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Dadsnet

Speak to new fathers on our Dads forum.

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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:

RedHotPokers · 15/10/2011 20:22

I don't think so, but then DD learnt all about the crucifiction last Easter at her non-faith school. She was 4. The school gave her the highlights, but them some of the older children went into graphic detail about the nails, and blood etc. DD was a bit freaked out tbh.

cometherevolution · 15/10/2011 20:24

My four year old would find this quite disturbing and there's no way I would show it to someone else's child, with or without parental permission

seeker · 15/10/2011 20:26

No. Outrageous. And it is bizarre that it'smonly in the contextnof religion that it seems tombenok to show children images of torture. Imagine the uproar on here if someone's ex partner showed a 4 year old picture like this onno computer ame or something.

Tcanny · 15/10/2011 22:11

BleachedWhale, I laughed hard at your post. That could so easily have been a conversation with either of my DD,s.

Have had so many rather grim ones from them (although on different subjects).

The childrens bibles my girls had at 4 were a little less graphic than that though, If it were me giving it I would check with the childs parent before hand.

Greenwing · 15/10/2011 22:54

No
Speaking as an RE teacher and brought up as a Catholic. At age 4 the pictures should be less graphic. These images are ones I would only use over the age of 11 ie secondary age.

catsareevil · 15/10/2011 23:01

Those pictures are horrible, I would not show them to a 4 year old (my own or anyone elses!)

LunarRose · 15/10/2011 23:06

No definitely completely inappropriate without permission let alone with.

LunarRose · 15/10/2011 23:08

Sorry other way round I meant to say:

No definitely completely inappropriate with permission, completely abhorrant let alone without.

Dalrymps · 15/10/2011 23:12

I would say no for my 4 yo. I hunk he would find them a bit confusing/ upsetting.

cakeistheanswer · 15/10/2011 23:32

No, definitely not.

I could accept them being shown to my 2 older DCs, in a secondary school RE lesson (presumably with all the other fairy stories being treated equally.)

However, I know for certain that DD (aged 9) would be really upset by such images of horrific torture, and she wouldn't be able to get to sleep for ages, then would have nightmares.

Horrible.

stigofthedump · 15/10/2011 23:42

No, not acceptable. Though it might open up the possibility to my newly converted 5 year old (thanks school) that being a christian isn't all wonderful heaven of fluffy white clouds and harvest festival cheer.

seeker · 16/10/2011 12:03

Has the op come back?

Original poster

Coweeps · 18/10/2011 15:05

Everyone - thanks so much for your opinions.

To expand upon the context - these images were in a Bible given as a gift (without consulting us) to our 4 year-old son at his new school last week.

My wife and I are not religious so we personally found it a little creepy that the school (a voluntary controlled C of E school) are trying to get hooks into kids by making colourful gifts of religious texts.

However, it's a C of E school, so an amount of that is to be expected. What we really object to is that these images, in our opinion, are simply unsuitable for 4 year old kids. We're intending to complain to the head.

Interesting to see the range of views here, though. Thanks again.

OP posts:

witchyhills · 18/10/2011 15:10

no, not acceptable
without explanation those pictures would give children nightmares

jgbmum · 19/10/2011 13:30

Coweeps is it the pictures you object to? Or giving each child a Bible? In your last post, it sounds as though you are unhappy that the school are giving the children Bibles at all.

Personally I am quite sad that you find them so objectionable and I think you are right to discuss it further with the Head. Perhaps he/she can reassure you.

Pan · 20/10/2011 01:44

coweeps I think you have an alterantive agenda i.e. an anti-religous one, and so anything you can grasp hold of you would do so - these images or something else. If you are sooo offended on behalf of your child then send them to a different school. Or, just take issue with the school. You appear to have made up your mind to anyway, so why bother with a 'survey'?

Pan · 20/10/2011 01:58

yes, the Matt Cohen thing. You really should expand OP. Otherwise people may think you are being disingenuous.....

and why in Dadsnet??

Pan · 20/10/2011 02:03

and can't help noticing it's your only posts on MN.

FearfulYank · 20/10/2011 02:33

I am religious and have a 4 year old, and honestly I'm not sure. He knows that Jesus was killed but he's not sure of the exact details.

FearfulYank · 20/10/2011 02:33

Pan he said he joined just for this purpose. :)

spiderslegs · 20/10/2011 02:43

Nightmares?

I had many nightmares as a child, not one of them related to any religious imagery I may have been 'exposed' to.

I went to convent schools all my education, the crucified Jesus was a common figure in our lives, the only time it was disturbing was when Claire Rowland chucked a boiled egg & it landed, rather unfortunately on his crown of thorns, we all suffered quite horribly at the hands of Sister Concepta as a result of that.

Otherwise, it is quite an inspiring portrait of a man's strength, children are rather resilient you know, they rather revel in stories of gore & redemption, religious or not.

Why not send him to the nearest non-denominational school if you don't like it?

Or do you like the other benefits of the school? If so, Jesus would probably have liked a chat with you.

Pan · 20/10/2011 08:47

he did say that FY - still, I enjoyed my early morning rant-of-suspicion, facts of the case excluded.

Blu · 20/10/2011 11:12

Pan I think your investigative experience is required Here

rockboobs · 20/10/2011 11:17

yes.

Even if you're not religious (and i'm not) its art and similar to the stuff that a 4 year old would see around a city art gallery. It sparks questions and stretches the mind.

LiamsMummyJaz · 23/01/2012 11:09

I was shown images like that at school and there is nothing wrong with me...

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