To be annoyed that ds (2.9) was handed a crucifix by a complete stranger today?

[beansprout]

We were playing in the park. Dh called so I was just having a quick word with him. Ds was next to me and a beatific looking couple came up and handed him something. I didn't quite register this until they were walking away. Ds said, "what's this mummy?" and I realised it was a crucifix attached to some beads.

WTF?!!!

You could have placed the cross in the bin when your DS was not looking. IMO it is hugely disrespectful to other faiths, not the couple in question but to other faiths to do something like that.

I guess if you are very religious you do tend to think others should believe the same thing as you. Or, to put it charitably, should have the opportunity to hear the Good News.

Not sure they'd appreciate atheists going up to their children and handing them pictures of, dunno, Richard Dawkins, though.

MrsB - you are way, way too nice!! You are clearly in the nesting, tolerant end-of-third-trimester phase and I am clearly in the barely-out-of-the-first-hormones-raging one!!

Hang on, leaving it on the floor is not ok but binning it is fine?? I really am not up to speed on crucifix etiquette!!

What would a comparable symbol for athetists be, actually? If some of them wanted to fight back? A double helix? That series of pictures showing the progression between apes and humans?

TBH, it's not the what was handed over, it's the fact that they handed anything over without asking you first, which I find flabbergasting. I know he's only little but my children are taught not to accept things from strangers...adults surely must be aware of these things?

What would agnostics show then? .

Maybe I should get some postcards printed with a picture of the Big Bang and a slogan such as 'THIS is how it all started and don't believe anyone who tells you different'.

Obviously the picture would be someone's interpretation of the Big Bang, before all the religious types start picking holes in the idea.

Not that agnostics would really recruit anyone would they?

'I'm recruiting for a cause I'm not sure I believe in myself'

A question mark? A fence, for sitting on?

Good point!

If they return to the park and see it on the ground they are going to be hurt. I am a practising catholic and would have been incandescent with rage had someone done that to my DS. However having said that I would have due regard for the fact that they were elderly and disposed of it discreetly, rather juvenile IMO to leave on the ground.

Rather smacks of shan't, can't make me.

They were not elderly, that's just an assumption you have made.

Well, to me, it's a bit of plastic that we have no use for. If it's special to them, they should look after it. Sorry, but I am feeling petulant.

Think of it as recycling

When I taught in a Catholic school we ordered some new bibles. When they arrived the head was in such a dilema as to what to do with the old bibles as she felt to put them in the bin whilst the ch were in the school was disrespectful so she waited till all the children went homeand the support staff etc etc and 'grundon-ed' them. I'm sure she said a quick 'Hail Mary' whilst doing so.

grundon-ed?

Grundon

Sorry, thought that would have been understood thanks for the piccie Mrs Badger

As we walk down the street in our town we have protestant preachers telling us how the Catholics are all going to hell in a hand cart {Or something to the effect}

I am Catholic..... but I still smile & nod at them.. take the leaflets they give me.... and next time I clean out my handbag I throw them away...

That way I don't annoy them by not taking their leaflets & I can easily get rid of them in my own home without offending anyone.

I fail to see how a crucifix could make anyone this angry... personally I would be more annoyed if someone handed my child a picture of a porn star positioned in a centre spread....

I cant believe you left it on the ground like a piece of rubbish!

I dont necessarily agree with handing them out to children with no discussion etc, but I find it very disrespectful to leave something of a holy nature - regardless of religion - on the ground.

it is a piece of rubbish though

YANBU - I'd be furious. He could have stuffed it in his mouth or something, even disregarding the thrusting religion on him thing. I think you were being very restrained just leaving it there; I'd have wanted to chase after them singing The Sex Pistols - how DARE they? I'm sorry can't appreicate the sentiment at all; if they'd have asked you first, then okay but to just give it to a toddler is totally out of order imho.

rubbish:Waste or rejected matter; anything worthless; valueless stuff; trash; especially, fragments of building materials or fallen buildings; ruins; d['e]bris.

Message withdrawn

lol fmv.

I'd be taken aback but wouldn't have left it on the ground. I'm not religious but that would have felt quite an insulting thing to do, somehow.