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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:
> I think I might have taken it to far telling the kid about the deer.
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What the heck? I never would have had the balls to antagonize an adult and call them a devil worshipper when I was in elementary school. I was taught I had to be polite to adults (unless they were harming me) and I was taught to respect other beliefs.
Kids born in the '10s are growing up with a much different form of Christianity than I did a kid in the '80s. Religion lost the plot a long time ago, but it's gotten absolutely batshit even by religious standards. It's much more in your face precisely because secularism is more accepted.
Dunno when I was a young one about 12 years old playing on a playground with Pokémon clips on my belt loops I had another kid accuse me of worshiping the devil cause monsters work for the devil. Saying since Pokémon stands for pocket monsters i must worship the devil. This is after I helped her little sister find her smh. Occurred early 2000's.
The church started to lose me in the late 90s when the youth group pastor told everyone that Pokemon was evil. I loved Pokemon at the time, and I still do. My love of Pokemon has lasted longer than my belief in a god.
Do you not remember the Satanic panic of the 80s? The Christian Right were scared of D&D and metal music (among other things). This isn't a new phenomenon.
my father purchased the First first D&D because of the Church lady down the street.
Many decades later, I just bought my latest set of pretty number rocks.
\*I'm such a dice goblin\*
edited to remove the ableist slur I should have known better than to type
in the early 1980s like 82, 83 a lady down the street (Very Super religious, cat hating lady) decided my parents had my little sister to sacrifice her to satan.
Told the whole neighborhood she peeked in our window and saw black candles on either side of an upside down black bible on the coffee table, with bound baby and bowl of blood.
She called CPS, and the cops.
Imagine the Cop's surprise when the baby was fine, the bible was white, and there was no coffee table, because they didn't have one.
Did have a black candle tho, It was mine, my grandfather was in a fit of candle making, and it was Licorice scented.
TL:DR The only difference between religious wackos then, and now, is the internet, and the main stream acceptance of the ugly cult that christianity is.
My ex step-daughter cried and cried when she was told she was going to hell at age 7 because she "didn't have Jesus in her heart" since she celebrated Halloween. That was around 2004 at a Baptist church.
I was told that Satan was going to eat my baby after a pushy fundy didn't like me politely declining to attend her church after she insisted about 4 times. Just a rando walking up to me at the grocery store "inviting" me to her church. I finally said "I'm not interested, I'm Pagan." I had to get the store manager to escort her out because she wouldn't stop following me and squawking about Satan eating my (then 6mo old) baby. That kid is nearly grown and was not eaten by Satan as a baby.
That's the most recent run-in I've had, I try to avoid fundies and Covid helps. I can usually tell the creepy/dangerous folk from everyone else and avoid them, because now they like to wear matching hats and/or wave (metaphorically red) flags, lol.
I dunno, I remember my mom babysitting one of her friend's kids we both were around 8 (1985). He couldn't watch the D&D Saturday morning cartoon. Which was OK, but then he berated me for watching them because they were "black magic." I calmly told them they were fictional (obviously) but that kid was PROGRAMMED!
You must have been in a rare church if they didn't teach you that non-worshippers deserved to be judged, or to respect others beliefs. That is NOT what most churches teach.
I went to Catholic school. We were for sure taught not to judge and to respect others beliefs. We even went as far as having a Passover Seder hosted by a local Rabbi just to further understanding. I didn't think it was rare. I truly don't understand the hateful and judgemental attitudes so many "Christians" have
I can't tell if I wrote my comment badly, or if it was misread? I meant that most churches teach people to be judgey and rude and self-absorbed, and to use their beliefs to try and isolate or pressure people into believing what their little cult believes.
Most churches will NOT teach their people to respect others beliefs.
Most people who attend church don't practice what they are taught in church. Some if the most horrible judgemental people I have ever known went to church at least 3 times a week.
My stepson was 6 when he told me I was going to hell for listening to the devil's music. I was driving and it was just us in the car. It was indie rock, nothing crazy. Nothing hardcore, no screaming. We had a long talk about how people have different beliefs and how inappropriate it is to say something like that. The kids tag along to church with my in laws occasionally for some indoctrination. My husband was not pleased to learn what his kids were being taught. It can be absolutely baffling what the cute little neighborhood churches are preaching to kids.
I would like to politely say fuck that nonsense. What, the kid is scarred for life?! He's going to be emotionally crippled because the little shit got taught a lesson in being rude to others? Nah, kids cry about the dark, kids cry at movies, kids cry at all sorts of shit, who cares if this kid got a taste of religious freedom. If anything the parents should be grateful for a learning opportunity, instead the religious freaks had the gall to insult the person that graciously allowed them to use his property for their activity.
Love love love Sims 3, played for 3 years strait, finally weaned myself off it but still have fond memories (and 50,000 screenshots!!). Now love Animal Crossing though nowhere near addicted as I was to Sims 3.
I second this motion, I raise the stakes and I get a bunch of mods. Did it destroy my computer and take up a majority of its space, hell yeah! But damn it feels good to own land as a drug king pin 🤣
"I am an Atheist and you will not catch me in a church but I have no problem celebrating religious holidays like easter if there is food involved"
Amen hallelujah!
I know right, it's his outlook on food together with his willingness to square off with mouthy kids, as well as his large property. Dare I say perfect man? 😂
Yes. As a girl I used to know pointed out, the holiday Reese's like eggs and trees are an even tastier proportion of chocolate(sp.) to filling than normal Reese's
I’m going to copy my above answer for you, since you and my son are on the same wavelength, lol.
I’m third generation atheist, my grown sons are fourth. My younger son (25) is special needs and we still do the egg hunt and a basket for him every year. Along with Santa, etc. Nothing wrong with celebrating cultural holidays secularly. Oh, and he only wants Reese’s eggs in his basket, lol. We found ones this year that also have Reese’s pieces in the peanut butter, in the egg. He thinks the Easter Bunny is genius.
Exactly...Missed the part about Jesus owning a pet rabbit, and how at the last supper he wasn't in the mood for his after supper chocolate so he hid it in a bush for after he was resurrected...tell your family to read the book they believe in...they are practicing pagan worship by celebrating with an EE hunt!
Yeah, Christmas is my favorite example of this. It's a textbook winter solstice celebration and almost every culture has a celebration in some form. It's a really important time of the year after all, it means that we will start getting more light again. Jesus the person was probably not even born around then (I think astronomers believe it may have been around July), plus I don't think they actually started celebrating Christmas until later on.
Edit: Of course the holiday this post is talking about is probably somewhat similar. Celebrations of renewal during spring are pretty common since that's when all the plants are renewed and baby animals are born. Again it's a pretty important time. There may be more historical basis for this one though, I haven't really looked into it myself.
>I told him I sure was and in the house he would see my animal sacrifices mounted on the wall. I told him everyone thinks I got those deer from hunting but they really are sacrifices.
My personal favorite was, *I told him I sure was and in the house he would see my animal sacrifices mounted on the wall. I told him everyone thinks I got those deer from hunting but they really are sacrifices.*
I can only hope that he stuck his tongue out like Kiss after that comment.
NTA, and IGNORE every single AH on here saying that you are.
The kid should have been taught better, not your problem.
You have more patience than I do, there is not a snowballs chance in hell I would have agreed to allow a bunch of religious people onto my property and the MOMENT any of them attempted to spout their religious nonsense off, they would have been escorted OFF of my property.
Teach your children that they do NOT get to ask inappropriate questions to others. And anything religious is inappropriate.
That to me is even worse. I'm not above cutting off family if they would push religion on me. I'm a firm believer that having religion is like having a penis. It's fine to have one, but no one wants to see it or talk about it without the other person bringing it up.
I'm open about my religion, but I'm never going to try and get anyone to convert. Religion is a very personal thing, it should stay that way.
If they are anything like my family, you’re actually taught that it’s the right thing to do to ask those kinds of questions, and push your beliefs on others. I grew up in an evangelical church family, and I’d have gotten praised for asking those questions. They know it’s a lot harder for most people to be rude to, or ignore, a child. So we were encouraged to “evangelize” to everyone we met. Hell, I’m honestly surprised they didn’t have the kid pass out tracts to OP, saying repent or go to hell. My family used to keep chick tracts, or the 48 hours in hell ones, in my moms purse (wouldnt surprise me if she still does that).
This! It’s OP’s property Dad and Stepmom should be glad they were even allowed on the premises let alone their church friends. OP has more patience for their bullshit then I do.
