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Talk It Out:
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"Here
are a few reasons I can think of that a
church might adopt this policy:
* A very large crowd, limited toilets available as the church was built for a much smaller crowd * The issue of cleaning not just bathrooms, but the areas used to access bathrooms such as entryway, hallway, etc. * The responsibility of volunteers to ensure that only bathrooms are accessed and not the expensive audio, video, or office equipment. These are a few thoughts that come to mind." ~ Lorrie "It’s
ridiculous that a church would not let you use their facilities.
Even at my own home, if someone is at a yard sale I was having, I would
allow them to use the restroom. Especially if there was a child that
needed to use the potty. I would not allow them in my home alone, I
would accompany them inside and stay close by, just in case.
"I
have heard that this sort of thing actually has to do with
churches' insurance policies, protecting them from potential
lawsuits over someone possibly being accosted while in the
restroom on their property. I don't think it is necessarily a
conscious separating people into 'us' vs. 'them' - at least
I sure hope not! - but simply insurance issues. In our town,
a church took a lot of public flack because it was located at the
end of a riverside trail and wouldn't allow people using the trail
to park in the church parking lot. Insurance issues again.
I think this says much about being 'in the world but not of
it': do we really need that insurance? Isn't it better to behave charitably
and trust the Lord for the outcome?" ~ Betty
"Here in our small regional
centre in rural
"I think on the most part our
churches have a very closed door policy on almost anything and
everything. Our homeschool group has trouble finding a building to
meet in or to have a curriculum sale in. My husband and I are
adopting a special needs orphan from another country and we had
trouble getting a building to have a fundraising dinner in. So I
don't think it stops or starts with restrooms. And yes, it doesn't
make us look good to our community." ~ Kathy
"I here in PA have never heard of such a things. If there is people at the church for ANY event the doors are open and the bathrooms are also! You can even find a glass of ice water in the kitchen if you need one! I have never heard of anything like you explained and would be appalled by that behavior so much so I think I would have to talk to or send a letter to the pastor and congregation about the message they are sending!" ~ Gail "Our church has an open door policy. We had one experience that might explain some congregations hesitancy about allowing open access to the building. We had some youth that were upset at a young man in our congregation so they went into the Mother's Room just off the women's restroom and wrote derogatory and very offensive remarks ALL over the walls with permanent markers. It was a shock for the women the following Sunday. Also I have heard of people hiding in the rest rooms until the building is locked up and then having free reign of the building once everyone was gone." ~ Sandy
"The first reasons
that come to mind are: Vandalism and Theft. Imagine all
the busy activity with a church sale, and some of the patrons of
that sale entering the church and stealing religious articles,
decorations, items from the Sunday school for children,
furniture, kitchen, etc. Some kids (adults, too)
think it is funny and cute to unravel toilet paper, squirt
soap on the floor, steal supplies, and many other forms of
vandalism and general debauchery. Also, do you ask the owner of
the houses who host sales to use THEIR bathroom? I doubt
it, and the answer would likely be "No"." ~ Jenny
Editor's Note: Thanks to these subscribers for taking the time to respond. |