To say something about religious nativity play?

[JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff]

The DC go to a private day nursery. It doesn't have a religious affiliation. It was their Christmas play today. They did a loose version of the nativity and then at the end, there was a bit of recitation - "and that baby Jesus grew up to do amazing miracles. He died to save all the people in the world. Christians believe he came back from the dead and everyone who finds Jesus will be happy."

Dd who is under 4 is now asking "what does it mean, Jesus died?" And "should we go and look for Jesus?"

Aibu to mention to nursery management that this has resulted in some awkward conversations and maybe next year, they could choose something non-religious, bearing in mind lots of the families that use the nursery aren't believing Christians?

Yes, one of the reasons that Christian bullshit superstition annoys people more than many of the other bullshit superstitions is that too many Christians just can't leave off pestering other people to accept that their imaginary friend and fairy stories are the REAL THING when, to rational people, there is no real difference between Christian mythology, Muslim/Sikh/Hindu/Jewish mythology, ancient Greek/Roman mythology, the Tooth Fairy or horoscopes. Yes, it's not a bad thing to be aware of all the different superstitions because they are part of understanding politics and history. They are also at least mildly interesting stories in their own right - though I have generally taught DS that they are agricultural allegories as well as folk tales.

Not rtft but come on now!! Its a fucking nativity play about Christmas- what exactly did you expect it to be about?? They could have done a play about humpty dumpty but then it wouldnt have been a bloody Christmas play ffs.

PS: i think its very cute your DS wanting to go and look for Jesus. I have visions of an expedition a la "going on a bear hunt"

one of the reasons that Christian bullshit "superstition annoys people more than many of the other bullshit superstitions is that too many Christians just can't leave off pestering other people to accept that their imaginary friend"

I don't believe in God. I think that meditation and some of the Buddhist way of thinking is very good for our Mental Health and that's been proven, scientifically (just to explain my stance).

Yes, Christians once waged war on all other religions, with a view to conquering the World, but now they are the ones being murdered etc, Globally.

We e just had the Asia Bibi case, which has highlighted the issue in Pakistan and shown what a backward Country they really are (if the rape issue didn't).

We've got the same no tolerance attitude from Branches of the Muslim religion across Africa, Turkey etc.

We've just had the Islamic terrorist attack in Strasbourg Market (two dead, another brain dead and many seriously injured).

So let's not pretend that Christianity is the most worrying, pestering, a danger to Women/Children/world peace etc, religion about.

Birds, they are all bullshit and all attract violent, dangerous wingnuts. But OP's describing a lower level of tiresome behaviour which seems to be pretty much exclusive to Christians - the insistence that everyone 'respects' their particular fairytales and is being unreasonable to be a bit annoyed at having such nonsense peddled to their DC.

It's funny how many posters can't tell the difference between telling about Christianity (which a normal nativity play does) and getting a quick plug in for it (miracles etc, notice that bit came before "Christians believe", but even with a conscientious "Christians believe" preaching is annoying).

I admit I haven't RTFT but Hasn't any relative or friend or even pet died during your DD's life? Have they never heard of the concept of someone dying before? I would find that strange if they never heard of it. I'm sure the organisers of the play assumed your DD would know about it by now, even if only in a way they can understand. There are ways of explaining to a child so they understand, maybe this would be a great time for her to learn.

"Birds, they are all bullshit and all attract violent, dangerous wingnuts"

Not all people who are believers are violent and dangerous, and not all violent and dangerous wingnuts believe in any kind of God or follow a religion.

These wingnuts use religion as an excuse and give it a bad name. Please don't tar all people who have a faith with the same brush

For the record I'm not religious, nor am I scared of or hate organised religion. I'm more of a live and let live, and whatever rocks your boat kind of person as long as you don't try and convert me or commit any form of violence

The fact that all religions attract wingnuts is not the same as saying that all those who have an imaginary friend are dangerous wingnuts.
FWIW people invent an imaginary friend in pretty much their own image. So the nice people focus on the parts of the mythology that are about helping others, being a kind and fair person, etc, and their imaginary friend is like a wise and loving parent. The wingnuts are more interested in the stuff about killing unbelievers and controlling women and sexual minorities; their imaginary friend is a petulant tyrant.

Don't forget, the core purposes of religion have always been social control. Firstly, to benefit men at the expense of women by means of spreading a lot of magic woo about how women are not in control of reproduction, it's up to men to decide, and secondly to keep the general public in their place for the benefit of those in authority.

Q

Not all religions attract violent and dangerous wingnuts. I've never met a violent and dangerous druid or wiccan.

I'm enjoying the wingnut discussion after encountering the mad stare of the local vicar this morning.

I use the religious aspects of school as a way to encourage critical thinking in my children. It's like a battle for their souls sometimes. It's a very christian school since wingnut vicar got his claws into it.

We have nearly 50% Muslims at my DC's school, their parents would probably gently tell a wingnut vicar to fuck off.

I did nearly once tell the wingnut vicar to fuck off, but just in time I toned it down into sticking two fingers up behind his back.
This was after a discussion of whether it was appropriate to tell 5 year olds about the angel of death killing babies, then MAKING THEM DRAW IT. I am not making this up, and the Daily Mail etc can fuck off too.

That's horrific. What about the 5yos who have baby siblings? I'd never have slept again.

I only found out about it because of my son's nightmares.

ReanimatedSGB, my Nigerian Christian friend who fears for her Christian Family, daily would disagree.

They have to use 'traditional African names' , instead of their real names, so they aren't targeted.

"a lower level of tiresome behaviour which seems to be pretty much exclusive to Christians"

As opposed to killing/torturing people and taking Women and Children as sex slaves, because they don't believe a certain religion?

Yes, Christians are low level, thankfully.

Oh get over yourself

If your child is asking questions then it's time to answer them. A very brief and simplified overview of religion will suffice at this age and an explanation that there are different religions who believe different things. And that there are people who simply don't believe in religion at all and that that's what your feelings are. Your child might grow up to be religious and that's her choice. Many people take a great deal of comfort from their faith. Many people take comfort from not having faith. But as a youngster, a basic knowledge of the difference between religions is probably enough. She will then have a better grounding to understand more nuanced religious discussions as she gets older.

I was just discussing this with a friend. I'm Christian, she isn't. We both were raised by non-religious parents, went to CofE schools (different ones, different places, different times). We both didn't feel religion was 'pushed' on us despite commentaries much like the one at the end of this nativity play. I didn't find Christianity till later in life, she remains agnostic. At my kids' nursery, they did a nativity and no-one batted an eyelid, so I'm struggling to see the problem, if I'm honest. But I do think it's sad that Christianity still seems to summon such vitriol when at the end of the day, it's all about love. Love is at the heart of the Christmas story and the Easter story. Yes, some people have misused religion but Jesus was all about loving and accepting everyone, no matter what. Rejection of anybody at all has no place in Christianity.

I think Nativity plays should be religious - it's the whole point. I am not religious at all but it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling when I watch a proper nativity play

Want to name a religion that isn't about social control? About knowing your place, about obeying and respecting those who Great Pumpkin has chosen as special, etc?

I'm not a Christian but I love the nativity.

Druidism? Wicca? Heathenism?