New friend is setting off alarm bells!

[HappyI]

Hi, ive know my new friend for sbout 6 months through our children and we've grown quite close. She is a Christian and I'm.not, but we both respect each other's views. Last week, she and her daughter came over for lunch and my girl was watching my little pony. Her daughter wanted to sit and watch it to however, she said she doesn't allow MLP because it has magic in it which is against her Christian views (mermaids too seemingly). I switched it to something she was comfortable with despite her saying because it's my house its ok to watch.
I've continued to think about this and believe its a very extreme view and I just dont get it as she allows her girl to watch frozen. My own daughter asked me why magic and MLP is bad and I'm.not happy that this friends, in my opinion, crazy views are seeping into my daughter's conscience.

Other stuff is coming to light too such as having ridiculously unrealistic goals and I'm wondering if she's a fantasist and if I should step back from our friendship. TIA x

I'm not sure you do both respect each other.

I think it's a good opportunity to teach your DD about respecting others opinions and beliefs, not excluding your friend because you don't agree with her beliefs.

i would just use it as an opportunity ti teach my daughter about respecting other peoples views evwn if we think they are silly. No need to stop being friends.

it is a bit random though-I say that as a catholic with lots of christian friends.

I feel believing that my little pony is in some way going to warp a 4 year olds mind and encourage her to fall away from her Christian values is somewhat extreme. I agree, I can't respect extreme religious views whether Christian, Muslim or otherwise as I feel it alienates themselves and others and where does it end.

She lets her watch Frozen but not MLP?!

I wouldn’t necessarily stop being friends with her but I’d be politely challenging her regarding Frozen. Elsa has magical powers as do the Trolls.

It’s harmless though isn’t it?

People are missing the point here, Elsa clearly does Ice Magic.

What we need to be considering if Ice Magic is more godly than talking ponies.

OP my family are religious and it's a bit of an odd one about MLP, I've not heard that before.

Surprised at these responses, I'd also find this very extreme and not any form of main stream Christianity. So I'd a,so be concerned. I mean seriously, that's just odd. It's one thing to not believe in magic, but to prevent a four year old watching a tv program like this is extreme. What's she going to do, blindfold and home school?

That's my main problem. Elsa uses her magical powers to turn things ice. The girl dresses as her all the time! I'm all for standing by your convictions but it's the inconsistency I don't get. Santa too is magic. Everything is, fairies, sleeping beauty etc. I'm Just not comfortable and I am disappointed as I really like her. I get why she doesn't celebrate Halloween, makes sense but mermaids?

I'm far more worried about other ideas and images targeted at children than magic ponies and princesses.

I had religious neighbours before who wouldn't allow their kids (almost teenagers) to watch The Simpsons because it was 'evil'.

There's lots of strange chat from her but I like quirky people but my little pony uses the magic of friendship. It's just strange

If someone’s views are demonstrably wildly silly and self-contradictory — ice magic, Idina Mendel belting it out and trolls are godly! Talking pastel ponies are evil and ungodly! — then I wouldn’t try to do the complex mental gymnastics involved in ‘respecting’ her views or explaining them to my children.

that's just odd.

Just because you don't understand a belief, doesn't mean you're right to negatively attribute it.

Very small minded to judge another's religious belief - whether you agree or not, be respectful.

My step family are Christian and they don't agree with 'magic' in mainstream media as they believe it promotes the occult. Harry Potter etc is seen as a negative influence because it promotes a positive idea of magic.

Not my view, and my lovely family would never impose their views on anyone else (they know I'm a crazy Harry Potter fan and have bought memorabilia for me as thoughtful presents).

I get itchy teeth when others brand views as 'odd' or weird, just because they're not yours.

Live and let live.

who instigated the friendship, your DD’s or the mums? I had a best friend all through primary school. We were never allowed to play together outside of school as her family were JW’s. In school, we adored each other and did everything together. Years later my mum informed me she had heard JW mum enquiring about my family and I, trying to find out if we were suitable to play together. She was sent to an all girls secondary school and I never saw her again. I was devastated and often think of her now. If your daughters are the chums, then maybe arrange play dates that doesn’t involve the mum as much. Don’t get in the way of a potentially good friendship.

Doesn't help im watching storyville on iPlayer about David Koresh and Waco just now! I would recommend btw!

That last post was probably a little bit harsh on reflection. Sorry about that.

Don’t be silly, All. Some views are not worth respecting, and should be judged, very firmly, as entirely nonsensical.

The girls aren't too fussed about each other. It's the mum who is instigating it and i invite her too to things although its usually with another mum and dd in tow. She's suggesting family holidays and weekends away etc in the future but I feel it's a bit full on?

She sounds like she doesn't have her 'story' straight in her head - her kid can't watch MLP but can watch Frozen?

I'd be keeping a distance personally, she sounds a bit much

Streetwise Hercules, another Christian friend from the same church hits her child to the point he has serious behavioural problems. She seemingly believes children are born with sin and the parents should 'help them get rid of it.

I’m an Atheist but sincerely hope this isn’t how people view the majority of Christians. My family are a mixture of Jewish, Catholic and CofE and none of them would do anything as extreme as this.

They’re usually just regular people tbh.