Crumbs from the Table

Today I attended Friday prayers at the mosque for the first time. I didn't participate in the prayers, but I was present, and the chairman of the mosque kindly interpreted for me. The mosque I attended was the Al-Mahdi Foundation in Bury (Shia Muslim).  Friday prayers is the equivalent of the Christian Sunday morning service. In the UK and other similar countries, Friday prayers come in the middle of the working day on a Friday, which means that for many attendance represents a sacrifice, while others are prevented from attending. The whole thing lasts for just over an hour.  Those attending prayers should have washed beforehand. There is a separate place for performing ablutions before worship. The procedure is more complex than thorough handwashing. It includes washing your mouth twice and expressing the intention to stand before Allah in prayer.  Before people arrive, long sheets are laid out with pre-printed spaces for individual worshippers (instead of individual prayer mats).

You may have heard of "nones" (those of no religious affiliation or belief). What about "dones"? This refers to those who are now "nones", but previously were believers. "Dones" have "deconverted" and "dechurched". They are "done" with religious affiliation and/or belief.  According to recent statistics , in some countries "dones" may represent as much as 20% of the population.   What is the difference between a "none" and a "done"? Well, "nones" do not have any religious affiliation or faith and never have, while "dones" have gone from a place of religious involvement to now no longer affiliating to any religion or having any religious faith (religious deidentification).  A recent article identifies several different reasons why people become "dones": some stop believing in a higher power, or feel disconnected from him (it), "others stop following the