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Readers tell who gets to sit where in a pew

DEAR ABBY: May I comment on your response to "Got Here First in Pennsylvania," who asked whether someone sitting at the end of a church pew should move if someone comes and says it's his or her "favorite seat"?

DEAR ABBY: May I comment on your response to "Got Here First in Pennsylvania," who asked whether someone sitting at the end of a church pew should move if someone comes and says it's his or her "favorite seat"?

There are many reasons why people remain sitting at the end of a pew: An allergy to perfumes can be overwhelming if you're sitting in the middle of a row, claustrophobia, weak bladder, physical limitations, the need for more leg room and the need to use the armrest to stand up and sit down.

The early bird does get the worm and shouldn't be expected to give it to latecomers. Likewise, possession is nine-tenths of the law.

If people have a favorite seat, they should arrive early to ensure they'll get it. That's what we do. And when someone wants to sit in the same pew, we smile, step aside and let the person in while retaining our end seats.

- Overland Park, Kan., attendee

DEAR ATTENDEE: When I told "Got Here" to be an angel and shove over, readers were quick to offer me "chapter and verse":

DEAR ABBY: I'm 6 feet 2 inches, weigh 350 pounds and have size 15 feet. I also take a medication that causes me to use the restroom often and on short notice. I arrive early and take my end seat not to be rude, but to make things as convenient as possible for others.

- Doug B. in Milwaukee

DEAR ABBY: As a pastor, I believe nobody "owns" a seat in the sanctuary. If someone else happens to be there, we simply find somewhere else.

If "Got Here" was just starting to visit that church, I'd suggest he/she find a more charitable and hospitable congregation and leave those territorial folks behind.

- Jeanne in Austin

DEAR ABBY: How can you say that one person, in the house of God, is more right than another in this situation? Is the shovee not committing the sin of coveting that seat?

- Missoula, Mont., reader