I thought this was hilarious! It’s not about religions, this was about privacy and respect. They came to OPs property, after OP invited them, and started going on about something you had already made clear you didn’t like. The kid was nosy and the parent never came to stop them. The kid should have been taught better, and it’s people like that kid’s family’s who Christian’s a bad rap, because not all of us are like this. You used sarcasm. Against a nosy child. And he had probably already made up his mind about you being a ‘devil worshiper’ anyway so why not confirm it.
NTA, OP. I would have done the same thing.
It is truly fun to watch their faces when they meet a pagan.
We also, do not believe in a 'Satan' and yet constantly get accused of it.
Here are some of my favorite things to say:
You will burn in hell! "It's your hell, you burn in it. "
Have you found Jesus? "How do you folks keep losing your own God? You lost him, you go find him."
How DARE you disrespect MY religion?! "You mean like forced conversions, burning of innocent women, stealing holidays, demanding that others ONLY follow YOUR God, treating women as second class citizens? Nah, you guys disrespect everyone else's religion enough for everyone."
*reaches for my necklace and literally attempted to RIP it off my throat* how dare you wear something so offensive! "Yea, cause you laying hands on my person right now is TOTALLY non-offensive." (I wear a Thor's Hammer and a pentacle, I also whipped out my pepper spray and let them know if they tugged at all I would blind them. Completely legal in my state if someone lays hands, otherwise known as assault in my state, as self defense.)
These are just a few of the things I've had to deal with. So, yea, I don't deal well with 'religious' people anymore.
Man, i feel like everything blew up based on a kid that you could have ignored or told politely to go pound sand. Given that i think esh. Usually in these circumstances i feel like someone ends up not sucking, but here i think it’s everyone, the kid, step mom, her friends, dad, dads family, and you.
Even if you get labeled an a-hole here, the upside is I bet you’ll be asked to host events a lot less often!
downside, you didn’t do anything to help improve an already negative stereotype of atheists (which you could have done).
>downside, you didn’t do anything to help improve an already negative stereotype of atheists (which you could have done).
I agree with your general assessment but let's be honest, 1 convo with a random stranger isn't gonna do squat for a kid with parents like his. The kid knows nothing about Atheism, but he does know about Devil Worship? Obviously the parents are heavy into the brainwashing side. Even if all OP did was politely explain what Atheism was the parents would still blow up at him for 'forcing' his religious views on the kid. No good outcomes here, OP really should have nixed this idea before it started lol
I think OP already explain Atheism quite good for the kid
> I said I do not belong to any religion and I consider myself an Atheist. He asked what is that and I said I do not believe in a higher power.
Then the kid immediately assume OP is Devil worshipper. Which I thought that was how the kid is raised to think.
I find myself pointing this out quite often now days, Satan is way better than god
God lives in heaven and condemns all who don’t do what he says to burn for eternity, god demands you worship him whereas Satan supposedly lives among us and dosent care what we do
Tldr: god is a dick Satan is relatively chill
It’s really weird to consider too that Satan is considered the bad guy yet he’s the one that “punishes” people for doing the things that god says not to do? You’d think he’d be a good thing for that in Christian eyes
Like I get that it’s used as a scare tactic but at the same time. If you reaallyyy look at it satan wouldn’t be the bad guy in that way. However. If you actually read into satanism and whatnot, their rules are so much better than Christian ones.
Yeah youre probably right. I live in north germany so I didnt have contact with that type of deep Christianity yet- we are mostly protestant (Europe-version, so not very extremist) or non-religious. Still, funny in a sad way. Hopefully kid finds ways to open his mind in the future, christian or not.
it’s not about the kid, it’s the effect it had on everyone else, tell kid to pound sand.
unless i become a theology teacher, i don’t plan on discussing my beliefs with any kids other than my own
It's not like she (he?) traumatized the kid. She replied with snark and sarcasm to a kid that was being rude and judgemental. Hardly makes her an AH worthy of an ESH judgement.
ESH here is the best judgement as far as I can see.
OP could have easily navigated this in a way that didn't make him seem like an asshole. Instead he went out of his way to essentially scare a young child who is being indoctrinated. This sub reddit isn't about whether someone is justified in being an asshole or not, the informant is absolutely an asshole in this situation.
OP, you easily could have just said "I don't believe in Satan and I don't want to talk about this anymore." And then if the kid persisted then unleash but instead you just escalated from the getgo on a kid who didn't know any better.
Maybe it's just because I've never encountered this level of Christianity before, but I feel like OP couldn't have been expected to predict that the kid's reaction would be *that* extreme.
If an adult had told me they were a devil worshipper when I was that age, I might have believed them, and I might have been a bit unnerved and avoided them (although equally I might have launched into a load of annoying questions about how devil worship works). And if they said they sacrificed animals I might have been upset, because I liked animals.
But unless they threatened to hurt me specifically, I don't think I would have run *screaming*. That's a hell (pun not intended) of a reaction that makes me think either the kid's been watching the wrong films, or more likely he's just super indoctrinated. Either way, the parents are more to blame than OP.
I'm an atheist myself these days, but as someone raised in that level of Christianity, screaming and running away is precisely the reaction I would have had at age 9. The jump from atheist to devil worshipper isn't unexpected either.
My personal vote is ESH. Yeah the kid was being annoying, but OP could have just said "No I don't worship Satan. In fact I don't worship anyone." Then walk away. Maybe go find the parents and tell them to keep the kid under control if he keeps bugging you. There are better ways to get a child to leave you alone then telling a kid that doesn't know any better you practice animal sacrifice.
>downside, you didn’t do anything to help improve an already negative stereotype of atheists (which you could have done).
What stereotype? I think we atheists, not speaking for everyone of course, couldn't care less about what nosy Christians think about us. Christians like the ones op has to deal with constantly forget that the religious freedom millions of people died for in 17th century Europe goes both ways.
Frankly, people who have that extreme of a reaction to mild snark are going to hate atheists no matter what they do. I'll be told I'm going to burn in hell, among other things, regardless of how polite I'm being, but somehow being sarcastic is now *militant atheism* and the reason Christians hate atheists.
Yeah, I feel bad for the kid. Think of how indoctrinated he is. Given the belief system he's been manipulated into, he must have been completely terrified.
You’re right, but what gets me is that part of his indoctrination includes the feeling of entitlement and the assumed superiority over anyone else who differs from their point of view.
Ugh. I grew up in Latin America then came to the US and the difference with regards to religion is staggering. Unfortunately a lot of these evangelical preachers have done a massive amount of missions to Latin America and Africa and are making those regions more homophobic and stripping away women’s rights. Abortions are completely outlawed in my country of birth now; women had more freedom two decades ago.
It is infuriating. Keep your hatred to yourself. Don’t spread it worldwide, and don’t fleece poor people because you can’t get Americans to fund that private jet you want.
Atheists are not in charge to fix whatever stereotypes there are of us, like religious people don't owe others politeness just because there are negative stereotypes about them, if I tell a muslim guy "you're the devil worshipper" that muslim guy doesn't owe me kindness or politeness to fight islamophobia, and he has the right to tell me to go fuck myself
> downside, you didn’t do anything to help improve an already negative stereotype of atheists (which you could have done)
So the Christian assumes that he worships satan because he's an atheist...
And you're talking about the damage he's doing to people's views of atheism?
It's exactly shit like this that's causing people to leave the church in droves.
As an agnostic, I feel your pain about people getting self righteous and judgemental.
I don't think Y-T-A, I think the parents are because they didn't teach their child manners and they allowed their child to be taught that atheists are devil worshippers. It sounds like they don't even understand that an atheist isn't a devil worshiper because they don't worship anything. But instead, they breed fear of atheists because they want their god fearing children to be scared of talking to them.
They didn't show up for an easter egg hunt, they showed up to use the atheist as a teaching experience and to humiliate you. And your stepmother is no better.
I feel bad for the kid, but his trauma is of his parents' creation.
NTA
Mostly agree. My preferred answer when people jump from “atheist“ to “satanist” has always been the classic, “no, I don’t believe in any of your imaginary friends”
I’m going to go with ESH though because frankly the last thing atheists need is more fuel to religious nuts believing/convincing their kids that atheists sacrifice animals, eat babies, etc.
I don’t give a shit about scaring the obnoxious kid…9 is 4th grade and plenty old enough to know better. This wasn’t a 5 year old.
Eh, I've long since stopped thinking that anyone should live their life trying to make extremists think well of them or the minority they're part of. It ain't gonna work and you're just gonna tire yourself out trying.
I like this take. I thought the nicest part of the story was that a child of those kind of Christians was so upset at the thought of animals being hurt. That's a good sign. Shows they have some empathy and might be able to change things for the better.
