Russian parliamentarian advocates for substituting jewelry with religious icons
Posting Warning: This content discusses the use of religious symbols and their impact on children's development. Reader discretion is advised.
Now, let's dive into the world of skulls, skeletons, and zombies on clothing and accessories. Be careful, though, as these symbols are a touchy subject for some, particularly those in Orthodox Christian communities.
In an interview with "Lenta.ru", Mikhail Ivanov, a deputy of the Bryansk Regional Duma and the chairman of the All-Russian Public Movement "Russia Orthodox", warned about the use of these ghoulish symbols, especially in children's items. According to Ivanov, these symbols are too heavy for a child's psyche and could cause fear, anxiety, and even nightmares.
Ivanov argues that Orthodox Christians should aim for a pure mind, avoiding mysticism and unholy imagery. Instead, he encourages using symbols like flowers, birds, icons, or other religious motifs.
Psychologist Rosa Gnedovskaya backs up Ivanov's perspective, saying that scary toys can lead to trauma and may even contribute to future depression in children.
Previously, Ivanov shared that a GOST (Russian standard) for children's toys had been developed in Russia.
In the broader scope, while skulls can symbolize mortality and the hope of resurrection in Christian contexts, their use in popular culture often aligns with secular or even occult themes that might not mesh well with Orthodox Christian values. The psychological and symbolic influence of these symbols could cause children to develop a distorted perception of death and the afterlife, which goes against the core Orthodox teachings emphasizing hope, faith, and love.
So, next time you're eyeing that cool skull-emblazoned t-shirt for your little one, remember that it might be better to opt for something a little more uplifting and in line with the teachings of Orthodox Christianity.
Science indicates that exposure to scary symbols like skulls and zombies on children's clothing can have negative effects on their health-and-wellness, potentially leading to trauma, anxiety, and nightmares as highlighted by psychologist Rosa Gnedovskaya. Furthermore, family-health advocates such as Mikhail Ivanov suggest that parents should consider the impact of such symbols on their children's mental well-being, as they might contradict the positive values instilled by Orthodox Christianity, like hope, faith, and love.
