Ummm, Parent of DS Friend told me I was using religious propaganda on their son...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. We have a faith. If I learned that my child had been shown anything that was non-religious on a playdate I would be upset. I don't like being proselytized about atheism, and I especially don't want my child being proselytized.
2. however, my reaction would be. "Since we have a faith, do you think in the future you could not show my child any non-religious content on palydats", rather than "That's it, you horrible person, no playdates ever again!".

There are lots of non-religious things. When your child's teacher teaches math, do you consider that proselytizing about atheism? (Although there are apparently people who do think this about string theory.) When your child is on a playdate, and they play Hungry Hungry Hippos, do you consider that proselytizing about atheism? Yet both math and Hungry Hungry Hippos are non-religious.

Proselytizing about atheism, in my opinion, would be a video whose purpose is to help children discover that There Is No God - And Religion Is A Lie!

Um, do you realize this poster was being facetious?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. We have a faith. If I learned that my child had been shown anything that was non-religious on a playdate I would be upset. I don't like being proselytized about atheism, and I especially don't want my child being proselytized.
2. however, my reaction would be. "Since we have a faith, do you think in the future you could not show my child any non-religious content on palydats", rather than "That's it, you horrible person, no playdates ever again!".

I think you mean "anti-religious" not non religious. Ie A cooking show is non religious, would that pose a problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. We have a faith. If I learned that my child had been shown anything that was non-religious on a playdate I would be upset. I don't like being proselytized about atheism, and I especially don't want my child being proselytized.
2. however, my reaction would be. "Since we have a faith, do you think in the future you could not show my child any non-religious content on palydats", rather than "That's it, you horrible person, no playdates ever again!".

There are lots of non-religious things. When your child's teacher teaches math, do you consider that proselytizing about atheism? (Although there are apparently people who do think this about string theory.) When your child is on a playdate, and they play Hungry Hungry Hippos, do you consider that proselytizing about atheism? Yet both math and Hungry Hungry Hippos are non-religious.

Proselytizing about atheism, in my opinion, would be a video whose purpose is to help children discover that There Is No God - And Religion Is A Lie!

Um, do you realize this poster was being facetious?

Only if she really meant non-religious. If she meant anti-religious that is a little different. But how could she mean anti-religious? What kid shows are anti-religious? Or am I just naive?

[Anonymous]

sorry to hear about this, OP. i'd be upset too. sometimes in the thick of confrontation, i know i don't articulate myself well. if you're the same and think maybe your basic response didn't get across, i might try one follow-up: oh, sorry, sure we can avoid veggietales in the future if you prefer; we're not even christian; so it didn't occur to me that it might be a problem, especially with respect to that nonreligious episode. if you think you were sufficiently clear and she was just that batshit anyway, agree with the PPs: DROP HER. it's too bad for the kids, but you seriously don't need that kind of crazy drama.

[Anonymous]

OP again.

Ugh, I should have known this would turn into a religion war. Why DCUM? It was one person, one person doesn't represent an entire faith or lack of. My husband is atheist, I consider him to be a good person. He can be a pain in the ass and get a little full of himself but, he is a good person. I have atheist friends who could care less about their children watching a non-religious episode of Veggie Tales. I have Christian, Muslim, Pagan, Orthodox Jewish friends who would not act like this woman. I wasn't making any statements about any religion or atheism. Nothing. I was simply stating my frustrations with this singular situation with this singular woman. No big anti-religion/anti-athiesm statements from me.

DH grew up Catholic, has been Atheist since college (as happens often). I was raised Orthodox, my family still practices. I consider myself a Jew by heritage and traditional. The children and I practice different aspects of Judaism for traditional purposes, but no...we don't normally attend any services. We also celebrate Christmas and Easter as per request of my Inlaws. So, my children are exposed to numerous religions and that's ok with me. If my child were to choose to practice any religion I would be fine, as long as they were happy. (Although I would not be thrilled if they followed an ultra conservative patriarchal religion...but I doubt that would happen.) Anyways, my point is I understand not all families are as open with different religions as mine. I can understand why a parent would be upset with me, but she didn't let me even defend myself. I wouldn't show anything religious to a child I did not know well, my son was simply singing one of the songs "I Love My Lips" and her son was curious about where it came from...nothing religious about that song or any other songs on the 15 minute DVD.

There is my peace.

