to me to sit quietly through their devotional and prayers to get to the 'mom chat' and let my baby play. Right? Or am I overthinking this?
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Seems awkward...but I'd take my kid just because mine specifically doesn't have anyone to play with his age (none in our social circle).
I am religious, just not Christian. So, if I went t a Christian thing, I'd just avoid the topic? You aren't tied down. Maybe you could try it once and never come back if it is uncomfortable. -
I would not (and do not) go to religious-affiliated playgroups.
If they are held in a Church or affiliated with a Church, or specify in their meetup post (or local craigslist, or flyer or whatever) that they are specifically religious affiliated, I would assume religion would be important to them (otherwise, why mention it?) and it's not for me, or my child.
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We're not particularly religious, and this has crossed my mind as I look into part-time care/mom's day out for LO at some point in the future. Just about all of the less-costly options are church-affiliated.
If I can find a practical secular option, I will. Otherwise, I'll probably go with a church-affiliated program from a denomination I'm more comfortable with.
I probably would be weirded out sitting through a bunch of it myself, though.
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is your lo exposed to the devotionals/prayers? i don't know that i would be comfortable with that. but then again i have considered sending lo to a church preschool when the time comes just so he can get a little biblical background.
if the organizer and everyone else is cool with it and you don't mind lo being exposed to religion then i say go for it. i think it's nice they welcome non-religious folks.
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I wouldn't. However, I have this fear that I'm always trying to be sucked in...like a cult lol
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Personally, I'd be too uncomfortable. What happens when, after going for awhile and not contributing during devotional/prayers, they call you out and ask for your input? I'm sure they'd just do it to try to draw you out, not thinking your lack of devotional participation could be because you don't share their beliefs. It sounds really awkward to me.
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@TurtleDoves: That is a good point. The only drawback is a few of the moms in it are in the other group so I'm not sure if it'd be awkward if I decided I didn't want to go back?
@jmarionsmith: I so appreciate they didn't care if I was agnostic!
@junebugmama: haha that did not occur to me as a fear. i'm pretty stubborn though
@allison: Yeah, I told her upfront that I wasn't religious when I emailed asking if the group was - maybe I could wear a scarlet A on my shirt haha. Or sit in the hall until playtime started..
Ok, I'm thinking my initial reaction was probably the right one, it's not for me. Glad I'm not the only one. I just hate feeling like he never sees any other babies!
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I've never been to one but I'm guessing there are many that aren't all that religious. I'd ask someone who goes.
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I wouldn't. I would feel uncomfortable with attending prayer, and would also worry that the conversation might focus on religion if the playgroup meets in the same space.
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We went to a playgroup in a church activity center this spring a few times and I am definitely an atheist. I went a little hesitant, but it was ok because there was absolutely nothing religious about it. The only thing they asked for was a small donation at the end to contribute to the church since the church did not charge the playgroup. I definitely wouldn't go to one that had any sort of religious undertones though.
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