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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think the parish newsletter is not appropriate

755 replies

NikoBellic · 28/03/2015 21:51

I'm not talking about the notices regarding the horticultural society, nor am I referring to the village "300 Club", or Gwen's amazing contribution to the village hall this month...

...I realise that unless you live in a rural area, much like fibre broadband, you won't get this...

Each month the parish council post a newsletter through my front door. A quaint little wedge of folded paper with some useful information on local gas safe engineers and who is raising what for which charity, interspersed with reminders to pick up dog poo. The outer cover is usually a lot quality 1995 clip art file along religious lines, printed onto coloured paper of some sort. This month, for the start of spring and the Easter period, its a sort of yellow. Its the cover that I'm not completely comfortable with...

We always hear, particularly from the type of person who lives in a village and reads the parish newsletter, that children should not be subjected to images of violence, sex, and general "bad stuff"...

SO WHY IS OK TO POST A PICTURE OF A BLEEDING MAN BEING CRUCIFIED THROUGH MY LETTERBOX!? (Even if it is in 1995 clip art form).

If I were to post an image of a man being hung through someone's front door I'd have to face, at the very least, a police caution. Seems like double standards from where I'm sat.

In an area where Nigel Farage gets a pat on the back (a man who is offended by seeing a breastfeeding mother in a pub...) why does religion get special dispensation?

Is it OK because its, you know, Jesus?

Am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
nochocolateforlentteacake · 30/03/2015 14:42

In not sure if the crucified Santa in a Japanese department store is an urban myth or not...

Springtulip · 30/03/2015 14:46

Yes I'll answer your question Binkybix. Do I think it's fine for all for all pictures of execution to be posted as long as a group of people think it's important?
Well it already is, whether by posting or pictures in history books or television or any other media. It's irrelevant how. In non Christian countries other images and religious icons are very prelevent So much so that to even speak out against that religion can result in inprisonment or death.
This is a Christian country and there is no requirement to be Christian and its allowed to speak out against it. Probably no other country in the world is as tolerant as ours. However because it is a Christian country and was founded on Christian beliefs, an acknowledgment of Christ at Easter is to be expected. You don't have to believe, but you also don't have to be against people who do. A parish news letter with a clip art image of Christ on a cross will have meaning to a lot of people. If it doesn't it's not worth getting in a strop over. Just throw it in the bin. Sorted.

SmillasSenseOfSnow · 30/03/2015 14:48

Given your obvious and continued struggle to grasp the point of this thread and various posters' arguments, Springtulip, I would guess that there are many things in life that puzzle you.

SmillasSenseOfSnow · 30/03/2015 14:52

You can't seriously think that someone posting an image of an execution through someone's door is seen as 'fine'.

And repeatedly saying 'children see worse things in other countries/elsewhere' is still missing the point.

PS Can you please elaborate on the UK being 'founded on Christian beliefs'?

Springtulip · 30/03/2015 14:53

oh dear Smilas, practically every post I've made has been exactly about the point of the thread. Read back through them then you'll see. It is only you who are struggling with it all. Or have you just come on to argue.

Binkybix · 30/03/2015 15:00

I think the Santa is a myth sadly.

No you didn't answer the question. You fudged it. Would it be ok for another group to post a picture of an execution they considered historically important through your front door? If you think it is, then fair play to you (in a weird sort of way).

I've said many times that I don't care of people believe or not, so not sure why you're accusing me of being against people who do.

I've also said that I do see the cultural argument to a degree, but that it's good to question stuff that happens just because it's always happened.

Finally, when and if this stops being a Christian country by number of believers, will it stop being acceptable or not? If you still think it would be fine, then what's the logic in arguing that because it's a Christian country now that makes the double standard ok?

Springtulip · 30/03/2015 15:01

www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/history/uk_1.shtml
Smilas "Can you please elaborate on the UK being 'founded on Christian beliefs"?Are you serious? I'm sorry but there's not a shadow of doubt. I've just given you one article here. There are hundreds. I'm sorry but if you didn't know this or doubted it even, I can't take you serious.

Springtulip · 30/03/2015 15:09

No I haven't fudged it at all. As far as I am concerned if I didn't like it I'd throw it in a bin. Why are you sticking on that point. There are far far worse things in life than a leaflet through a door. But you are certainly hedging round the very good points that I've made. Putting leaflets through a door is less likely to upset a child than seeing something on the telly or going into a church it seems. There are loads of different forms of media. Would you take a child in a church? I keep raising this point.

