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[Patrocles]

Charlie,

living in a region which is half catholic, half protestant I've often compared the two - and I suppose that they are different with respect for social inhibitions.

Catholics wouldn't have so much inhibitions to interfere (ask, thank) for each other; and catholics are traditionally used to pray for each other - a custom which is quite naturally extended to the relation between the living and the dead. the living praying for the dead and vice versa. We always have to see this as the frame for the so-called "veneration of saints".

Basically I think that protestants (or ex-protestants like me) have to surpass their inhibitions. On the other hand I appreciate your point that there are intimate relations in which no third person can or must interfere or substitute you. (As in an Italian family the parents or relations may sometimes naively interfere and disturb the intimacy of a young couple whereas in a German protestant family everyone would be trained to "leave them alone".)

On the whole I suppose that there is no general rule about interfering or non-interfering in everyday life - we have to be flexible according to the situations. The same may be true in religious life.