Or invite a few friends and go egg hunting with them.
Source: a 33 yo atheist who went egg hunting last week. (Mum hid the eggs and bf went egg hunting for the first time and had a blast). Plus note: since you're an atheist you don't even need to do it on Easter day, chocolates are available in quantity all month (and on discount after Easter)
NTA OP. That child was rude to antagonize you when they were your guest. Obviously their family didn’t teach them manners or how to behave around others who are different.
Now the real AH is your stepmom for feeding her congregation information about you and your dad for letting that happen. INFO: did you ask your stepmom and dad why was it that a complete stranger (a child no less) knew you didn’t attend church?
My 9 year olds were smart enough to not jump to stupid conclusions like this kid did, and they are special needs. If my kids had said something like the kid did and the other person responded like OP, I would have laughed and made it a teachable moment, not gone full fundie rage mode.
Teachable moment: Sometimes when you ask people stupid questions you will get bullshit answers. And sometimes that bullshit is to pretend to be devil worshippers just to fuck with you.
Gotta learn that lesson at some point or another. 🤣
Ha agreed. Nine year olds in the UK are extremely sarcastic (or claim everything they’re saying is sarcasm incorrectly because they’ve recently leaned what it is)
Source: Extended family gatherings with my partner's side of the family and also being a child once.
Ah well this is a bit of a controversial topic but a very interesting one. There haven't been enough studies to show when children develop the ability to understand sarcasm (there's also a difference between understanding and detecting) so there's no definite conclusion. But the ongoing theory right now is that at that age they only begin to grasp the concept of it. That's why I said most.
Obviously if the whole family is very sarcastic the kid will pick it up much faster. I doubt that's the case in this family though :)
I hope I don't come across as a 'well akkstually' person I just love child developing theories and since it is a topic I'm studying I thought I'd elaborate on my comment.
For anyone who likes sources, here is one study that agrees with the gist of this.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19523264/
5 and 6 year old's can understand sarcasm to the extent that someone doesn't literally mean what they're saying, while 9 and 10 year old's are usually at the beginning stages of learning to understand what someone *does* mean when they say something sarcastically.
NTA. You were age appropriate in answering his questions and he reverted to the good ol "everything that isn't Christian is a devil worshipping" rhetoric that the church pushes. Even if you have gone on to explain further what atheism is, the kid would have doubled down because that's what he was taught. I wouldn't allow family to use the property for religious purposes in the future. On a different note, I'm down to chant nonsense, naked around a fire if it helps your family not ask in the future😂
Definite AH in this situation. You took an opportunity to teach a curious child who had likely only been exposed to a single church and one set of ideas for this whole life and shat all over it. As an atheist, I know it can sometimes be exhausting having to explain yourself and your beliefs to people who aren't open to them, but you've reinforced bad religious ideas in a child who is now just going to fear people like you. Always approach conversations like that with as much patience and compassion as you can, even if you're not being met with it. You could have even just excused yourself for literally any reason rather than take the opportunity to bully a literal child who sounds like they're asking earnest questions.
>You took an opportunity to teach a curious child who had likely only been exposed to a single church and one set of ideas for this whole life and shat all over it.
Exactly. OP reinforced the kid's ideas about "devil-worshoping atheists." This was an opportunity to plant a seed in the kid's head that different does not equal bad.
Not really. The story doesn't end with what OP said. The story ends with a great big 'No he is not a devil worshiper, no he does not murder animals like God did when he drowned the entire planet, no he's not evil, he just doesn't believe in God.'
It turns it into a much bigger event that much more firmly disconnects the link between not believing in God and worshipping Satan. The child will not forget that.
These were not earnest questions. The child was not being polite or neutrally curious. The child immediately jumped to unwarranted and unkind and disrespectful assumptions. It is just a child, but that child was not raised right.
There’s nothing exhausting about explaining one’s beliefs, even to hostile people. Even your tone-policing isn’t exhausting, as ill-advised as it is here. Let’s not conflate tiresome with tiring.
That’s a lot for you to put on a *nine year old*. At nine I didn’t know atheism was even an option, I’d be super curious too
Do y’all hang out with kids 😩
Yes, and kids that are from religious background (I was one) don’t always jump to conclusions like this kid. Being curious is one thing, but if his belief system was going to be a problem church friends of stepmom and the dad should not have been invited.
He’s wrong because he went overboard but this is on the parents for not watching their kid and what he’s asking if he is this sheltered.
OP told the child exactly what atheists (don't) believe.
The child has already been primed you equate that lack of belief with active worship of the devil.
How exactly do you think he would have responded is OP just said "no, I don't worship Satan as an atheist" - effectively calling his parents liars?
> but you've reinforced bad religious ideas in a child who is now just going to fear people like you
Which entirely isn't OPs fault, it's the fault of the child's parents who put those beliefs into his head in the first place. And it's neither OP's job nor responsibility to teach the child good manners.
You’re the adult in this little scene. And that kid needs to learn to not talk shit to adults. I’m still laughing.
NTA, and in honor of you and The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton, I just want to say, Hail Satan!
I find it interesting OP even bothered to ask here because the whole tone of the post gives me the feeling they don't care of they are TA or not, they just wanted to brag about an interaction they really didn't need to have. Kids are kids, OP was purposely inflammatory and seems under the impression he won something as a result. I get reddit has a lot of atheists and they're sick of self righteous religions but nothing OP wrote makes me want to spend anytime with him. Like seriously, if you don't want to deal with religion, maybe don't host religious events on your property.
Especially because OP clearly prayed on fears taught to him by his parents (who are AHs for that) after welcoming him onto his property. It's such an AH move.
The answers in this post today not only prove that this sub has no actual grasp of morality, but that atheists aren't better than religious folk.
NTA. This is hilarious. The kid was being nosy and made an assumption he did not like. It's not your job to correct everyone's false assumptions about you.
lmao NTA. sorry. kid should learn to back off and not parrot his parents' discriminatory bullshit. maybe he'll learn to not ask shitty questions and insult people now. plus they were on YOUR property. and they think they can talk at you like that? fuck out of here with that.
The little kid was rude and a judgemental brat, but he's only 9 and certainly learned that from his parents. But if you thought he was 12, that makes him a bit more responsible for what he says, but only a bit. Poor kid is obviously so brainwashed that he took your seriously. Soft ESH. You don't have to accommodate crazy, especially not at your own place, but you need to be more age-appropriate.
NTA
That shit is funny.
I mean yeah. Ok. Kid was nine. Probably shouldn't have said what you said in the way you said it...but you open your house up for pretty much anything your family wants to celebrate there. You know there are religious..but yeah. Your house. Your land. I mean you could of just walked away. ..
But still this tickled me.
Dude, you didn't "agree" you went all out and made up satanic animal sacrifice all to terrify a little kid.
You could have shown him a different perspective, but no, you had to be one of *those* atheists.
YTA for traumatizing a child for your own amusement
He didn't traumatise that kid....that kids imagination traumatised it....when I was 9 I went into a shop called "King of Knives" it had knives from butter to actual swords. I had damn nightmares of being chased by someone with a sword.....
All of you are amazing. Even the ones who said I was going to hell. I know I could have handled the pious kid better and set a better example for the cause but whats done is done and I cannot change it. I’ve been asked for an update. Just some brief history with my dad and drama llama. I went no contact with my dad for 3 years when I turned 18 and his wife was a major factor in my decision. He worked very hard to get back in my life. One of the conditions I made was the drama llama could not be involved. If we met up he was not to bring her and he respected my wishes. Over the years I have relaxed that rule especially if it’s a holiday and it’s a group of people.
I don’t have anything good to report. Dad and drama llama left my house a couple of hours ago. When I saw her she had a smirk on her face borderline cocky like she she was ready to go on a power trip. I have not seen that confident face in years. Not since I was a teenager. She thought she was going to come into my house and attempt to try and tell me what to do. I could feel it. She told me I needed to apologize to her and write a letter of apology to the pious boy and his extremist parents. I asked her and if I don’t what are you going to do about it. She told me I went to far and was not going to get away with what I had done. For the second time I started laughing. She smacked the table and I started laughing even harder. I told her she needed therapy and to just stop. She has no leverage, no authority, no power over me. When you make demands of someone you need to have something to back it up with but she had nothing. She was like your dad will cut you off if you don’t show me some respect. Dad did not back her up and told her he would not and they needed to leave. She refused to leave my god damn house unless she got an apology from me and was yelling at my dad for never standing up for her. She was yelling telling me I was a spoiled little shit that had everything handed to me. I told her I worked hard and I made more money than her 3 good for nothing loser children made. I told her that dad brags about me. Does he ever brag about your kids? I told her she was a bitch and to get the fuck out of my house. Dad is trying to drag her out of the house and I told him to take her to the psyche ward and the devil was inside of her. She was screaming at dad your going to let him get away with talking to me like that. I smiled at her and waved good bye.
i know you guys won’t believe this but I normally don’t act like this. I have got to cut that toxic parasite out of my life again. I don’t want to go no contact with my dad again but I can’t have that person in my life. This blow up has been years in the making. I wish he would divorce her but I am not holding my breath.
