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18YO Hurt About Church Not Honoring Her At Graduation, Elder Sister Realizes There’s Hidden Agenda
Graduating students in caps and gowns, one posing for a photo, others in background, reflecting the homeschooling graduation tradition.

YOU WONT BELIEVE: Church tradition graduates moms - What They Never Told You

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Religion isn’t just a way to show praise to a higher power; it’s often a source of community for people. That’s why folks come together to celebrate their faith, but they might start feeling bad if their religious institution doesn’t show them the same love in return.

That’s what happened to a young woman who was gutted when her church stopped their annual tradition of honoring graduates and instead chose to celebrate homeschooled folks. This decision was met with widespread anger, and folks soon realized the truth.

More info: Reddit

RELATED:

    When religious institutions secretly try to push an agenda, some of its followers might start rebelling against it

    Image credits: freepik / Magnific (not the actual photo)

    The poster’s 18-year-old sister was disappointed because their church had forgone their tradition of honoring graduates and instead was going to celebrate homeschooling moms

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    Image credits: The Yuri Arcurs Collection / Magnific (not the actual photo)

    Since the homeschooling program was advertised by the church, the poster felt that was why they changed the tradition, and her parents decided to write a scathing email about it

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    Image credits: seventyfour / Magnific (not the actual photo)

    Since many folks besides the poster and her parents wrote emails to the church, they tried to correct their system by asking graduates to send in their photos to be displayed

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    Image credits: freepik / Magnific (not the actual photo)

    The poster realized that her church might be celebrating the homeschooling program since it was faith-based, and they were intentionally slighting “secular” graduates

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    Image credits:

    The angry poster decided to take action against her church by informing folks about their actions, emailing local school districts, and possibly talking to the local news

    The poster shared that when she was young, her church honored her and other graduates and gave them gifts. This tradition had been going on for a long time, and people often looked forward to many students being celebrated in this way, but it seems that this year they were not going to do that.

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    The reason why many religious institutions often pay their respects to graduates is that it can foster a sense of community and well-being. Church-goers also explain that when young students are celebrated for their achievements and brought together, it’s an opportunity for their faith to grow and for elders to guide their path.

    When the poster’s sister found out the tradition wouldn’t happen this year, she was very disappointed. Instead, the family learned that the church would honor the moms of homeschooled kids, as well as some of the children. That’s why the parents decided to email one of the religious leaders and rally other folks who felt the same outrage.

    In situations where people might have an issue with what their church is doing, pastors explain that it’s better to figure out if you can solve those concerns yourself. If it’s truly a big problem, you can bring it to anyone in the fellowship so they can address the issue and find a solution.

    Image credits: 21graph / Magnific (not the actual photo)

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    The poster felt that her church needed to honor all graduates because she knew it was a wonderful system that fostered a sense of community among folks. It also brought together kids from many different schools so they could represent their educational institutions and celebrate their achievements.

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    Unfortunately, even though the woman, her parents, and several other members of the community emailed the church about the change in its tradition, the church’s decision remained the same. They tried to make things right by asking graduates to send in their photos, which could then be displayed on a big screen.

    In certain cases, religious institutions might make decisions for their parishioners that might anger or displease the folks. That’s when professionals explain that people need to take a stand and do what they feel is right, rather than giving in to someone else’s version of the truth.

    That’s exactly what the poster and her family did when they realized that their church seemed to be pushing the faith-based homeschooling program onto the community. So they rallied against it along with other folks, and the OP decided to post about it, send emails to school districts, and possibly even contact the local news.

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    What do you think is the best way for the people in this story to deal with their church’s sudden change in tradition? We’d love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

    Folks were glad that the poster had taken issue with her religious institution’s sneaky agenda

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    Poll Question

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    Beverly Noronha

    Beverly Noronha

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    You can call me Bev! I'm a world-class reader, a quirky writer, and a gardener who paints. If you’re looking for information about tattoos, Bulbasaur, and books, then I'm the NPC you must approach.

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    Beverly Noronha

    Beverly Noronha

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    You can call me Bev! I'm a world-class reader, a quirky writer, and a gardener who paints. If you’re looking for information about tattoos, Bulbasaur, and books, then I'm the NPC you must approach.

