going to church while sick

[janny108]

Hi,
what do you all think about people who go to church sick? Sometimes I think it's commendable that they are not letting being sick get them down and miss the worship and fellowship of others. But other times I think some folks should be home esp if they have communicable illnesses(bronchitis for ex.).

Last week I hugged a lady who'd come to church. She had bronchitis and a few days later I came down with a cold. I'm pretty resistant to getting things like that from other people.

Your thoughts?
Jan

 

[goldenviolet]

if someone sick sat next to me, i'd pray for them and extra hard for me!
if contagious stuff does stay home, they could be delievered a phone call, flowers, card, sermon tape, or dvd, and soup, etc. we've always done that. are you sure she was contagious, because if on antibotics, the third day is considered non-contagious.

 

[janny108]

If she was not, perhaps other people were contagious.
Jan

 

[madison1101]

I am totally in agreement that if someone is contagious, they should stay home. I am a teacher, and kids always come to school sick and they say their parents know they are sick. For that reason, I take Airborne, a nutritional supplement for my immune system.

I just pray for the people who are sick, that they would have wisdom to stay home and rest, and not spread their germs.

 

[FireOfGod]

I think church is the best place to be, especially if you're sick. Church is a place of prayer. We get things done there!! Including healing. If someone comes in sick, we pray for them, they get healed, and we don't receive any sickness.

 

[bumblebee62331]

It's the same as going to work feeling ill. You should still go if you feel up to it and if you aren't infectious, but if you're infectious, you'd be better off staying at home. Sure, someone might miss you at work/church, but at least you won't infect half the congregation!

I look around at church and if I see someone who's sick, I try to steer clear of the germs. You can still hug them, but you do it ... safely.

EDIT: Come to think of it, why was that woman hugging people? Sure, go to church if you are sick, but when I know that I am infectious, I stay at the back, out of everyone's way!

 

[heron]

I used to be legalistic and stoic, going to church when I was sick, until I had kids. When I realized that they got sick EVERY WEEK the day after church, it occurred to me that spreading germs was not a good thing.

Thank you for bringing this up!

 

[janny108]

It's the same as going to work feeling ill. You should still go if you feel up to it and if you aren't infectious, but if you're infectious, you'd be better off staying at home. Sure, someone might miss you at work/church, but at least you won't infect half the congregation!

I look around at church and if I see someone who's sick, I try to steer clear of the germs. You can still hug them, but you do it ... safely.

EDIT: Come to think of it, why was that woman hugging people? Sure, go to church if you are sick, but when I know that I am infectious, I stay at the back, out of everyone's way!

I guess some people find it hard to do that.
Jan

 

[Sketcher]

If you'd go to work or school in that condition why not church. If you'd just be a distraction, ie coughing and sneezing nonstop, or if there's someone in very frail condition there, those are good reasons to stay home. Of course, if you're feeling bad enough to stay home from work or school, it is fine to stay home from church as well.

 

[heron]

"If you'd just be a distraction, ie coughing and sneezing nonstop, or if there's someone in very frail condition there, those are good reasons to stay home"

That's a good point---the elderly, people who just got out of surgery, people with low immune response--we assume everyone is feeling normal.

 

[JohnGalt]

Someone who is contagious should stay home out of courtesy for the elderly and children. A small cold to you might mean a serious, weeks-long illness for an elderly person.

If you're sick, and not contagious, and as long as you aren't completely bedridden, you should be at church.

JMHO

 

[bumblebee62331]

I guess some people find it hard to do that.
Jan

To do what? Sorry, I'm not sure which of my points you are referring to.

 

[dalej42]

I'll agree with the "stay home if you're contagious" crowd. You know when you're contagious. Plus, coughing, sneezing, and just feeling miserable during the service isn't fun. Wait until you're better and then go back. If you recover during the week, go to a mid week service. If your church doesn't do midweek services, find one that does.

Otherwise, see what your (or other) churches has online or on television. Check the radio. Many churches will broadcast their service

At work, I'll ask people to go home if they're too sick to be there. Better they be in bed and getting well, rather than infecting the whole office..

 

[janny108]

To do what? Sorry, I'm not sure which of my points you are referring to.