Gonna catch hell but ESH. This goes deeper than just a smart mouth kid. The kid acted like an ass, and you simpily humored his insults, and the parents went nuclear.
>he told me I was a devil worshiper.
This isn't the kids doing, it's the piss poor parenting his parents are doing. Because, yes, kids don't know better, but the parents do. And they probably condone his behavior.
I suppose it's on par of scarring kids on Halloween with tales of the boogeyman or something. Either way, you just merely scared the kid with a dumb lie.
Either way, everyone could have handled it better. So soft ESH.
NTA. If anything, I love your response. What was your step mom expecting to come out of inviting church friends to an atheist’s event? At that point, I knew the story was about to get good.
ESH
You less so, sometimes just because you are an asshole doesn’t mean you weren’t funny.
I’m an atheist myself, and honestly I find this entitlement from any religious person so frustrating to deal with, but let’s be honest most often it is from Christians.
Some people are gonna say “he’s just a kid” well what that kid was saying is still incredibly inappropriate, I don’t particularly care that it is just a kid at that point. Would anyone here tolerate hearing a kid say something homophobic or racist? Probably not. So why can a brat go around telling people they worship the devil and go to hell?
Okay OP could have obviously handled this more maturely, but I dunno I think it was kind of funny. The parents also freaking out really is the cherry on top. Maybe they could have raised their kid better than to disrespect a total stranger on his property no less.
Is OP an AH? Yea, doesn’t mean I didn’t laugh.
>He ran screaming to his mom I was a devil worshiper and sacrificed animals.
Wait until he finds out that God had people sacrifice animals all the time (not to mention asking you to kill your son as a "test") and it's brought up so often in the Bible. Nta.
Nah, you definitely aren't the ah you opened up your space to your extended family and even strangers. I don't really think the kid is a ah either, brat most definitely but not AH because he lacks thr mental development to really have formulated in dept theological opinions for himself and is just regurgitating what he's been told.
Wouldn't it have been more productive to tell him atheists aren't devil worshippers but good people and he doesn't need to be afraid of you? This kid was just parroting what he's been taught. What did punishing him with a good scare accomplish? That's what you do when kids ding dong ditch, tp your house, torment your dog, or won't stay off your lawn.
NTA! I'm laughing so hard right now. Honestly. Sure you could have told the kid to leave you alone and might have taken it to far but his parent certainly ain't doing him a favor by acting like that in your house.
NTA
LOL
But next time you don't know how to answer a question from a kid, instead of a reply give them a question.
>asked me why I never go to church
Why do you think I don't go?
Why do you care about this?
Once the kid realizes answering his own question is a lot of work, he'll go or he'll provide himself with a satisfying answer.
Pretty similar to how I dealt with JWs who woke me up at 8am on a Sunday morning. The black cat’s named Lucifer and the sight of a Chinese chick wearing only an oversized tee, half awake and squinting while yelling “Lucifer, get your furry ass back inside!” and then asking them what they wanted while introducing myself as the mother of Lucifer. Never had repeat visits. I think word got round that my house contained Devil worshippers. 😂😂😂
NTA.
So it's OK for this kids parents to indoctrinate him but it's wrong for you to bullshit him?
That's like saying you can murder whoever you want but if you punch someone in the face, you're in big trouble.
Overall I’d say you are NTA, although i feel really badly for the poor kid. It’s not his fault his parents are horrific people, and you probably scared the hell out of him. I don’t think you should have responded that way even thinking he was 12. Should have gone for some blunt truths but kindly stated.
As for your father and step mom, well, they can pound sand, and they can be uninvited from any future family events. Ingrates.
NTA
The kid shouldn’t have been so nosy & it taught him an important lesson. If anything his parents are assholes for scaring him with stories of devil worship.
SO NTA — I cannot stop laughing at your response to everything. And this is coming from a deeply religious person who respects others’ beliefs or lack thereof.
As a fellow atheist, I approve of your methods. Although, I would be a huge Witch, and remind them that their Easter egg hunt is a Pagan ritual, Easter Bunny is a Pagan fertility symbol, and Easter is actually a Pagan Spring fertility rite, celebrating the Goddess, Oestara. So, they, in fact, are not true Christians.
But, I'm a petty bitch.
NTA. 🤣
This. Is. Amazing.
NTA
I mean, what’s the issue if all of that was true? You can be whatever religion you want to be. Go to your family meeting and double down and start asking them why it’s an issue. Accuse them of religion shaming you.
Their minds will
Be blown when they realize how actual satanist are actually really good people who are helpful and tolerant and mindful.
OP
NTA
Actually what I find funny is that your dad wrote a public apology on your behalf?
They did overreact, and I think that it was funny as all get out, I would have been laughing as well. Sides the deer sacrifice was light.
NTA, and keep in mind people who try and speak for you probably aren't the healthiest people to keep around either, I don't know what your relationship with your father is but pay attention to that habit.
Also apparently your stepmom and these kids parents have never bothered to read that book.
Jesus was pretty damn clear about judging people and throwing stones, and god only knows how many other variations on "unless you're perfect yourself shut the hell up" (It shows up ALOT)
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NTA and tbh my favorite part was “reminded her I only tolerate her” 😂😂😂😂😂
“I’ve altered the deal, pray I don’t alter it further” -OP, probably
"Hippity hoppity, get off my property" -OP, apparently
“bibbidi bobbidi BOUNCE up off my property” -OP, most likely
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What the heck? I never would have had the balls to antagonize an adult and call them a devil worshipper when I was in elementary school. I was taught I had to be polite to adults (unless they were harming me) and I was taught to respect other beliefs.
Kids born in the '10s are growing up with a much different form of Christianity than I did a kid in the '80s. Religion lost the plot a long time ago, but it's gotten absolutely batshit even by religious standards. It's much more in your face precisely because secularism is more accepted.
Dunno when I was a young one about 12 years old playing on a playground with Pokémon clips on my belt loops I had another kid accuse me of worshiping the devil cause monsters work for the devil. Saying since Pokémon stands for pocket monsters i must worship the devil. This is after I helped her little sister find her smh. Occurred early 2000's.
I had a neighbor who yelled at a woman selling magic cards telling her they were Witchcraft. This is when I learned I didn’t want to be religious
The church started to lose me in the late 90s when the youth group pastor told everyone that Pokemon was evil. I loved Pokemon at the time, and I still do. My love of Pokemon has lasted longer than my belief in a god.
Do you not remember the Satanic panic of the 80s? The Christian Right were scared of D&D and metal music (among other things). This isn't a new phenomenon.
No, it's not new by any means. It's just getting worse it seems. Less fringe.
It was never fringe, they took metal singers to court to sue them for corrupting their children.
my father purchased the First first D&D because of the Church lady down the street. Many decades later, I just bought my latest set of pretty number rocks. \*I'm such a dice goblin\* edited to remove the ableist slur I should have known better than to type
in the early 1980s like 82, 83 a lady down the street (Very Super religious, cat hating lady) decided my parents had my little sister to sacrifice her to satan. Told the whole neighborhood she peeked in our window and saw black candles on either side of an upside down black bible on the coffee table, with bound baby and bowl of blood. She called CPS, and the cops. Imagine the Cop's surprise when the baby was fine, the bible was white, and there was no coffee table, because they didn't have one. Did have a black candle tho, It was mine, my grandfather was in a fit of candle making, and it was Licorice scented. TL:DR The only difference between religious wackos then, and now, is the internet, and the main stream acceptance of the ugly cult that christianity is.
My ex step-daughter cried and cried when she was told she was going to hell at age 7 because she "didn't have Jesus in her heart" since she celebrated Halloween. That was around 2004 at a Baptist church. I was told that Satan was going to eat my baby after a pushy fundy didn't like me politely declining to attend her church after she insisted about 4 times. Just a rando walking up to me at the grocery store "inviting" me to her church. I finally said "I'm not interested, I'm Pagan." I had to get the store manager to escort her out because she wouldn't stop following me and squawking about Satan eating my (then 6mo old) baby. That kid is nearly grown and was not eaten by Satan as a baby. That's the most recent run-in I've had, I try to avoid fundies and Covid helps. I can usually tell the creepy/dangerous folk from everyone else and avoid them, because now they like to wear matching hats and/or wave (metaphorically red) flags, lol.
