Pros and cons of pews vs open floor plans.

Pros of pews:

• Imparts a rigid, ordered structure on the temple like the celestial hierarchy in Pseudo-Dionysius.
  
• Awkward, sideways prostrations are very humbling.
  
• Children more completely confined so church not mistaken for fun.
  
• Annoy "traditionalists".
  

Cons of pews:

• Are you ready for a toaca solo?
  
• Hard to catch a good nap.
  
• Can't be sure the church still doesn't belong to Protestants.
  
• Might have to sit next to somebody some day.
  
• EDIT: No escape from the Holy Handshake (not that there's anything wrong with that).
  

Pros of an open floor plan:

• Accentuates how utterly empty the space is.
  
• Children can get a good running start for the Royal Doors or at least the candle stands.
  
• Less wood-polishing.
  
• Services 16% more holy.
  

Cons of an open floor plan:

• Extremely awkward to pick out a place to stand with no reference to anchor to.
  
• The "getting out of the way of the censer" dance demeans us both.
  
• "Traditionalists" like it.
  
• Some other unfortunate church bought your pews.