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5YO Wants A Shrek-Themed Party, His Cousins Can’t Come Due To Parents’ Religious Views
Shrek is the beloved cartoon ogre who has become as iconic as Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny. But as today’s story shows, he could also cause strain among religious families.
Reddit user Acceptable_Pick_4664 wanted to throw her five-year-old son a Shrek-themed birthday party. However, the chosen motif offended her brother, a devout Christian.
The original poster (OP) was left in a tough spot between her child and sibling and asked the TwoHotTakes subreddit for advice.
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Shrek has become a renowned cartoon character used as a theme for many children’s parties
Image credits: Vlada Karpovich (not the actual image)
But in today’s story, the famous ogre became the source of tension within a religious family
Image credits: MART PRODUCTION (not the actual image)
The original poster was left torn between appeasing her son and brother
Image credits: Acceptable_Pick_4664
People remain devoted to their religion despite the potential conflicts it can cause among loved ones
As the story shows, religious differences may cause tension among families. Yet, some people aren’t willing to compromise for their beliefs’ sake.
Brigham Young University professors Dr. David C. Dollahite and Dr. Loren Marks discussed a possible reason in an article for Meridian Magazine.
“Religion both generates and addresses (and may even resolve) a variety of struggles, including relational ones.”
To explain their point further, the two academics gave specific explanations.
“Religious beliefs, practices, and communities offer various ways for adherents to frame and understand trials and afflictions: a punishment for sin, a crucible that purges baser motives, a way to learn humility, a path to holiness, a way to show love to God, or a way to develop moral virtues, among other possibilities and interpretations.”
Handling religious conflicts within the family is about finding balance
According to author Nycollas Marshall, balancing tolerance and civility is key when handling religious conflicts among family members. Marshall is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he grew up in a household with different Christian beliefs.
“Some behaviors an individual should generally not tolerate would be rudeness, insults, and physical violence,” he wrote in an article for Medium. “You should not accept anything that makes you uncomfortable.”
“Don’t be hostile, don’t engage in debate, and answer honest questions (how you determine which questions are honest is up to your judgment).
“Be easy to talk to, be easy to live with. The harmony we aim for requires both parties to cooperate, yet it takes one to destroy it. Make sure you are not the obstacle to peace.”
In today’s story, it only makes sense for the OP to continue with her planned themed party for her son. As for her brother, having a mature, open-minded, and uncontentious dialogue could fix the problem and prevent new ones from arising.
Most commenters didn’t understand the backlash against Shrek and were all for pushing through with the planned theme
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What do you think ?
Bernd Herbert 5 months ago
Religious people are offended by [enter anything]. Shocker! Isn't that their default setting?
Sea Squirrel 5 months ago (edited)
Never change a winning theme! Shrek is OK. Manipulative people who punish a 5 year old by not coming to his birthday because the boy loves Shrek, aren't. Glad to read his parents won't change the theme.
RP 5 months ago
Keep your kids well away from this religious trauma. Go low contact or no contact. Take it from someone who's been there. There is nothing to respect about this. What they are doing is not about personal beliefs, it's brain washing, controlling, and frankly, it's abusive (not the party thing, the isolating children from anyone with opposing beliefs, from science education, and telling them that Godly and therefore also parental love is contingent on behavior, specifically, on behavior designed to oppressed normal sexuality and make women submit to men). It's hard to see the damage when it's how you've been raised, even with some distance, but going back and looking at this subculture from an outsider perspective can be very eye opening.
Kitty Cat 5 months ago
Same. I have spent decades deprogramming this religious BS, but it's never truly gone. Once they have their claws in your kids psychology or emotions, they will create lifelong damage. I'm one of the lucky ones that escaped the cycle, but I'll never be "healthy." I still feel guilt/shame for having normal, human relationships. Don't get me started on the intimacy issues. The abuse is couched with love, so it's almost impossible to separate yourself from it.
Load More Replies... Bernd Herbert 5 months ago
Religious people are offended by [enter anything]. Shocker! Isn't that their default setting?
Sea Squirrel 5 months ago (edited)
Never change a winning theme! Shrek is OK. Manipulative people who punish a 5 year old by not coming to his birthday because the boy loves Shrek, aren't. Glad to read his parents won't change the theme.
RP 5 months ago
Keep your kids well away from this religious trauma. Go low contact or no contact. Take it from someone who's been there. There is nothing to respect about this. What they are doing is not about personal beliefs, it's brain washing, controlling, and frankly, it's abusive (not the party thing, the isolating children from anyone with opposing beliefs, from science education, and telling them that Godly and therefore also parental love is contingent on behavior, specifically, on behavior designed to oppressed normal sexuality and make women submit to men). It's hard to see the damage when it's how you've been raised, even with some distance, but going back and looking at this subculture from an outsider perspective can be very eye opening.
Kitty Cat 5 months ago
Same. I have spent decades deprogramming this religious BS, but it's never truly gone. Once they have their claws in your kids psychology or emotions, they will create lifelong damage. I'm one of the lucky ones that escaped the cycle, but I'll never be "healthy." I still feel guilt/shame for having normal, human relationships. Don't get me started on the intimacy issues. The abuse is couched with love, so it's almost impossible to separate yourself from it.
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