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)

thebody I don't think that's what Lady means. I read her post as meaning that practically it's quite difficult for religious parents to just let the children choose. E.g. if you don't eat pork, you won't be willing to buy it and cook it for your children just so that they can choose later. And if you really believe that your children could go to hell for acting in a set way or believing certain things, then you wouldn't feel able to let them choose- you'd want to teach them in order to stop them from going to hell.

Yes, many children/adults will not follow their parents' beliefs, but I can see why 'let them choose' doesn't feel like an appropriate choice for the parents.

Oh ok I was just being really nosey

"my imaginary friend doesn't like me to make pictures of other imaginary friends in a play about events that never actually happened in a book written 400 years after the events that no one could prove .... if I let my kids do this my imaginary friend would be really upset, but its probably ok coz these festivals are all stolen from the pagans anyway"

threads like this just show what a bloody nonsense ALL religion is

I think whether you are religious or not it's a nice little story.

My daughter is Mary this year (she has severe learning disabilities) I asked her who was Joseph and she said "T, T is Joseph but he is not baby's daddy' 'Oh' i said, 'who is baby's daddy?' expecting her to say God

'J' she said 'J is baby's Daddy, not T'

I blame the episode of Jeremy Kyle she watched at my Mother's house

RiaUnderTheMistletoe I'm looking at you. I hope you have a sickle and robe or you are a HYPOCRITE.

Spru 90% of Christmas for most people is cultural not religious. Otherwise we would put our Pagan trees up on the Eve (the first night of Christmas) rather than in bloody November. Do what you like, I certainly do. I'm an atheist who does Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid and whatever else I can get myself invited to.

OP you sound very reasonable (and nice and friendly in the face of some baffling hostility on this thread).

YANBU. The school are happy, your kids are happy, the other kids are happy, you're happy.

I don't see anything wrong with enjoying the bits of Christmas (or any other celebration() that you like and not doing the bits you don't like / don't agree with.

Oh dear sounds like your dd has been watching Maury they are awash with baby daddys

I'm an atheist who does Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid and whatever else I can get myself invited to.

so you just like a feed and a party then

Hell yeah, Mrsjay. Note that I don't participate in the fasting before the feasting. Lent and Ramadan are not for me.

Lent and Ramadan are not for me.

you are just picking and choosing now !

Shit, does that mean I am a hypocrite? Even my emoticons are hypocrites.

LimeLeaf Thank you. I am kind of used to baffling hostility nowadays, so this is pretty much what I expected from those who wish to be that way inclined.

I also have received great support from the minority of people on this thread - of all religions and none, i should add! :)

I wish I knew how to do the emoticon with a santa's hat, but that to some would probably be hypocritical of me as I am picking and choosing.

X-post

you beat me to it again MrsTP!

How was my post racist??I can everyone is ignoring my valid point...

Shit, does that mean I am a hypocrite? Even my emoticons are hypocrites.

I dont think there is a idont give a shiny shit emoction there should be though

No Christmas hats for you, Spru.

Or you MrsJay.

Do what you like OP you're going to be judged by someone whatever you do :)

Do what you feel is right and if they feel the need to judge you let them get on with it

Nah, MrsT, you're only doing holidays and festivals you're invited too - Lent & Ramadan don't have invitations so you're okay cause you can't do it if you're not invited .

wanna christmas hat from MrsT

found them!

Shit I've just realised I buy Christmas presents and have a [pagan] tree but don't take my DC to church on Christmas eve because I am Buddhist I am obviously a hypocrite and also not integrated op.

Perhaps we should start our own integration free club, where we are all free to make our own choices and follow our own beliefs?

Spru you're right, more people have been supportive of you than not and there will always be some hostile people no matter what you do / who you are.

The festive smilelys list is at the bottom of the page (put an 'f' before the usual smiley word) so enjoy!

x posts!

At least I have the decency to be embarrassed by my hypocrisy OP :p