An unexpected online drama erupted after pictures of young boys with Catholic monk haircuts were circulated in Ratchaburi province. The incident led to questions about whether the children were willing participants or coerced.

 

The photographs, shared on Facebook by the Esor News 3 page on Friday, June 7, showed boys in school uniforms with a distinctive tonsure haircut: shaved heads with a ring of hair left around the crown. The haircuts were part of an annual celebration at Saint Anthony Church Donmottanoi in Ratchaburi, emulating the traditional style of Catholic monks.

 

Public reactions were swift, with many netizens questioning the church's methods and asking if the boys had genuinely consented to the haircuts. Calls for a clear explanation from church officials soon followed, pressuring them to respond.

 

In response, the official Facebook page of St. Anthony Church Donmottanoi clarified that the boys had voluntarily agreed to the haircuts and were even compensated for their participation in the ceremony.

 

The church explained that the tonsure reflected the hairstyle of Saint Anthony of Padua, their patron saint, aiming to enrich the spiritual and cultural significance of the event. 

 

Church officials also emphasized that the boys' parents had given their consent, acknowledging that Catholic traditions might seem peculiar to the predominantly Buddhist local community. They expressed a willingness to share their practices to foster better interfaith understanding.

 

Despite the church's reassurances, negative comments continued to flood social media. A barber bluntly stated, "Even though I am a barber, I can't accept this hairstyle," while another commenter remarked, "If they were my children, I would move them to a new school."

 

The lively debate underlines the deep cultural differences and sensitivities that persist in Thailand, showcasing the challenges of interfaith dialogue and cultural exchange.

 

Picture via Facebook/ วัดนักบุญอันตน ดอนมดตะนอย (ST.Anthony Church Donmottanoi)

 

-- 2024-06-11

 

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43 minutes ago, webfact said:

In response, the official Facebook page of St. Anthony Church Donmottanoi clarified that the boys had voluntarily agreed to the haircuts and were even compensated for their participation in the ceremony.

 

43 minutes ago, webfact said:

Church officials also emphasized that the boys' parents had given their consent,

So what business is it of social media vultures?

35 minutes ago, webfact said:

In response, the official Facebook page of St. Anthony Church Donmottanoi clarified that the boys had voluntarily agreed to the haircuts and were even compensated for their participation in the ceremony.

I suppose it's to much to ask HOW were they compensated. 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The haircuts were part of an annual celebration at Saint Anthony Church Donmottanoi in Ratchaburi, emulating the traditional style of Catholic monks.

Just another form of indoctrination.... 

Young boys and the Catholic church

 

having their hair interfered with should be the least of their worries

Is it just me, the angle of the photo or does one of those kids have an unusually flat head?

 

Second from the left.....

 

How does a 12 year old 'volunteer' under that kind of social pressure?

 

Disgraceful.

 

Interesting is that the 'church' didn't apparently state what the tonsure is supposed to represent which at least would have made ecclesiastical sense of this idiocy. Perhaps it got lost in translation so we get the usual stock Buddhist phraseology of 'enriching the spiritual experience'.

Good grief! Drama ensues over such a superficial minor thing about a hair style. Poor adults, irreparably traumatized, such a shame…though the kids will carry on as normal. 

12 minutes ago, novacova said:

though the kids will carry on as normal. 

You think so? I doubt it, they will be the laughingstock of the rest of the neighborhood's kids.

Will they be taught how to make beer ?

3 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

You think so? I doubt it, they will be the laughingstock of the rest of the neighborhood's kids.

In my day that was normal for Catholic kids.

5 hours ago, ukrules said:

Is it just me, the angle of the photo or does one of those kids have an unusually flat head?

 

Second from the left.....

Been kneeling down too much in front of the monk probably.😉

15 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Just another form of indoctrination.... 

 

or in scientific terms   (555)

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia

men in formation for the priesthood were given the tonsure early in their formation, theories are that it symbolized obedience and detachment

14 hours ago, roo860 said:

19 hours ago, ukrules said:

Is it just me, the angle of the photo or does one of those kids have an unusually flat head?

 

Second from the left.....

Been kneeling down too much in front of the monk probably.😉

Edited 14 hours ago by roo860

Gives the monk something to rest his beer on while .............

7 hours ago, Luuk Chaai said:

 

or in scientific terms   (555)

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia

men in formation for the priesthood were given the tonsure early in their formation, theories are that it symbolized obedience and detachment

 

It represented Jesus' crown of thorns. And yes of course it's a form of oppression. I'm sure the kids were thrilled.

Bonkers religion,  at it again.