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

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    I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

    Read less »

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

    What do you think ?
    Kate Johnson
    Community Member
    Premium
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Another great example of how most of what passes for Christianity is nothing but a self congratulatory social club that encouraged exclusion, division and bigotry.

    Tabitha
    Community Member
    17 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don’t forget affairs, assaults, and worse. What do you want to bet one of the homeschool moms caught the eye or ear of the pastor or one of the elders, and THAT is why the public school graduates were snubbed in favor of the homeschool moms—-notice it just said homeschool MOMS, and not homeschool GRADUATES. Ignoring every single 17 or 18 year old (and probably older for the homeschooled “kids”) who managed to meet all the requirements to graduate from high school. BTW, almost every parent I have ever known who “homeschooled” their kids, mostly because they just didn’t like the local school system, have been the most stupid people who barely graduated high school—-and since most of them never left their home towns, the school system they hate so much is the same one that struggled to graduate them! I have just though of another question: What about COLLEGE graduates? Were they ever honored? Or would the church prefer to keep its congregation as ignorant as possible, and show extreme prejudice against those who not only graduate high school but also college? IF homeschooling is to continue, it should be highly regulated. NO parents without qualifications should be homeschooling their children. Here’s an idea: Online classrooms catering to homeschooling that are the ONLY way those kids can get diplomas—-and making the parents PAY to have those schools teach their children, the schools can refuse to pass a kid to the next grade if they’re flunking out. You know, like colleges, which you pay to attend, aren’t required by law to allow a flunking student to advance toward graduation until they repeat and pass the class, no matter how many attempts they have to make to do so. Bet yiu anything that will make FREE public school look so much better than homeschooling to even the most ignorant and indoctrinated parents.

    Load More Replies...
    FreeTheUnicorn
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Encourage your family to find a new church whose values aligns more closely with theirs.. the email was a good idea, but OP underestimated how intentional the slight and the praise were.dont keep going to a church that doesn't share your values

    Lily bloom
    Community Member
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You lost me when your "church" treated any one higher than any other for any dissimilarity at all. F any God that isn't all loving PERIOD . stop

    Load More Comments
    Kate Johnson
    Community Member
    Premium
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Another great example of how most of what passes for Christianity is nothing but a self congratulatory social club that encouraged exclusion, division and bigotry.

    Tabitha
    Community Member
    17 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don’t forget affairs, assaults, and worse. What do you want to bet one of the homeschool moms caught the eye or ear of the pastor or one of the elders, and THAT is why the public school graduates were snubbed in favor of the homeschool moms—-notice it just said homeschool MOMS, and not homeschool GRADUATES. Ignoring every single 17 or 18 year old (and probably older for the homeschooled “kids”) who managed to meet all the requirements to graduate from high school. BTW, almost every parent I have ever known who “homeschooled” their kids, mostly because they just didn’t like the local school system, have been the most stupid people who barely graduated high school—-and since most of them never left their home towns, the school system they hate so much is the same one that struggled to graduate them! I have just though of another question: What about COLLEGE graduates? Were they ever honored? Or would the church prefer to keep its congregation as ignorant as possible, and show extreme prejudice against those who not only graduate high school but also college? IF homeschooling is to continue, it should be highly regulated. NO parents without qualifications should be homeschooling their children. Here’s an idea: Online classrooms catering to homeschooling that are the ONLY way those kids can get diplomas—-and making the parents PAY to have those schools teach their children, the schools can refuse to pass a kid to the next grade if they’re flunking out. You know, like colleges, which you pay to attend, aren’t required by law to allow a flunking student to advance toward graduation until they repeat and pass the class, no matter how many attempts they have to make to do so. Bet yiu anything that will make FREE public school look so much better than homeschooling to even the most ignorant and indoctrinated parents.

    Load More Replies...
    FreeTheUnicorn
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Encourage your family to find a new church whose values aligns more closely with theirs.. the email was a good idea, but OP underestimated how intentional the slight and the praise were.dont keep going to a church that doesn't share your values

    ADVERTISEMENT
    Lily bloom
    Community Member
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You lost me when your "church" treated any one higher than any other for any dissimilarity at all. F any God that isn't all loving PERIOD . stop

    Load More Comments
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