Inkanta · 30/03/2015 15:10

Springtulip - I think it's good to question and re-evaluate how we Christians operate. And you may continue to believe that we need to look at images of Jesus on the cross, but I on the other hand are not so sure it's necessary. The church is evolving all the time and maybe this is one area for change.

SmillasSenseOfSnow · 30/03/2015 15:13

Springtulip, did you read your own link?

I asked you to elaborate on what you mean by the UK being 'founded on Christian beliefs'.

Binkybix · 30/03/2015 15:15

I honestly don't think you've made any good points.

Would I take a child into a church? Potentially, for my historical interest or a wedding. But as the point of this thread is not really about whether children would be scared by it or not it's an irrelevant question.

Thank you for answering my Q. I explained the reason I thought it was important and why I was stuck on it. It turns out that you are In fact ok with receiving all forms of pictures of execution, so you obviously don't operate the double standard. Fair enough.

Hakluyt · 30/03/2015 15:15

Springtulip-are you saying that anyone has a right to put anything they like through your letterbox? Obviously so long as it's within the law?

Springtulip · 30/03/2015 15:16

Smilas I'm sorry I find say I can't really take you serious because you are doubting that the UK wasn't founded on Christian beliefs. If isnt a matter for debate, it's fact.

limitedperiodonly · 30/03/2015 15:16

Would it be ok for another group to post a picture of an execution they considered historically important through your front door?

Of course, if it was the central image of one of the world's main religions or belief systems and had been one for 2,000 years and was a foundation of the country's traditions.

And was a clipart image which didn't involve any blood or guts.

I am not a practising Christian.

Binkybix · 30/03/2015 15:23

inkanta I think I love you a bit!

Anyway, I think I'm going to step away for a bit (again!) I've had more time than usual on my hands the last few days so I've been posting a lot but I really don't want to spend all of it arguing on things with people when we're clearly never going to agree. It's not healthy for me!

Best of luck spring (not meant snarkily).

Springtulip · 30/03/2015 15:23

Yes Hakluyt
You see I don't get worked up by things, I have a great method of dealing with things I'm not interested in or dont believe in.....the bin.
Even walking through town I get leaflets stuffed in my hand, some religious some not. I don't like to offend by not accepting, but I just throw them in the bin as soon as I'm out of sight. I don't get offended, I'm not like that, life's too short. Too many people get worked up by things.

Springtulip · 30/03/2015 15:35

I agree with that Binky, it's stressfull, no hard feelings. Smile

SmillasSenseOfSnow · 30/03/2015 15:39

You can choose to take me seriously or not, Springtulip, but are you going to elaborate on what you, personally, actually meant by the UK being 'founded on Christian beliefs'? Or are you going to keep claiming that you can't take me seriously, while repeatedly stating 'it is fact, I can't believe you don't know this' to cover over the fact that you have absolutely no idea what you meant?

Binkybix · 30/03/2015 15:39

No hard feelings Smile

Springtulip · 30/03/2015 15:57

smilas you aren't making sense , all I can do is quote you from articles like the one I posted above. I wasn't around at the time, how can I explain about it personally. It's how we get our information, from books etc. I wasnt around in Henry V111 time, I can't give you a personal account of those times but I can tell you about it from history books.
I had said that the UK was founded on Christian beliefs, do you want me to delve into history books to tell you how this came about? Do you not believe that Britain was founded on Christian beliefs?

itsbetterthanabox · 30/03/2015 15:58

Springtulip please read my post. You may be able to ignore horrific images. Not everyone, especially children, can.

Nightingalemumoftwo · 30/03/2015 15:59

YANBU

Springtulip · 30/03/2015 16:06

itsbetterthanabox
Try to remember that next time you take them in a church. Perhaps you might inform their teachers not to let them see any graphic images in history books. Keep the television switched off especially round tea time, images of starving children will be shown. There's going to be so much more. Good luck with all that, it's going to be a bit tricky.

BigDorrit · 30/03/2015 16:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nochocolateforlentteacake · 30/03/2015 16:17

I'd rather see a bit of Eastery clipart than images by groups protesting/leafleting in the street against vivisection, abortion, foreign government/regime corruption/torture... any day of the week.