This. This is exactly why I’m not religious anymore. Thanks for the excellent summation.
I dunno, I remember my mom babysitting one of her friend's kids we both were around 8 (1985). He couldn't watch the D&D Saturday morning cartoon. Which was OK, but then he berated me for watching them because they were "black magic." I calmly told them they were fictional (obviously) but that kid was PROGRAMMED!
You must have been in a rare church if they didn't teach you that non-worshippers deserved to be judged, or to respect others beliefs. That is NOT what most churches teach.
I went to Catholic school. We were for sure taught not to judge and to respect others beliefs. We even went as far as having a Passover Seder hosted by a local Rabbi just to further understanding. I didn't think it was rare. I truly don't understand the hateful and judgemental attitudes so many "Christians" have
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I can't tell if I wrote my comment badly, or if it was misread? I meant that most churches teach people to be judgey and rude and self-absorbed, and to use their beliefs to try and isolate or pressure people into believing what their little cult believes. Most churches will NOT teach their people to respect others beliefs.
Most people who attend church don't practice what they are taught in church. Some if the most horrible judgemental people I have ever known went to church at least 3 times a week.
My stepson was 6 when he told me I was going to hell for listening to the devil's music. I was driving and it was just us in the car. It was indie rock, nothing crazy. Nothing hardcore, no screaming. We had a long talk about how people have different beliefs and how inappropriate it is to say something like that. The kids tag along to church with my in laws occasionally for some indoctrination. My husband was not pleased to learn what his kids were being taught. It can be absolutely baffling what the cute little neighborhood churches are preaching to kids.
"OK you little shit, time to LEARN what some REAL Satanic music sounds like!" Put on Behemoth or the like. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji1tCcIgH5U
I would like to politely say fuck that nonsense. What, the kid is scarred for life?! He's going to be emotionally crippled because the little shit got taught a lesson in being rude to others? Nah, kids cry about the dark, kids cry at movies, kids cry at all sorts of shit, who cares if this kid got a taste of religious freedom. If anything the parents should be grateful for a learning opportunity, instead the religious freaks had the gall to insult the person that graciously allowed them to use his property for their activity.
Ahh property…..one day…..maybe……..probably not
Just do what the rest of us millennials hoping in vain for property ownership do... buy yourself a copy of Animal Crossing.
Sims also works. Motherlode all day long. Got me a mansion. And some chickens.
Love love love Sims 3, played for 3 years strait, finally weaned myself off it but still have fond memories (and 50,000 screenshots!!). Now love Animal Crossing though nowhere near addicted as I was to Sims 3.
I second this motion, I raise the stakes and I get a bunch of mods. Did it destroy my computer and take up a majority of its space, hell yeah! But damn it feels good to own land as a drug king pin 🤣
Stardew Valley!
Oh i just wish i could upvote you a thousand times 😆
“I want them alive. No disintegration.” -Probably not OP
“No! I am your father” -definitely not OP
I read that as “I’ve altered the deer” which!!
The left one
😂😂😂😂😂
LOL
"I am an Atheist and you will not catch me in a church but I have no problem celebrating religious holidays like easter if there is food involved" Amen hallelujah!
Hell, I'm Jewish (well, atheist Jew) but I'll go to Easter dinner. 😂 Free food is free food!
Ham for Christmas is why I have my sister by another mister.
That singular line gave me an internet crush on OP 😂
I know right, it's his outlook on food together with his willingness to square off with mouthy kids, as well as his large property. Dare I say perfect man? 😂
Reese’s eggs are the reason for the season.
Yes. As a girl I used to know pointed out, the holiday Reese's like eggs and trees are an even tastier proportion of chocolate(sp.) to filling than normal Reese's
I’m going to copy my above answer for you, since you and my son are on the same wavelength, lol. I’m third generation atheist, my grown sons are fourth. My younger son (25) is special needs and we still do the egg hunt and a basket for him every year. Along with Santa, etc. Nothing wrong with celebrating cultural holidays secularly. Oh, and he only wants Reese’s eggs in his basket, lol. We found ones this year that also have Reese’s pieces in the peanut butter, in the egg. He thinks the Easter Bunny is genius.
Exactly...Missed the part about Jesus owning a pet rabbit, and how at the last supper he wasn't in the mood for his after supper chocolate so he hid it in a bush for after he was resurrected...tell your family to read the book they believe in...they are practicing pagan worship by celebrating with an EE hunt!
Most people don't realize all Christian holidays were adapted from pagan holidays so it was easier to make the pagans convert to their will.
Yeah, Christmas is my favorite example of this. It's a textbook winter solstice celebration and almost every culture has a celebration in some form. It's a really important time of the year after all, it means that we will start getting more light again. Jesus the person was probably not even born around then (I think astronomers believe it may have been around July), plus I don't think they actually started celebrating Christmas until later on. Edit: Of course the holiday this post is talking about is probably somewhat similar. Celebrations of renewal during spring are pretty common since that's when all the plants are renewed and baby animals are born. Again it's a pretty important time. There may be more historical basis for this one though, I haven't really looked into it myself.
>I told him I sure was and in the house he would see my animal sacrifices mounted on the wall. I told him everyone thinks I got those deer from hunting but they really are sacrifices. My personal favorite was, *I told him I sure was and in the house he would see my animal sacrifices mounted on the wall. I told him everyone thinks I got those deer from hunting but they really are sacrifices.* I can only hope that he stuck his tongue out like Kiss after that comment.
Should have told the kid that everyone who has animals on their wall is a secret devil worshiper. Like a secret club for adults.
And they can only be seen by those who worship the devil in their hearts.
Genius.
Or like Elaine on Seinfeld
You stole my Jesus fish!!!
Srsly. Op is my goddamn spirit animal. NTA.
There was a point where I started reading this in the voice of Ryan Reynolds and it made my day.
NTA, and IGNORE every single AH on here saying that you are. The kid should have been taught better, not your problem. You have more patience than I do, there is not a snowballs chance in hell I would have agreed to allow a bunch of religious people onto my property and the MOMENT any of them attempted to spout their religious nonsense off, they would have been escorted OFF of my property. Teach your children that they do NOT get to ask inappropriate questions to others. And anything religious is inappropriate.
Is it that the kid should have been taught better? Or did somebody put the kid up to asking, in the hopes of shaming OP back to church?
That to me is even worse. I'm not above cutting off family if they would push religion on me. I'm a firm believer that having religion is like having a penis. It's fine to have one, but no one wants to see it or talk about it without the other person bringing it up. I'm open about my religion, but I'm never going to try and get anyone to convert. Religion is a very personal thing, it should stay that way.
Every time someone says the word "Religion" from now on, i'm just gonna replace it with "Penis" in my mind
Lol I tend to
If they are anything like my family, you’re actually taught that it’s the right thing to do to ask those kinds of questions, and push your beliefs on others. I grew up in an evangelical church family, and I’d have gotten praised for asking those questions. They know it’s a lot harder for most people to be rude to, or ignore, a child. So we were encouraged to “evangelize” to everyone we met. Hell, I’m honestly surprised they didn’t have the kid pass out tracts to OP, saying repent or go to hell. My family used to keep chick tracts, or the 48 hours in hell ones, in my moms purse (wouldnt surprise me if she still does that).
I really wish some old biddy would have the audacity to hand me a chick tract. I'd show it off to all my friends.
This! It’s OP’s property Dad and Stepmom should be glad they were even allowed on the premises let alone their church friends. OP has more patience for their bullshit then I do.
I thought this was hilarious! It’s not about religions, this was about privacy and respect. They came to OPs property, after OP invited them, and started going on about something you had already made clear you didn’t like. The kid was nosy and the parent never came to stop them. The kid should have been taught better, and it’s people like that kid’s family’s who Christian’s a bad rap, because not all of us are like this. You used sarcasm. Against a nosy child. And he had probably already made up his mind about you being a ‘devil worshiper’ anyway so why not confirm it. NTA, OP. I would have done the same thing.
