Popular Post webfact Posted June 11 Popular Post Share Posted June 11 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 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe 1 1 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tropicalevo Posted June 11 Popular Post Share Posted June 11 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? 2 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianthainess Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 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. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post hotchilli Posted June 11 Popular Post Share Posted June 11 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.... 1 1 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Regyai Posted June 11 Popular Post Share Posted June 11 Young boys and the Catholic church having their hair interfered with should be the least of their worries 1 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ukrules Posted June 11 Popular Post Share Posted June 11 (edited) Is it just me, the angle of the photo or does one of those kids have an unusually flat head? Second from the left..... Edited June 11 by ukrules 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusyB Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 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'. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
novacova Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post FritsSikkink Posted June 11 Popular Post Share Posted June 11 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. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post brianthainess Posted June 11 Popular Post Share Posted June 11 Will they be taught how to make beer ? 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreasyFingers Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 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. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post roo860 Posted June 11 Popular Post Share Posted June 11 (edited) 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.😉 Edited June 11 by roo860 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luuk Chaai Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianthainess Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 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 ............. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusyB Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 (edited) 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. Edited June 12 by BusyB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketboy2 Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 Bonkers religion, at it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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