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Original poster

Are these images suitable for 4yo?

54 replies

Coweeps · 13/10/2011 22:06

Hello all!
This is my first post on mumsnet. I've joined with the specific aim of asking one particular question and gauging people's opinions.
I'd really appreciate as many answers as possible.

Below is a link to four images taken from an illustrated edition of the Bible, depicting Christ on the cross. If you're willing, please have a look and answer this question:

In your opinion, are these images suitable to show to someone else's 4 year-old child, without seeking the parents' specific permission?

bit.ly/oP6EvX

Now I know religion is the thorniest of issues, but I'm not trying to spark a big theological debate here, I'm just after a simple yes/no answer to the above question.
Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Mollydoggerson · 13/10/2011 22:07

Yes

groak · 13/10/2011 22:11

Yes. My dc go to church (Catholic) and they see images such as this and the stations of the cross and they have awareness of them as I give simplified (due to their age) explanations which they understand.

However, some people may not like them if they are not religious, which is understandable. Each to their own. But my children are brought up in the envionment which the images relate, therefore they comprehend why they see these and similar images.

jgbmum · 13/10/2011 22:23

These images are in the same Bible stories book that all children at DCs primary school are given. In fairness, I am not sure that they would look at those particular images when they are 4, and the book contains many beautiful images as well.
I think that generally Primary schools are very sensitive to the needs of their children and use the Bible stories appropriately. Certainly in my case, having had 3 children go through Catholic primary schools, none have ever been disturbed by any images used at school.

Eglu · 13/10/2011 22:27

They are fine.

ChippingIn · 13/10/2011 22:32

Why do you ask?

In what context are they being shown?

confidence · 15/10/2011 15:05

The images are pretty vile, and it confuses me when people think it's OK to show 4 year olds pictures of people being tortured to death, but letting them see people having sex will scar them for life.

I'd be more worried about the context in which they're shown though - ie the process of indoctrinating little ones into superstition before they're old enough to have developed critical thinking.

MaeMobley · 15/10/2011 15:09

Why are you asking? I think the pictures are grim.

I am intrigued why somebody with a surname like Cohen is asking about New Testament pictures.

Thzumbazombiewitch · 15/10/2011 15:09

Oddly, I found the 4th one the most disturbing of them all (the close up of Christ's face) and might consider giving that one a miss - but the rest, fine.

confidence: it is no part of anyone's "superstition" to use these in a correct historical context - crucifixion was a recognised form of execution used by the Romans; Jesus of Nazareth was a real person who died that way - there is no issue.

LeBOOOf · 15/10/2011 15:15

I agree that it's not exactly Rosie and Jim, but surely plenty of four year olds see this stuff all the time and emerge relatively unscathed? Much of western art is based on religious themes, and the crucifixion is part of that. And children have quite an appetite for gore, judging by popular storybooks. Ever read Grimms fairytales?

Thzumbazombiewitch · 15/10/2011 15:16

Yeah, or Hans Christian Andersen - he was fairly unpleasant as well! Red shoes, anyone?

TapTapTapPenny · 15/10/2011 15:20

Nope, not ok.

UNLESS the family in question is Christian and the child is very familiar with those sorts of pictures/has gory religious art festooned about home/has said 'please show our child artworks depicting a man being murdered'.

So no, not OK.

Was the four year old upset? Sad

Tyr · 15/10/2011 15:30

I think they are vile and inappropriate but because they are part of the teachings of an official superstition, they are not questioned. In a different context, ie a film, they would be deemed unsuitable.
That being said, disturbing images are the least of the evils inflicted on children by the catholic church, its schools and followers.

BleachedWhale · 15/10/2011 15:30

I would not deliberately or knowingly introduce someone else's 4 yo to crucifixion pictures.

I find it bizarre that hideously grusome pictures of a man being tirtured to death form routine background iconography in children's schools, and hate it in churches.

But 4 is ab out the age that children do start to become aware, in mainstream UK culture, anyway, of the crucifixion, and generally become enthusiastically fascinated by the whole thing.

DS at 4:

Mummy?
yes?
When the crucified jesus they put nails thorugh his hands, didn't they?
yes
And his feet?
Yes
Did it take a long time for him to die
ER, probably..
Well why didnt they put a nail thorugh his head, that would have been much quicker?
I don't think this is a very nice thing to think about just before you go to sleep...
No, but it is INTERESTING!

and then when making an easter Bonnet (aka 'Spring Hat' for school) he thought he would put a crucifix on the front
"but not with jesus dead, he will be almost dead, going 'uuurgh, aaargh, uurgh.."

And Western society seems to go on.

ChasingSquirrels · 15/10/2011 15:33

No, entirely inappropriate.
If similar images were in a film it would be unlikely to be a U or PG rating.
The fact that these fictional images are associated with a religion doesn't make them any more acceptable.

Rational · 15/10/2011 15:38

Anyone showed my 4yr old daughter pictures like this and there wouldn't be anymore 'play dates' at that house!

Certain people who think images like this are ok would also be outraged at a 4 year old playing Call of Duty on the PlayStation. I'm not sure how certain scenes of pain, blood and gore are any more acceptable than others. I'd be horrified at my four year old knowing about an ancient form of execution, it's only seen as acceptable because of the religion slant.

Young children should not be introduced to religion at all. Older children should be taught it along with other world myths.

Portland573 · 15/10/2011 19:59

@BleachedWhale That's just awesome.

buddamuma · 15/10/2011 20:00

Er well.. yes. But why would you?

Sossiges · 15/10/2011 20:02

No

SouthernandCross · 15/10/2011 20:05

NO, I wouldn't want my almost 10 year old seeing them either without me being there to explain either. But we are not religious.

discrete · 15/10/2011 20:07

I don't think any religious anything is OK to show to a 4yo without seeking the parents' specific permission.

'tis poison for the mind.

MeMySonAndI · 15/10/2011 20:08

This kind of images were originally created to try to explain to the population what extreme sacrifice God's son had gone through in order to save them.
We see them everywhere, they have lost their impact and shocking value.

However I remember traveling in a mostly buddhist country and a child asked what was my religion, I said Christian, and he said "is that the one where they put a dead man hanging from a cross in the temples?" He obviously thought we were mental and gross. I understood that day that he was right.

Having said that, I'm happy with a cross as a symbol/reminder of what he went through but find crucifixes and other religious torture images a bit morbid.

piratecaaaaaaaaaghhht · 15/10/2011 20:11

no they are not, no matter what context. they would have scared my 4 yr old, just the blood alone. Just because they are religious pics, doesn't make them any less horrible than showing a kiddy an illustration of any other person being tortured.

horMOANSnomore · 15/10/2011 20:16

No. They're hideous and not suitable for children.

Why would you show these pictures to someone else's child?

DuelingFanjo · 15/10/2011 20:18

No. I have no idea why anyone would show these kinds of pictures to a 4 year old. Confused

MangoMonster · 15/10/2011 20:21

I'm not a dad, I'm a mum, but saw this on active convos. I don't think they are appropriate personally but I went to a catholic primary and churches are full of this stuff. I don't remember really thinking much of it as a child, didn't seem real iyswim.