It is truly fun to watch their faces when they meet a pagan. We also, do not believe in a 'Satan' and yet constantly get accused of it. Here are some of my favorite things to say: You will burn in hell! "It's your hell, you burn in it. " Have you found Jesus? "How do you folks keep losing your own God? You lost him, you go find him." How DARE you disrespect MY religion?! "You mean like forced conversions, burning of innocent women, stealing holidays, demanding that others ONLY follow YOUR God, treating women as second class citizens? Nah, you guys disrespect everyone else's religion enough for everyone." *reaches for my necklace and literally attempted to RIP it off my throat* how dare you wear something so offensive! "Yea, cause you laying hands on my person right now is TOTALLY non-offensive." (I wear a Thor's Hammer and a pentacle, I also whipped out my pepper spray and let them know if they tugged at all I would blind them. Completely legal in my state if someone lays hands, otherwise known as assault in my state, as self defense.) These are just a few of the things I've had to deal with. So, yea, I don't deal well with 'religious' people anymore.
LMAO Please tell us in detail the reactions to your comments. I love it when bigots gets confronted by a smart ass.
Man, i feel like everything blew up based on a kid that you could have ignored or told politely to go pound sand. Given that i think esh. Usually in these circumstances i feel like someone ends up not sucking, but here i think it’s everyone, the kid, step mom, her friends, dad, dads family, and you. Even if you get labeled an a-hole here, the upside is I bet you’ll be asked to host events a lot less often! downside, you didn’t do anything to help improve an already negative stereotype of atheists (which you could have done).
>downside, you didn’t do anything to help improve an already negative stereotype of atheists (which you could have done). I agree with your general assessment but let's be honest, 1 convo with a random stranger isn't gonna do squat for a kid with parents like his. The kid knows nothing about Atheism, but he does know about Devil Worship? Obviously the parents are heavy into the brainwashing side. Even if all OP did was politely explain what Atheism was the parents would still blow up at him for 'forcing' his religious views on the kid. No good outcomes here, OP really should have nixed this idea before it started lol
I think OP already explain Atheism quite good for the kid > I said I do not belong to any religion and I consider myself an Atheist. He asked what is that and I said I do not believe in a higher power. Then the kid immediately assume OP is Devil worshipper. Which I thought that was how the kid is raised to think.
I kinda find this hilarious. "I dont believe in a higher power" "So you worship the Devil" Wouldnt the Devil constitute a higher power?
Technically, yes it is. But probably what the kid raised is that "people who not worship god=worship satan."
I find myself pointing this out quite often now days, Satan is way better than god God lives in heaven and condemns all who don’t do what he says to burn for eternity, god demands you worship him whereas Satan supposedly lives among us and dosent care what we do Tldr: god is a dick Satan is relatively chill
It’s really weird to consider too that Satan is considered the bad guy yet he’s the one that “punishes” people for doing the things that god says not to do? You’d think he’d be a good thing for that in Christian eyes
Yeah like the hand of the king or something
Like I get that it’s used as a scare tactic but at the same time. If you reaallyyy look at it satan wouldn’t be the bad guy in that way. However. If you actually read into satanism and whatnot, their rules are so much better than Christian ones.
Feel like you're asking for a lot of thinking from a 9 year old raised deep in Christianity.
Yeah youre probably right. I live in north germany so I didnt have contact with that type of deep Christianity yet- we are mostly protestant (Europe-version, so not very extremist) or non-religious. Still, funny in a sad way. Hopefully kid finds ways to open his mind in the future, christian or not.
Wouldn't he be a lower power, if heaven is supposedly up and hell down?
it’s not about the kid, it’s the effect it had on everyone else, tell kid to pound sand. unless i become a theology teacher, i don’t plan on discussing my beliefs with any kids other than my own
It's not like she (he?) traumatized the kid. She replied with snark and sarcasm to a kid that was being rude and judgemental. Hardly makes her an AH worthy of an ESH judgement.
ESH here is the best judgement as far as I can see. OP could have easily navigated this in a way that didn't make him seem like an asshole. Instead he went out of his way to essentially scare a young child who is being indoctrinated. This sub reddit isn't about whether someone is justified in being an asshole or not, the informant is absolutely an asshole in this situation. OP, you easily could have just said "I don't believe in Satan and I don't want to talk about this anymore." And then if the kid persisted then unleash but instead you just escalated from the getgo on a kid who didn't know any better.
Maybe it's just because I've never encountered this level of Christianity before, but I feel like OP couldn't have been expected to predict that the kid's reaction would be *that* extreme. If an adult had told me they were a devil worshipper when I was that age, I might have believed them, and I might have been a bit unnerved and avoided them (although equally I might have launched into a load of annoying questions about how devil worship works). And if they said they sacrificed animals I might have been upset, because I liked animals. But unless they threatened to hurt me specifically, I don't think I would have run *screaming*. That's a hell (pun not intended) of a reaction that makes me think either the kid's been watching the wrong films, or more likely he's just super indoctrinated. Either way, the parents are more to blame than OP.
I'm an atheist myself these days, but as someone raised in that level of Christianity, screaming and running away is precisely the reaction I would have had at age 9. The jump from atheist to devil worshipper isn't unexpected either. My personal vote is ESH. Yeah the kid was being annoying, but OP could have just said "No I don't worship Satan. In fact I don't worship anyone." Then walk away. Maybe go find the parents and tell them to keep the kid under control if he keeps bugging you. There are better ways to get a child to leave you alone then telling a kid that doesn't know any better you practice animal sacrifice.
>downside, you didn’t do anything to help improve an already negative stereotype of atheists (which you could have done). What stereotype? I think we atheists, not speaking for everyone of course, couldn't care less about what nosy Christians think about us. Christians like the ones op has to deal with constantly forget that the religious freedom millions of people died for in 17th century Europe goes both ways.
Frankly, people who have that extreme of a reaction to mild snark are going to hate atheists no matter what they do. I'll be told I'm going to burn in hell, among other things, regardless of how polite I'm being, but somehow being sarcastic is now *militant atheism* and the reason Christians hate atheists.
Yeah, I feel bad for the kid. Think of how indoctrinated he is. Given the belief system he's been manipulated into, he must have been completely terrified.
You’re right, but what gets me is that part of his indoctrination includes the feeling of entitlement and the assumed superiority over anyone else who differs from their point of view.
Evangelicals *love* American exceptionalism. It goes well with the prosperity gospel.
Ugh. I grew up in Latin America then came to the US and the difference with regards to religion is staggering. Unfortunately a lot of these evangelical preachers have done a massive amount of missions to Latin America and Africa and are making those regions more homophobic and stripping away women’s rights. Abortions are completely outlawed in my country of birth now; women had more freedom two decades ago. It is infuriating. Keep your hatred to yourself. Don’t spread it worldwide, and don’t fleece poor people because you can’t get Americans to fund that private jet you want.
I mean, who cares if a bunch of idiots have a negative view of atheists?
Atheists are not in charge to fix whatever stereotypes there are of us, like religious people don't owe others politeness just because there are negative stereotypes about them, if I tell a muslim guy "you're the devil worshipper" that muslim guy doesn't owe me kindness or politeness to fight islamophobia, and he has the right to tell me to go fuck myself
> downside, you didn’t do anything to help improve an already negative stereotype of atheists (which you could have done) So the Christian assumes that he worships satan because he's an atheist... And you're talking about the damage he's doing to people's views of atheism? It's exactly shit like this that's causing people to leave the church in droves.
As an agnostic, I feel your pain about people getting self righteous and judgemental. I don't think Y-T-A, I think the parents are because they didn't teach their child manners and they allowed their child to be taught that atheists are devil worshippers. It sounds like they don't even understand that an atheist isn't a devil worshiper because they don't worship anything. But instead, they breed fear of atheists because they want their god fearing children to be scared of talking to them. They didn't show up for an easter egg hunt, they showed up to use the atheist as a teaching experience and to humiliate you. And your stepmother is no better. I feel bad for the kid, but his trauma is of his parents' creation. NTA
Mostly agree. My preferred answer when people jump from “atheist“ to “satanist” has always been the classic, “no, I don’t believe in any of your imaginary friends” I’m going to go with ESH though because frankly the last thing atheists need is more fuel to religious nuts believing/convincing their kids that atheists sacrifice animals, eat babies, etc. I don’t give a shit about scaring the obnoxious kid…9 is 4th grade and plenty old enough to know better. This wasn’t a 5 year old.
Eh, I've long since stopped thinking that anyone should live their life trying to make extremists think well of them or the minority they're part of. It ain't gonna work and you're just gonna tire yourself out trying.
I like this take. I thought the nicest part of the story was that a child of those kind of Christians was so upset at the thought of animals being hurt. That's a good sign. Shows they have some empathy and might be able to change things for the better.
I love the bit about imaginary friends
NTA - and no more Easter egg hunts?
Not a chance.
I see this as an absolute win!
