Church

United States
December 9, 2018 3:49pm CST
Today we went to church. Saw this couple who are regular church goers. When it was time to shake hands for peace offering, I go to a Catholic church with my husband, to keep the faith. I am about to become a Christian. Back to what I was saying... After shaking hands with the couple and we had to kneel as the practice is, while waiting for the priest and his fellow priests sat, I smelled alcohol. I thought somebody near the door had a little bit of alcohol before coming to church. When my husband and I sat after praying, he told me that they (the couple0 used hand sanitizers, right after they shook hands with us. After the mass, I spoke with a couple and told them about that incident, they told us, they have been avoiding that couple ever since it was done to them too. I am not really sure if they have issues with other race or are they just scared (paranoid) of the viruses or bacteria or airborne sicknesses and diseases.
7 people like this
7 responses
@DWDavis (25805)
• United States
9 Dec 18
I have noticed many folks in church during cold and flu season using hand sanitizer both before and after the passing of the peace. I see no harm in it as it does cut down on the potential spread of germs and illness.
4 people like this
• United States
9 Dec 18
I wish that they could do it in a little bit more private way, like going to the restroom, so it doesn't offend anybody. They were not sick and so is my husband and I. Nobody else was beside them and us either. I'm just saying.
1 person likes this
• Valdosta, Georgia
9 Dec 18
The reason for going to church is SO much more important than what other people do or don't do there. I'm sure they weren't trying to be rude and we are all unintentionally offensive at times when we don't mean to be...
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
9 Dec 18
I think there are many who are just afraid of the germs. It is not meant to be personal.
2 people like this
• United States
9 Dec 18
Some people will go to extreme measures to keep from getting ill. The way they went about it is inappropriate, but I wouldn't let it bother you. I don't think they meant to be offensive.
2 people like this
• United States
9 Dec 18
Thank you :-) I'll keep that in mind :-)
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Dec 18
@proseprity68 I know it's not always easy to keep from being offended or insulted by things like that. I try to live by "Is it a fleeting thought or will this have impact on me for a long time?"
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Dec 18
@ScribbledAdNauseum, I will choose "just a fleeting thought". Bit by bit, eversince I read what you said, I am internalizing what happened and how I felt earlier. I have told myself that what the couple did isn't as important as my faith in God has always been and forever will be.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51369)
• Canada
9 Dec 18
To each their own. Maybe they have a compromised immune system and cannot afford to get ill. Regardless, they did what they felt that they needed to do. Its surprising that they didn't just nod, that is what I do when I don't want to shake hands.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50526)
• United States
9 Dec 18
Hopefully it was not done for negative reasons.
2 people like this
• United States
9 Dec 18
I hope and like what @ScribbledAdNauseum said, "but I wouldn't let it bother you". I think it was just the timing and where they did it. But anyways... they will never be the reason for me not to go to church anymore :-)
1 person likes this
@Courage7 (19633)
• United States
9 Dec 18
It seems many are of the thought that it is just fear of germs. I tend to agree with that theory.
1 person likes this