to resent indoctrination through the medium of candy canes?

[MillionToOneChances]

The children came out of the infants school today gleefully waving candy canes. It transpired they'd been handed out by the local vicar and, as I was solemnly informed, the red stripe is the blood of Jesus, the white stripe is the soul of Jesus and the green stripe represents the Christmas tree. I was torn between eye-rolling and surreptitious belly laughs. The children took it as the gospel truth. AIBU to think they're pushing the indoctrination a bit hard, with a side order of bribery?

As one of my clients said when I related this at collection, "it's meant to be a non-denominational school... and don't forget [6 year old son], we're JEWISH!"

Ive never heard of that one! It would put me off eating it to be honest!

faire the gifts and the tree are pagan

Yes I know but using the word 'Christmas' with presents is linking it with Christ and Christianity. Perhaps we should adopt the American 'Happy Holidays' so that those who object to religion being linked to Christmas can chose not to.

I don't think any one has a problem with the Christian message per se, Fairenuff, just this particular vicar's peculiar mish-mash.

Our parish priest reckoned a percentage of people entered the Church be as an alternative to a career on the stage. Lots of theatre, and stories, and dressing up.

Perhaps the washy washy vicar with peculiar ideas was one of those?

It reminds me of father ted:

'Dougal, did you know that you can praise God by going to sleep?
'Isn't that funny Ted. Remember when you told me that I could praise god just by leaving the room?'

Like I said before I've no problem with religious people celebrating the midwinter holiday as Christ's birth (though he wasn't born then). As for the name it is too late to separate it now. It would have been better had the church not appropriated the existing holiday and renamed it.

Though come to think of it maybe the church would prefer to pick another day for their devotions. I'm not saying they have to, but many a Christian has said they dislike the connection to the secular celebration and commercialisation. Members could then do both on different days if they wanted.

That's big of you.

Of course, the reason we have the secular holiday is because capitalism appropriated the Christian festival. But don't let that get in the way of a chance to be patronising.

NoArman thanks :) I didn't know that. Wasn't meaning to cause anyone any offence either.

niminy you seem to be following me around today like a black cloud, but it's ok I am cheerful enough for both of us.

capitalism appropriated the Christian festival

I suppose you actually believe Jesus was born on that day and it was reserved in advance when god created the world.

Oh you silver-tongued charmer! Don't flatter yourself.

Perhaps you could point to where I say that I believe Jesus was born on 25 Dec in the year 0?

Anyway, that has no relevance to my observation that capitalism has appropriated an existing Christian festival. I don't think it's big news that Christmas has become a more important festival since capitalism appropriated it - roughly speaking, in the mid-nineteenth century.

Ha! I'm Catholic but that would annoy me because it's not even a THING. It's just a sweet, shut up and eat it.

I do think the vicars candy cane message is weak (though perhaps more effective they you give him credit for given the discussion that has followed). But if you listen to many children's addresses in church you will find using weird props to get a message across is very common; chocolates, stuffed toys, potatoes, furniture, globes, sand, candles, mirrors, random bits of paper, fruit, sweets, paper aeroplanes, flowers... The list is endless and the messages vary from inspirational and thought provoking to dull meaningless drivel.

Using a prop to try to get a message across... I genuinely don't get what people are getting het up about. I went to ds school to talk about my job what I believe I do day to day if you like.... And I took props
In doing a after school sports group just now and yes I will give them some kind of Sweet year at the one before Christmas that ties in with what I teach them, (chocolate football's are hard to find though so it may be reindeer!)

Niminy, Of course Christmas became commercial. Too much so imo as this has led to an obsession with buying the best Christmas and makes people miserable leading up to it.

I avoid saying things like 'taken over by capitalism' as that makes it sound too much like those secret world government conspiracies. I doubt anyone sat down with a plan to conquer Christmas.

But of course it existed before it was appropriated by Christianity. Part pagan, part just using the downtime when you couldn't do much farming to enjoy having made it through another year. Other god's have shared it too. More than I could name off hand, but I expect someone has compiled a history. It's linked to the Roman Saturnalia too.

Like I said, everyone can use it for their own celebration. It's not anyone's property. I wasn't even being sarcastic when I wondered if Christians would be happier moving the more dignified religious part over a bit so it wasn't overshadowed.

"I got some sweets in school and teacher says they have human blood in them"

The vicar came to dd's school when she was in reception, and put a little felt Christmas tree on the table and the kids all chatted about it. Then he said something about showing them the true meaning of a Christmas, whipped off the Christmas tree and it turned out to be a sort of "cosy" for a crucifix. Proper nasty, that was.

Why do some Christians do these hideous things? It gives all the lovely decent ones a bad name. Like those Beach Missions that lure children in with bouncy castles and things, then hit them with the evangelising stuff...

I told the boss today about this thread (he's a vicar) and the one bout a headteacher having to tell the kids in his school that there really was a Santa (the priest had said that there wasn't). He wasn't very impressed!

Most vicars don't really like Christmas. Shhh don't tell.

I'm happy to be indoctrinated through the medium of sweets but would rather purple quality street. With the hard chocolate shell, the caramel and the nut inside there is plenty of scope for metaphor.

I am a hard sell so would need quite a few.

I could be bought for a box of after eights.

Bottle of Gordon's would do me.

Baileys for me!