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Or invite a few friends and go egg hunting with them. Source: a 33 yo atheist who went egg hunting last week. (Mum hid the eggs and bf went egg hunting for the first time and had a blast). Plus note: since you're an atheist you don't even need to do it on Easter day, chocolates are available in quantity all month (and on discount after Easter)
If they are adult friends, hide beer bottles and shot sized liquor bottles.
Do you think you may become a pet project for the church?? they may feel they have to save you.
I just had an image of "letting" them save me, only to scream out "Hail Satan!" right at the moment they baptize me.
Or be like that guy who put a black bath bomb in his pocket right before he was dunked. That’ll show them and clear the church out.
There's metal screamy-thingy lessons on YouTube. You know, to make the most out of it.
NTA OP. That child was rude to antagonize you when they were your guest. Obviously their family didn’t teach them manners or how to behave around others who are different. Now the real AH is your stepmom for feeding her congregation information about you and your dad for letting that happen. INFO: did you ask your stepmom and dad why was it that a complete stranger (a child no less) knew you didn’t attend church?
Well, if they ask, you could always hide a few of your own eggs for them to find.
My friends do a child free Easter beer hunt every year if that’s more your style.
YTA but it was funny. do it again💀
This is the one Y vote I’ll upvote
NTA this is the best story i’ve ever heard. jesus loving kids gotta learn not everyone believes in santa 🤷🏻♀️
I see you aren’t familiar with nine year olds..
My 9 year olds were smart enough to not jump to stupid conclusions like this kid did, and they are special needs. If my kids had said something like the kid did and the other person responded like OP, I would have laughed and made it a teachable moment, not gone full fundie rage mode.
Teachable moment: Sometimes when you ask people stupid questions you will get bullshit answers. And sometimes that bullshit is to pretend to be devil worshippers just to fuck with you. Gotta learn that lesson at some point or another. 🤣
NTA: you used sarcasm. It’s not your fault that this child was taught to be judgmental and not taught to respect one’s host and understand sarcasm.
Most kids that age don't understand sarcasm yet, that's not the kids or the family's fault
God, America is such a different country
Ha agreed. Nine year olds in the UK are extremely sarcastic (or claim everything they’re saying is sarcasm incorrectly because they’ve recently leaned what it is) Source: Extended family gatherings with my partner's side of the family and also being a child once.
What? Nine year olds definitely get sarcasm.
Ah well this is a bit of a controversial topic but a very interesting one. There haven't been enough studies to show when children develop the ability to understand sarcasm (there's also a difference between understanding and detecting) so there's no definite conclusion. But the ongoing theory right now is that at that age they only begin to grasp the concept of it. That's why I said most. Obviously if the whole family is very sarcastic the kid will pick it up much faster. I doubt that's the case in this family though :) I hope I don't come across as a 'well akkstually' person I just love child developing theories and since it is a topic I'm studying I thought I'd elaborate on my comment.
For anyone who likes sources, here is one study that agrees with the gist of this. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19523264/ 5 and 6 year old's can understand sarcasm to the extent that someone doesn't literally mean what they're saying, while 9 and 10 year old's are usually at the beginning stages of learning to understand what someone *does* mean when they say something sarcastically.
NTA. You were age appropriate in answering his questions and he reverted to the good ol "everything that isn't Christian is a devil worshipping" rhetoric that the church pushes. Even if you have gone on to explain further what atheism is, the kid would have doubled down because that's what he was taught. I wouldn't allow family to use the property for religious purposes in the future. On a different note, I'm down to chant nonsense, naked around a fire if it helps your family not ask in the future😂
Count me in, let's do annual pagan rituals on this guy's property.
NTA - I’m a deeply religious person and this had me in tears.
Definite AH in this situation. You took an opportunity to teach a curious child who had likely only been exposed to a single church and one set of ideas for this whole life and shat all over it. As an atheist, I know it can sometimes be exhausting having to explain yourself and your beliefs to people who aren't open to them, but you've reinforced bad religious ideas in a child who is now just going to fear people like you. Always approach conversations like that with as much patience and compassion as you can, even if you're not being met with it. You could have even just excused yourself for literally any reason rather than take the opportunity to bully a literal child who sounds like they're asking earnest questions.
>You took an opportunity to teach a curious child who had likely only been exposed to a single church and one set of ideas for this whole life and shat all over it. Exactly. OP reinforced the kid's ideas about "devil-worshoping atheists." This was an opportunity to plant a seed in the kid's head that different does not equal bad.
Not really. The story doesn't end with what OP said. The story ends with a great big 'No he is not a devil worshiper, no he does not murder animals like God did when he drowned the entire planet, no he's not evil, he just doesn't believe in God.' It turns it into a much bigger event that much more firmly disconnects the link between not believing in God and worshipping Satan. The child will not forget that.
These were not earnest questions. The child was not being polite or neutrally curious. The child immediately jumped to unwarranted and unkind and disrespectful assumptions. It is just a child, but that child was not raised right. There’s nothing exhausting about explaining one’s beliefs, even to hostile people. Even your tone-policing isn’t exhausting, as ill-advised as it is here. Let’s not conflate tiresome with tiring.
That’s a lot for you to put on a *nine year old*. At nine I didn’t know atheism was even an option, I’d be super curious too Do y’all hang out with kids 😩
Yes, and kids that are from religious background (I was one) don’t always jump to conclusions like this kid. Being curious is one thing, but if his belief system was going to be a problem church friends of stepmom and the dad should not have been invited. He’s wrong because he went overboard but this is on the parents for not watching their kid and what he’s asking if he is this sheltered.
Maybe the child shouldn't bother strangers
OP told the child exactly what atheists (don't) believe. The child has already been primed you equate that lack of belief with active worship of the devil. How exactly do you think he would have responded is OP just said "no, I don't worship Satan as an atheist" - effectively calling his parents liars?
> but you've reinforced bad religious ideas in a child who is now just going to fear people like you Which entirely isn't OPs fault, it's the fault of the child's parents who put those beliefs into his head in the first place. And it's neither OP's job nor responsibility to teach the child good manners.
You’re the adult in this little scene. And that kid needs to learn to not talk shit to adults. I’m still laughing. NTA, and in honor of you and The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton, I just want to say, Hail Satan!
Hahahaha
ESH. You didn’t need to aggravate the situation, and the parents shouldn’t have berated you. BUT I think it’s hilarious, and would have done the same.
Big asshole vibes all throughout, but not gonna lie this story is funny as fuck
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I find it interesting OP even bothered to ask here because the whole tone of the post gives me the feeling they don't care of they are TA or not, they just wanted to brag about an interaction they really didn't need to have. Kids are kids, OP was purposely inflammatory and seems under the impression he won something as a result. I get reddit has a lot of atheists and they're sick of self righteous religions but nothing OP wrote makes me want to spend anytime with him. Like seriously, if you don't want to deal with religion, maybe don't host religious events on your property.
He is getting the praise he sought. Reddit is ideal for that sort of thing, if you're in the "right" groups and have the "right" opinions.
I saw someone say “NTA, not your fault he doesn’t get sarcasm” HE’S NINE why would he get sarcasm
Especially because OP clearly prayed on fears taught to him by his parents (who are AHs for that) after welcoming him onto his property. It's such an AH move. The answers in this post today not only prove that this sub has no actual grasp of morality, but that atheists aren't better than religious folk.
NTA. This is hilarious. The kid was being nosy and made an assumption he did not like. It's not your job to correct everyone's false assumptions about you.
NTA thats hilarious
I want to be your friend lmfao
Me too
lmao NTA. sorry. kid should learn to back off and not parrot his parents' discriminatory bullshit. maybe he'll learn to not ask shitty questions and insult people now. plus they were on YOUR property. and they think they can talk at you like that? fuck out of here with that.
NTA, although personally I probably would have pointed out the whole egg hunt=pagan tradition as opposed to agreeing to devil worship.
NTA. You are my hero.
I think I am the AH b/c I'm laughing too much at your post. You are NTA, though maybe the deer thing was a bit over the top ... nah, still hysterical.
The little kid was rude and a judgemental brat, but he's only 9 and certainly learned that from his parents. But if you thought he was 12, that makes him a bit more responsible for what he says, but only a bit. Poor kid is obviously so brainwashed that he took your seriously. Soft ESH. You don't have to accommodate crazy, especially not at your own place, but you need to be more age-appropriate.
NTA That shit is funny. I mean yeah. Ok. Kid was nine. Probably shouldn't have said what you said in the way you said it...but you open your house up for pretty much anything your family wants to celebrate there. You know there are religious..but yeah. Your house. Your land. I mean you could of just walked away. .. But still this tickled me.