About some people being contagious coming to church and hugging people rather than sort of staying in the background. Come to think of it, I think I initiated the hug because I thought she was all better. But I think you get the idea. Someone (I forget who,sorry) suggested that sick people would sort of stay in the background.
Jan

 

[janny108]

About some people being contagious coming to church and hugging people rather than sort of staying in the background. Come to think of it, I think I initiated the hug because I thought she was all better. But I think you get the idea. Someone (I forget who,sorry) suggested that sick people would sort of stay in the background.
Jan

I should have added, and staying home if you are sick so you don't spread lots of germs.
Jan

 

[caireann]

I think for school and/or work you should stay home... but I don't know about church... it's God's house... the Healer of the Universe... seems to me that you should go. Not only will God take care of you, but He'll take care of everyone else as well. *shrug* just my thoughts... doesn't mean they're right

 

[bumblebee62331]

About some people being contagious coming to church and hugging people rather than sort of staying in the background. Come to think of it, I think I initiated the hug because I thought she was all better. But I think you get the idea. Someone (I forget who,sorry) suggested that sick people would sort of stay in the background.
Jan

Yeah I think that was me that said it. It's just -- if you have chicken pox, you should stay at home. If you really want a service, I'm sure the priest could come to your home. If you have something else that's infectious, you could still go to the church and sing and pray and take part, but you need to be aware that others might become ill because of you being there - so you should stay at the back, out of the way. It doesn't mean you drift into the woodwork, or don't hear the music at the same level as those in front of you - you are still very much involved in the service - it doens't matter where you stand when you just want to praise God - but I think if you are infectious, it is polite to just sit in at the back, or at least warn people when they come to hug you that you're not feeling well.

You don't know who could be pregnant, or ill, or anything.

 

[CFpetRESCUER20]

It's the same as going to work feeling ill. You should still go if you feel up to it and if you aren't infectious, but if you're infectious, you'd be better off staying at home. Sure, someone might miss you at work/church, but at least you won't infect half the congregation!

I look around at church and if I see someone who's sick, I try to steer clear of the germs. You can still hug them, but you do it ... safely.

EDIT: Come to think of it, why was that woman hugging people? Sure, go to church if you are sick, but when I know that I am infectious, I stay at the back, out of everyone's way!

I wouldn't attempt to hug the person. I would not mind shaking their hand. I don't like it when people touch my computer without washing their hand either.

 

[whatseekye]

someone brought their baby to church for the first time and another person let their five year old touch the baby, running their hands over the baby's head and touching the baby's hands. Only after the five year old had already been touching the baby did the parent say, "Oh, don't touch the baby's hands." then turning to the parent of the new baby, she explained, "My kid has a cold".

I wish people would stay home when they are sick and would most of all keep their kids home if they are sick.

 

[Treasurer]

I understand why people dont want sick people at church. However, why? What is the real motivation behind it? It is a fear thing isnt it? We dont (are afraid) want to get sick.

Under the old law way of thinking jewish peoples didnt enter the homes of gentiles because they didnt want to become infected by their...sinfulness, wicked ways.

So by this same way of thinking we are saying under the old law we do not wish to become infected by their illness (the sin-which under the old law is how it is percieved).

But Jesus made it clear he removes sickness and disease and all manor of those things. He even made Peter aware that the old law of infection was now fulfilled thru him and Peter could enter into the house of a gentile.

How can that be? Could it be we have nothing to fear? Well I believe that to be true: 1 John says-God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we are like Christ here in this world.

Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that his love has not been perfected in us. We love each other as a result of his loving us first. If someone says, "I love God", but hates a christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we dont love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we have not seen? And God himself has commanded that we must love not only him but our christian brothers and sisters, too.

The Lord has given us his Spirit (which we see in the gospel of John chapters 14, 15, and 16), and this shows that we are a part of him and he us. Jesus healed the sick. And Jesus was able to go in among the sick, even wicked people and not be infected by their wicked ways.

See for me, I dont see sin any differently than sickness. Both infect and are contageous. But only if you let them be that way. Jesus gave us his protection we just have to put it on.

And you know what? I ask you this: if Jesus came while you were sick, lame, diseased, or contageous, should you be left behind because of that? I mean isnt a large group of believers "the church"? Or would you expect the Lord to make you whole.

That is what I thought too, I would want to be made whole. And well.

For years I went to this church, and in the back sat this kid. He must have grown up in this church, and he had downs syndrome- I think that is what they are calling it now a days. And you know I dont ever remember them praying for this kid, or laying hands on him, or annointing his head with oil.

Man I used to think why doesnt the church have him healed. To me (and mind you this is me) but a church just doesnt shout out faith-hey look at me I believe, when it has people who are constantly there and never once in their lives see Jesus. Never see healing and restoration of the soul. So that they might be a living testimony and witness, to the glory of God.

Personally I find that sad.

(I guess that is why I personally have quit relying on the local churches to tell me the truth, and teach me the way to life. I figure the only one who really knows it is God, so I will ask him).

I apologize if this comes across as rude or offensive. These are my thoughts and opinions.

Bless you