Easter Church visit

[Twelve8Ts]

Hi, I have a 2 and 3 year old in pre school and today was a church visit for Easter. I happened to join the visit and was shocked at what the vicar taught them. Very graphic stories about how Jesus was ‘hung for days and left to die’, she made the children chant ‘kill him! Kill him!’, asked them to think about something that made them really sad so they could imagine how he felt. I was horrified! Is this normal or am I over reacting?

I’d have been horrified and probably would have taken my children out. Although having said that I may have been too stunned to move!

Sounds insane.

I don't go to church so I don't know, but I wouldn't have thought so!

I don't think nursery trips to church for 2-3 Yr olds is normal actually.

How are the children? Often we’re much more sensitive to things than very small children are. They see stuff in a different way. And more often than not love a graphic gory story. Adults tend to sanitise them too much for their own sensitivity about what they think children may be upset by or not.

It’s outrageous isn’t it?! Well I’m pleased you haven’t both told me that this is normal for children of their age!
The other parents won’t have any idea so I’m going to let them know tomorrow and also complain. Good thing my kids are terrible listeners!

When 2 of my kids were still at primary school a local vicar went in to talk to the kids about worshipping the devil at Halloween and made them all promise not to trick or treat. I don’t know what denomination he was from but it wasn’t the local C of E church as she is a female. Completely uncalled for.

@RafaistheKingofClay Well one little boy was really upset and crying. The other kids just seemed bewildered. I’m hoping they didn’t really have a clue what she was talking about!

@Nicebloomers Oh god that’s awful. Where on earth do they find these people! At least you’re aware, some parents might have no idea about some things that get spoken about.

I work for a church and we don't do that in our adult services!

@RightOnTheEdge Well I think it’s only because the church is right across the road, and we’re not even religious, I only sent them because I had a baby last week and thought it would be good to get out the house! Should have stayed indoors!

I agree with you. I'm a primary teacher and often feel shocked at Easter services. Many religious stories are pretty horrible to tell children. Delighted to not be religious!

@mitogoshi Good to know, I will definitely be raising it with them.

Batshit (and for the avoidance of doubt, not what you'd get at any normal church if you choose to visit for Easter!)

@LizHoney Well that’s why I was so disappointed, because my 3 year old has wanted to go inside the church for so long and I feel like it’s ruined it for her ☹️

I wouldn’t have been happy about that either @Twelve8Ts 🙈

I took DS to a toddlers group in our local church one day not realising that it was a religious group. The woman running it and the minister gathered the children round and stood up telling them a story about a boat crossing choppy seas.
She stood telling a bunch of 2-3 year olds to imagine how scared they would be to be stuck on a boat knowing they’d never ever see their mummy or daddy again and making them shout “we’re all going to die” 😩😬
Needless to say we left and I haven’t returned to that group with him 🙈

@Inyourwildestdreams Oh my god! Bloody hell these poor kids! That is just not normal.

I am a regular church goer and attended church run toddler groups with my own children and have never heard of anything like this.

I also worked in Early Years and we would always look at materials that were going to be used with visitors and chat through what was planned and would certainly have vetoed this.

Please do raise it with the nursery I would expect an apology really for not checking what the vicar intended to say and that it was age appropriate.

@Evenstar Thank you. Like I said it’s reassuring to know that this isn’t normal as I’d hate to think this is what 2 and 3 year olds are hearing.

@Twelve8Ts Yeah it was far from ideal! DS was only 2.5 and still mentions it from time to time actually!!

That is a bit wild. It is usually cafe church with Easter eggs, crafts and some booklet given to the parent

That's not a good thing!! Children of that age have a very blurred idea of the difference between fantasy and reality. You don't WANT them to to be ok with chanting 'Kill Him!' - being unbothered or excited about doing so is worse than being upset in my book.