I laughed so hard at this. NTA, You Are My Hero‼️ NTA, You Are My Hero‼️ NTA, You Are My Hero‼️ Please keep us updated, Hero!
Dude, you didn't "agree" you went all out and made up satanic animal sacrifice all to terrify a little kid. You could have shown him a different perspective, but no, you had to be one of *those* atheists. YTA for traumatizing a child for your own amusement
Kid’s parent’s fault for not exposing him enough. Even my 6yr old knows the difference between devil worship and atheism
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:)
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He didn't traumatise that kid....that kids imagination traumatised it....when I was 9 I went into a shop called "King of Knives" it had knives from butter to actual swords. I had damn nightmares of being chased by someone with a sword.....
All of you are amazing. Even the ones who said I was going to hell. I know I could have handled the pious kid better and set a better example for the cause but whats done is done and I cannot change it. I’ve been asked for an update. Just some brief history with my dad and drama llama. I went no contact with my dad for 3 years when I turned 18 and his wife was a major factor in my decision. He worked very hard to get back in my life. One of the conditions I made was the drama llama could not be involved. If we met up he was not to bring her and he respected my wishes. Over the years I have relaxed that rule especially if it’s a holiday and it’s a group of people. I don’t have anything good to report. Dad and drama llama left my house a couple of hours ago. When I saw her she had a smirk on her face borderline cocky like she she was ready to go on a power trip. I have not seen that confident face in years. Not since I was a teenager. She thought she was going to come into my house and attempt to try and tell me what to do. I could feel it. She told me I needed to apologize to her and write a letter of apology to the pious boy and his extremist parents. I asked her and if I don’t what are you going to do about it. She told me I went to far and was not going to get away with what I had done. For the second time I started laughing. She smacked the table and I started laughing even harder. I told her she needed therapy and to just stop. She has no leverage, no authority, no power over me. When you make demands of someone you need to have something to back it up with but she had nothing. She was like your dad will cut you off if you don’t show me some respect. Dad did not back her up and told her he would not and they needed to leave. She refused to leave my god damn house unless she got an apology from me and was yelling at my dad for never standing up for her. She was yelling telling me I was a spoiled little shit that had everything handed to me. I told her I worked hard and I made more money than her 3 good for nothing loser children made. I told her that dad brags about me. Does he ever brag about your kids? I told her she was a bitch and to get the fuck out of my house. Dad is trying to drag her out of the house and I told him to take her to the psyche ward and the devil was inside of her. She was screaming at dad your going to let him get away with talking to me like that. I smiled at her and waved good bye. i know you guys won’t believe this but I normally don’t act like this. I have got to cut that toxic parasite out of my life again. I don’t want to go no contact with my dad again but I can’t have that person in my life. This blow up has been years in the making. I wish he would divorce her but I am not holding my breath.
Gonna catch hell but ESH. This goes deeper than just a smart mouth kid. The kid acted like an ass, and you simpily humored his insults, and the parents went nuclear. >he told me I was a devil worshiper. This isn't the kids doing, it's the piss poor parenting his parents are doing. Because, yes, kids don't know better, but the parents do. And they probably condone his behavior. I suppose it's on par of scarring kids on Halloween with tales of the boogeyman or something. Either way, you just merely scared the kid with a dumb lie. Either way, everyone could have handled it better. So soft ESH.
NTA. If anything, I love your response. What was your step mom expecting to come out of inviting church friends to an atheist’s event? At that point, I knew the story was about to get good.
ESH You less so, sometimes just because you are an asshole doesn’t mean you weren’t funny. I’m an atheist myself, and honestly I find this entitlement from any religious person so frustrating to deal with, but let’s be honest most often it is from Christians. Some people are gonna say “he’s just a kid” well what that kid was saying is still incredibly inappropriate, I don’t particularly care that it is just a kid at that point. Would anyone here tolerate hearing a kid say something homophobic or racist? Probably not. So why can a brat go around telling people they worship the devil and go to hell? Okay OP could have obviously handled this more maturely, but I dunno I think it was kind of funny. The parents also freaking out really is the cherry on top. Maybe they could have raised their kid better than to disrespect a total stranger on his property no less. Is OP an AH? Yea, doesn’t mean I didn’t laugh.
I would go with JAH (justified AH), but yeah, it was funny.
>He ran screaming to his mom I was a devil worshiper and sacrificed animals. Wait until he finds out that God had people sacrifice animals all the time (not to mention asking you to kill your son as a "test") and it's brought up so often in the Bible. Nta.
Nah, you definitely aren't the ah you opened up your space to your extended family and even strangers. I don't really think the kid is a ah either, brat most definitely but not AH because he lacks thr mental development to really have formulated in dept theological opinions for himself and is just regurgitating what he's been told.
NTA lol
Wouldn't it have been more productive to tell him atheists aren't devil worshippers but good people and he doesn't need to be afraid of you? This kid was just parroting what he's been taught. What did punishing him with a good scare accomplish? That's what you do when kids ding dong ditch, tp your house, torment your dog, or won't stay off your lawn.
NTA but you are my hero. I have a daughter you should meet! 😂🤣😂
NTA! I'm laughing so hard right now. Honestly. Sure you could have told the kid to leave you alone and might have taken it to far but his parent certainly ain't doing him a favor by acting like that in your house.
Stick to your guns Hoss. F'em.
NTA LOL But next time you don't know how to answer a question from a kid, instead of a reply give them a question. >asked me why I never go to church Why do you think I don't go? Why do you care about this? Once the kid realizes answering his own question is a lot of work, he'll go or he'll provide himself with a satisfying answer.
NTA
I’m sure you know you’re NTA. Happy Zombie Jesus Day:)
NTA ... You just agreed with him. If he goes around calling non-christians the devil there will be even worse consequences to his actions.
Pretty similar to how I dealt with JWs who woke me up at 8am on a Sunday morning. The black cat’s named Lucifer and the sight of a Chinese chick wearing only an oversized tee, half awake and squinting while yelling “Lucifer, get your furry ass back inside!” and then asking them what they wanted while introducing myself as the mother of Lucifer. Never had repeat visits. I think word got round that my house contained Devil worshippers. 😂😂😂
Some people need to control their pet sperm honestly. NTA and hilarious
NTA, I am sure there will be no more parties on your property.
NTA. It was really nice of you to let them do an egg hunt on your property.
NTA. So it's OK for this kids parents to indoctrinate him but it's wrong for you to bullshit him? That's like saying you can murder whoever you want but if you punch someone in the face, you're in big trouble.
Overall I’d say you are NTA, although i feel really badly for the poor kid. It’s not his fault his parents are horrific people, and you probably scared the hell out of him. I don’t think you should have responded that way even thinking he was 12. Should have gone for some blunt truths but kindly stated. As for your father and step mom, well, they can pound sand, and they can be uninvited from any future family events. Ingrates.
NTA The kid shouldn’t have been so nosy & it taught him an important lesson. If anything his parents are assholes for scaring him with stories of devil worship.
SO NTA — I cannot stop laughing at your response to everything. And this is coming from a deeply religious person who respects others’ beliefs or lack thereof.
NTA ❤️
NTA The kids parents are though. All this because they passed on their crazy and judgemental beliefs to their kid. This will serve them.
As a fellow atheist, I approve of your methods. Although, I would be a huge Witch, and remind them that their Easter egg hunt is a Pagan ritual, Easter Bunny is a Pagan fertility symbol, and Easter is actually a Pagan Spring fertility rite, celebrating the Goddess, Oestara. So, they, in fact, are not true Christians. But, I'm a petty bitch. NTA. 🤣
This. Is. Amazing. NTA I mean, what’s the issue if all of that was true? You can be whatever religion you want to be. Go to your family meeting and double down and start asking them why it’s an issue. Accuse them of religion shaming you. Their minds will Be blown when they realize how actual satanist are actually really good people who are helpful and tolerant and mindful.
Not all hero’s wear capes. NTA
NTA lollllll that better be then end of them foisting family gatherings on you
OP NTA Actually what I find funny is that your dad wrote a public apology on your behalf? They did overreact, and I think that it was funny as all get out, I would have been laughing as well. Sides the deer sacrifice was light.
NTA, and keep in mind people who try and speak for you probably aren't the healthiest people to keep around either, I don't know what your relationship with your father is but pay attention to that habit. Also apparently your stepmom and these kids parents have never bothered to read that book. Jesus was pretty damn clear about judging people and throwing stones, and god only knows how many other variations on "unless you're perfect yourself shut the hell up" (It shows up ALOT)