Religious people are offended by [enter anything]. Shocker! Isn't that their default setting?

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.

Don't give in. Religious people are manipulative, if you give them your finger, they'll demand your arm, and never have enough. They never learn. If Shrek is too much to even attend a party, cut them out.

But what about Shrek is against God? It's a made up character for movies, it's not like he is the devil or anything like that. I haven't seen the Shrek movies in some time now but can't remember there being anything regarding religion in any of them.

My boyfriends parents are this 😂 you say ‘no I’m not changing the theme’ - because these kind of people need to realise they and their religion are not the centre of the universe.

Even Jesus was against "religious" people also known as Pharisees. Dear God see me giving more money, see me praying more, etc. I have read the Bible (use to be a Sunday school teacher). I can't find anywhere that Shrek is anti-Christ or anti-Christian.

The problem is not the Shrek-themed party. The problem is the religious nutcase family. They can go to hell.

Prefacing this by saying I am an atheist ex-Christian and I love Shrek and have let my kids watch Shrek BUT….there are ALOT of adult jokes in Shrek eg “do you think he could be compensating for something?”, scene where Farquad (um…F**k Wad) is watching magic mirror pictures of Fiona, in bed, shirtlesss. Like, let’s be honest with our selves, they are there. So I can see why a very conservative, Christian crowd would keep their kids away from it. It’s OP’s kids party, they can do what they want, but it seems the consequence is that the cousins don’t come. Yes, they may not be coming because their parents have a stick up their asses, but I guess that’s the decision OP has to make: cousins or Shrek theme. My SIL had a Pennywise theme for her son’s 5th birthday - I hated the theme but not enough to make my kid miss the party.

Religious fascists are the worst.

Tell them you'll also have a jesus figurine for them to gawk at, then do it but make it a pinata. Give the kids roman outfits and some sticks....go at it. Theme it "Bashin' of the Christ"

If your kids can be knocked off balance by a Shrek movie, you're not doing your job as a 'cking parent.

It's an lighthearted fairytale where the biggest monster is actually a human. There aren't even any real devel or demon characters in it, unless it's in a blink island you'll miss it moment I can't recall. It's a good story of finding acceptance against intolerance. You gave to be in one of the extreme weirdest religious factions to dissaprove of that. Plus Jeses said something like, "do not judge lest you be judged yourself" right.

Oh good, less people to cater for, less people to be there disapproving. All round win.

Just wait it out for a bit longer. When the kids finally realize just how sheltered they are (more extreme than most), you’re going to be able to love them and support them when they start to walk away from the harsh rules their parents insist on.

This is why I hate religion. And yes, I have personal experience with it. Most religions are kindof just cults that let whatever fly as long as it's "In the name of the Lord".

Funny how the majority of the world is influenced by a book ("The Holy Bible") & the adult version of imaginary friends ("God", "Jesus" & "etc".). Who had absolutely nothing to do with that book, which has been written & re-written many times over by only men. Typical!! 🤭

I read the title as a 50yo, not a 5 yo and thought it maybe a little unusual but also a fun party. Maybe I'll do a Shrek theme party for my 50th in a handful of years lol

Why do these people hate Shrek? Did I miss a scene where he worships Satan?

Eh, I loved watching The Mask and Men in Black as a young child. Couldn't have been much older when those movies came out. Shrek is harmless compared to that. Lol

I believe Shrek is a great theme for a kid's party. I also believe that if the cousins' parents find it offensive, they absolutely should not send their children and explain to to those children why. It is beyond the pale for them to take the mother to task. (FWIW I am a child of clergy, grew up with strong religious guardrails, and was not hounded for going "off script" for my choices as a parent)

This is really bizarre out what is the issue with Shrek?? Why would this be offensive I'm just not getting it. I mean it has all the fairy tale characters in it. Three Blind Mice, Big Bad Wolf, three little piggies there's really nothing about this that a sacrilegious so I'm baffled. Do they just not want to live any kind of secular life whatsoever?

Here's a simple solution- have a little family get together (nothing extravagant, just a dinner or cookout) with a little cake (or cupcakes) and ice cream. This way your son still gets to enjoy his birthday with his cousins. That will still allow you and your husband to throw the theme party and not worry about family members not attending. Your son will feel extra special getting to celebrate his birthday twice. We've done this in my family for years (for non religious reasons)! It's a win-win all around.

So, these people are offended by a fictional character in a fantasy story? That really is over the top.

The OP, should 100% have the themed party. Have a short but true answer for the kiddo if he asks why his cousins aren't there, Their family doesn't like Shrek parties, so they stayed home." Also, "Sorry you won't be there well miss you. Let's set up a visit for a few weeks from now so the kids can hang out."

I was raised the same way back in the 80s. Should have seen my.patents reaction to Nimh when we got a tape of it. 5 mins in, straight into the stove. No Captain Planet, HeMan, thunder cats, Casper, romper-room (cuz of the magic mirror), snow white, Cinderella...anything consisting of magic or "new age" stuff. And definitely no last unicorn. Didn't bother me none, I had the outdoors. Grew up in a farm and the fields, valleys, forests were my back yard. So that's what I did....spent all my time outside. Especially in summer. School let out and I was gone till 2 weeks before school started. Having learned how to butcher and hunt at a very young age came in handy. Though these days I rarely eat rabbit. Not sure I can bring myself to.

I may be wrong, but I think some of these ultra conservative Catholic/Christians (who don't seem to actually follow the church) think fairytales are like witchcraft? Like, taboo? Idk, that's all I can think of for why they'd ban Shrek.

Sounds like the family is one of those that spoils Christmas by not allowing the kids to believe in Santa Claus.

Would they like crucifixion-themed party better? Crazy people.

I am religious but not Christian. What other people do is not my business. I don't have to agree with them or them with me but what neither one can do is interfere and push the other to accommodate us with some made up, entitled, stupid reason. I'm offended by something that has no basis in my beliefs therefore you shouldn't do it and if you do I'm not coming. Don't come. Stay away. Send a gift. But making up stuff and using religion as an excuse is just stupid and dangerous. Its a kids party. Shrek is amazing and also has a beautiful message. I want everyone who comes in contact with me to leave having a good opinion of myself and my faith. They are showing a very ugly side and its not helping them or their children.

My religious parents refused to babysit (which they usually did happily) my 2 year old daughter while I went to see “Twilight” literally vampire movie for young teens, because they didn’t agree with the content (vampires) … I WAS THIRTY-ONE YEARS OLD!!!!! So completely ridiculous.

I can't really understand the whole religion thing. It's 2024!! And go Shrek!