[Anonymous]

OP, I am probably the resident Pagan around here. I love Veggie Tales. I hate Sponge Bob. I will probably be the worst helicopter parent on the planet. But, I cannot nitpick what they eat and watch with their friends. Really. That mom cannot control the world outside her house. I agree that if she doesnt like your apology, you should move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel sorry for her kid. Could you imagine having a mom like that?

+1 craaazzzzzyyyyy

[Anonymous]

I feel so bad for her son!

[Anonymous]

Oh my. OP, I have to concur with the people who said you dodged a bullet. This woman did you a favor - you can move on. I also think she didn't want to hear your apology - she had her view and just wanted to make her point. I wouldn't bother trying to contact her again - it's just not worth it.

And as an, ahem, "non-religious" person, I had no idea Veggie Tales had any religious connection, nor would having my child watch it bother me. I might be annoyed if my child were subjected to actual proselytizing, but in that case I would talk to the parent (in a non-hysterical way).

[Anonymous]

OP, this was a "blessing" in disguise You are better off without this crazy lady.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She sounds like a loon! I'm sorry you were hurt by her crazy overreaction. Personally I'd just move on and find other friends.

This! She sounds crazy. Even if veggie tales is mildly christian in some way (I think), who cares. It's not like satanism or witchcraft. I would not be offended if my DD (we are SDA and Catholic) watched some mildly jewish, muslim, or buddhist cartoon. ITS A FREAKING CARTOON! Anyone that opposed to any religion IMO is psycho and I would be glad that weirdo is out of your life. She is obviously a very hard core left wing loon so far you can't even reach her loon universe. You don't need people like that in your life. And even if she wasn't overtly crazy, what are this bitch's values? Where do they come from? I bet she has none, hence the poor treatment of you, a fellow human being with a little one. So forget her.

Hmmmm

Well, I'm not a fan of organized religion, but definitely don't oppose my children of exploring it. I think non-religious people can have moral and values, I do. I just found her to be a bit radical (in a bad way) about how she handles her child and religion. She was so hysterical she wouldn't let me get a word in, she came across as someone who thinks the entire world is against them. I can't deal with that mentality. It was completely innocent.

And this is why I'm terrified to let anyone religious know that I'm atheist or agnostic - I have strong values and morals. I'm very traditional, even conservative in some aspects. To be judged like that - exactly the opposite, what a nightmare.

That said, I'm not familiar with your veggie tales, but it does sound like a huge overreaction. I can only imagine such a reaction, if someone told a kid they will burn in hell, as things stand, or that his parents are bad people , with no morals , because they are nonbelievers, etc.
There are people that tell children stuff like that. There are people that try to involve authorities to get kids taken away to save them from there atheist parents. Read about such a case in Texas. Is it possible that this woman had a traumatic experience along one of those lines in the past??

[Anonymous]

This is the first time I've heard of Veggie Tales, for better or for worse.
And I'm also an atheist.

[Anonymous]

I would suggest you not try to force - even subtly - your religion on others, eslecially children

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm Jewish and my children have seen Veggie Tales. (my In-laws extended family is not Jewish and it was a gift from them). Anyway, the kids love the episode they got. DH and I are raising DC's Jewish. Honestly, the one episode we have has a part at the end where it talks about scripture. The kids have seen it and have never asked about it. It's honestly not a big deal (as you said about the one you have). Drop this person as fast as you can. She sounds like an all around nut (and I'm willing to bet she reacts this way about things other than religion). Really, it's not worth the headache for you and your family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would suggest you not try to force - even subtly - your religion on others, eslecially children

''

Dude, read much?

Christianity is not OP's religion. Not by a long shot.

She's and agnostic. Husband is an atheist.

Silly Songs by Larry is just that, a bunch of silly songs.

With such catchy lyrics as "Oooooh Where, Is My Hairbrush...What do you mean I have no hair!?!?!" (As sung by a cucumber)

AND the ever prothletising "We are the pirates, that don't do anything. We just stay here and lie around. And if you ask us, to do anything. We are the pirates, that don't do anything"

Be very, very afraid! The agnostic cultural Jew might try to convert your child to Christianity with the wise words of "I love my lips...It's a lip, it's a lip, it's a lip lip lip! It's a lip, it's a
Lip, it's a lip lip lip! It's a lip, it's a lip, it's a lip lip lip. Liiiiiiiiiiiips. Lip lip lip"

Oh the horrors