Pressies and different beliefs

[zodiac66]

I have a problem. Samara's grandma wants to know what she can get her for Christmas. She wants to buy her something along the lines of the Catholic religion, everyone here is Agnostic/Wiccan.

I bought her the coolest set of books about Fairies: Fairy Godmother

Another book

This is not meant to be a religious war, but how do I delicately tell Grandma not to buy religious things for her?

My mother knows what I am and respects my beliefs and gets Barbies and pretty dresses. Grandma on the other side wants to take her to Mass and buy her bibles etc. for a present.

I know that I cannot bedgrudge grandma this..taking her to Mass and all, but it just bothers me.

Anyway, what I am asking is how can you delicately tell others your beliefs without seeming odd? Her grandma has no idea my beliefs. Do I just say "NO Mass..period" or allow a 3 year old the decision? I let Liam make up his own mind (thank god its mine). What do people of different religions do at holiday time?

[Dondrei]

An eighteenth century woodcut of **** involved in the blood libel. That should get the message across with Catholic-level subtlety.

[Bortaz]

What will it hurt for her to receive these gifts? Grandma will probably be dead soon anyway, and this might just make her passing easier.


Seriously, why do you want to shield your child from other's beliefs? Are you planning to force her to be Wiccan or whatever you are?

If you don't want her to have the items, simply throw them away when you find them discarded in the living room floor on the day after christmas, next to her Harry Potter wand.

[Nword]

In reply to Bortaz, do little kids want bibles for their birthday or xmas? I know I never did... If I ever hear a little kid try to brag about getting a bible for a gift instead of whatever kids really want, I'd probably leave mentally scarred. :uhhuh:

[Bortaz]

In reply to Bortaz, do little kids want bibles for their birthday or xmas? I know I never did... If I ever hear a little kid try to brag about getting a bible for a gift instead of whatever kids really want, I'd probably leave mentally scarred. :uhhuh:

What the child wants as a present is irrelevant to this issue.

[Nword]

What the child wants as a present is irrelevant to this issue.

Is a child that receives a bible instead of a toy a happy child? I'd tend towards unfortunate. And thus I probably am off the subject. I do think that grandma's plans should changed.

[Merick]

Well, you could explain to your daughter what Grandma's beliefs are, and that it would hurt Grandma's feelings if you told her that you disagree. Even if you daughter isn't Catholic she might be interested in going to a mass to see what the whole thing is about. Getting a bible from Grandma might be a good way to teach her sometimes people give you presents you have no interest in, but it's still important to accept them graciously, even if you never use it. Or maybe I'm overestimating a 3 year old.

[Cloud_Walker]

I would tell grandma that I want my children as free from religious influence as possible. I would tell grandma that I want my child to make up his/her own mind. If grandma doesn't take this well, I would continue to not care.

[King Nothing]

This is somewhat off topic, but I, for one, feel that it's good that you wish to educate your child about unethical business practices and how to write buggy software. It will help prepare her for life as the head of a corporate empire (The first link took me to microsoft.com)

With regards to the original topic, I say that you shouldn't approach it the way I would. Be tactful (I tend to be pretty blunt about these things).

[Keldaris]

Seriously, why do you want to shield your child from other's beliefs? Are you planning to force her to be Wiccan or whatever you are?

At Some point in our lives we all must choose our own path. You became wiccan, your mother-in-law a catholic. Wouldn't it be better for your daughter to experience different ideologies, allowing her to make an informed choice in the future , rather than censor everything that deals with a religion other than your own?

Also, even if she is given a bible....how many children do you know that would sit down and read the it? Personally for me that number is a big zero! As to going to Mass, Church teaches children many good things, such as right and wrong. lets look at some examples shall we: thou shalt not steal, thou shall honor thy mother and father..... hmmm maybe you don't want your child to hear that. Going to church a couple times a year isn't gunna hurt your daughter! I know that If Grandma wants to take my kids to church(It'll be a couple years yet) I am more than happy to let her, Even as a buddhist!

My suggestion: Let Samara decide about mass, and don't worry about the x-mas presents(technically it's a christian holiday anyway)!

In the end the choice is yours, and liam's.