My ex has met someone religious and is putting weird messages on their bedroom wall

[Mumsr0ck]

My ex was never religious and often mocked Jehovas Witnesses. Now they've moved on and met someone religious which is fine but they are both putting up God fearing religious quotes in the children's bedrooms. One quote expressly states the word "Fearfully" in large bold letters on my youngest sons bedroom wall as part of a quote. He is often sent to his room for punishment. The full quote with is "I am FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made" He is 8 years old and will obviously not read into the context of adult biblical phrases but will interpret them literally based on the words he can read. Am I right to be concerned? I am very worried

Maybe you could ask your ex to explain what the quote actually means ? The word "fearfully" isn't going to do him any damage in itself. In context it means respectfully, reverently.

I'd only be concerned if his new partner wanted to get the kids involved in the religion. If she isn't, I wouldn't be overly concerned. In your position I'd be calling the ex and asking just how the religion is going to affect the children. But don't over react to a poster on the wall.

• ask your ex to explain to your son what the quote actually means .

I think the quote itself is a red herring.

I'm an atheist and generally fairly anti-religion, but I grew up Christian and still like that quote. I wouldn't describe it as a "god fearing quote". As Shipping said, it's "fearfully" meaning carefully/reverently. I quite like the idea of being wonderfully made, even if I no longer believe it.

However, I wouldn't be happy with an ex deciding to convert the kids to a new religion without any discussion. Do you know if they're involving your DC in religion in other ways, e.g. family prayers, going to church? You can't necessarily prevent your ex from involving DC in his new faith, but it would be good to have a joint approach to questions like why dad believes in God and mum doesn't

If I saw that I'd be terrified. Not of the quote but the wider context. Why is he being sent to his room for punishments? That is not generally seen as good parenting nowadays. I'd be livid and frightened if I thought religion of that nature was being shoved down my childrens throats. Idk what you can do about it but having a chat with your ex about your concerns seems a start

I would not tolerate this bullshit at all. What a horrible message to make to a child. It sounds like your ex has become unhinged.

We have family in America and that quote is quite popular there for nursery (baby bedroom) decoration. Along with the ‘though I am small I am mighty’ etc.

It’s not meant to be ‘fearfully’ as in ‘afraid of’ it just means ‘awesome’ or ‘incredibly’ made eg by god. I’m not religious but don’t see it as a frightening or horrible quote. It’s not quite in the terrifying cupboard from Carrie area. So I don’t think the quote is a huge issue.

However if there are other issues like him being ‘often’ sent to his room as punishment I’d be more worried. But I wouldn’t hinge it all on one quote. I mean it also says ‘wonderfully’ as you’ve said.

I’d also be worried about how long this partner had been on the scene to encourage a total conversion in religion. All that would concern me before a random quote with the word fearfully in it.

My biggest worry would be that they will try to indoctrinate your son.