To not want my DC to participate in nativity?

[Spru]

I asked school to excuse DC from nativity (due to religious reasons - we do not depict jesus/mary/joseph.) They were absolutely fine with it. Happened to mention this to work colleagues - and they basically told me that I wasn't willing to integrate!

I was a bit shocked that they saw it like this despite the fact that I explained why. I didn't realise that this decision was perceived as a lack of willingness to integrate - in a country which I have been born and brought up in.

I had to bite my tongue for the sake of peace!

So...MN jury... AIBU to exclude DC from nativity for religious reasons (note: DC is not excluded from other christmas activities at school). Am I just not integrating well into the society that I was born and brought up in?

TIA

(please be gentle)

YANBU.

The level of intolerance and ignorance on this, and other AIBU threads, is simply astounding. 'non integration' is the latest weapon with which to bash any community which is considered different.

I have learned loads from this thread some great some not so much

Yes I didn't know depicting the prophets was blasphemous( sorry if that's not quite right and sorry to b a bit thick) op in that case you have to decide to satisfy your own beliefs I think.

V interesting thread.

I think it's sad that some people feel the only way to integrate into society is by foregoing their own beliefs.

Surely as a society we all need to be much more accepting of individual difference rather than expecting everyone to fit into one Way of living?

Religion, such a wonderful divisive thing.....

And I think much of this offence and outrage and awkwardness is just attention seeking.

I cannot believe people are still running the "it's just a story" line.

I believe it's just a story. I would be more than happy for my DD to be Mary because it's the star role and she'd get to dress up and show off. IMO it's just like getting to be Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.

The OP, OTOH, presumably believes (as per the Quran) that it is not just a story, and that Mary actually did conceive a baby as a virgin by the direct intervention of God. Telling her that she should treat it as a fairytale is not likely to be persuasive.

inclusion - the definition (bare with me, I am on a course..... a job centre course..... its fine.... but I miss my 'real job') is NOT treat everyone the same, do the same to everyone.... but to celebrate DIFFERENCE and allow people their OWN wishes and preferences.

Their is no intolerance in OPs postings - she is not suggesting the play doesn;t happen. Only to not join in. No big deal.

I am (well.... was before redundancy and many many courses....) and we had no prob in allowing children to do sifferent things. Some children had bigger writing, some signed carols, some danced to xmas pop, some sang about diwali etc etc. Its the difference in us that make us interesting.

How do your kids feel about it OP?

Well in my head the Koran is just a smooth blank space. And that's how I like to imagine it. And that's how I want my children to observe it.

Op you will get from me exactly what you are giving out.

Blackberry how is that even remotely the same thing?

The OP hasn't asked anyone to change how they act, simply chosen not to take part in something that her religion doesn't agree with.

On the other hand it would seem Blackberry is unwilling to accept anyones views but her own.

Are you a Christian, Balckberry? Because it may interest you to know I am an atheist who has read the Bible. I see no blank space where the Bible is. I think that would be ignorant and arrogant of me. Being horrible, judgmental and generalising about others' beliefs and culture is alien to me.

Hi all,

just checked and found this thread has been busy.... :)

Still catching up....

Will write more as soon as i have got to the end.

:)

ok...got to the end....

Thank you again for the many who are taking the time out to explain to some what my OP

Blackberry I am still unsure what I have said that may have caused offense?

My son went to a church primary school where they had a nativity and had a christian ethos. However, they did teach other religions (had Diwali, Ede (sorry if I spelled that wrong). I was never asked if I wanted my son not to learn about other religions it was just done and we were unaware. I wouldnt have expected them to allow my son not to learn about other religions and values - I felt it was important for him to learn these things to help him make choices later on in life. He has to decide for himself and make an informed choice. I shouldnt force him to be anything but who he is. I feel that way for all humans but that is just my opinion.

MrsClown that is a good attitude, one that I think the OP shares. She likes learning about other religions and wants her DC to do the same. It is actively participating in something she considers to be contrary to her beliefs (portraying the Prophets) that she is against. Sorry OP to speak for you.

It would be like my DC visiting a Church (fine) and crossing themselves (less fine) and being made to pray (not fine at all).

MrsClown the OP hasn't stated any problems with children learning about other religions. However her religion (and therefore the religion her child is being raised in) states that you don't depict prophets which is why she has taken the choice to withdraw him from this one activity.

YABU. I have worked people that were of a different faith and they joined in Christmas celebrations and sent Christmas cards.

*with people

Im not saying the OP is or isnt, I was just stating my opinion. I can understand people have different ways of looking at this issue.

Oh sorry, I thought smooth blank spaces were honourable substitutes for other peoples customs and beleifs.