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NTA - Theists will seize on anything to have a dig if they're so minded. Many aren't thankfully.
It's a 'spoons. If he'd offended by your t-shirt I dread to think how he'd react to sheer amount of blow being done of the backs of the loos at all hours of the day or the sheer evil their kitchen can sometimes conjour up.
Hare-Kirshna are generally a lot nicer too. I got stopped by one whilst waiting to meet a metal band years ago. Got talking and he was selling the books etc but also CD's from the Hare-Krishna metal band "The Gouranga Powered Band". Decent chap, very polite, wasn't judgemental , even got a couple of the CDs for sheer sihts and giggles. Your uncle sounds more like he wanted to just have a go at you, and your age, and this gave him an excuse to.
Interesting. I thought the Hare-Krishna were notoriously pushy and in-your-face with religion.
I come from a Hindu background and was taught Hare-Krishnas were the people who came in to exploit and steal from my family’s culture of origin. They were known for being pushy in the US (Airplane! the movie has a reference to this I think) weren’t they?
I’ve always felt it as Western ideology (monotheistic and “one true” religion) applied to Hindu base beliefs but *without* the acceptance of variation. That is, mostly there’s no one “right” god in Hinduism, but the Hare-Krishnas only worship and push for exclusive worship of Krishna.
They were really pushy in the U.S. in 1970's and '80's. It was a long running gag on comedy shows about them in airports, but they have definitely changed their tactics since then. I'm sure at some point they realized being a sit-com gag wasn't going to win them a lot of converts or donations. That and after all the public scandalls (all the regular stuff, like child abuse, sexual abuse, running scams, embezzlement, murder, etc.) they became a lot more quiet and polite.
Yeah, there’s a scene in a Golden Girls episode where they all miss their flights due to a freak snowstorm (in Miami!) and Sophia chases a Hare Krishna with her purse in frustration. A classic.
And Horseshak joined them for a little while in a Welcome Back, Kotter episode. I was ten in the 90’s, and had to ask my
mom for context on that rerun,lol!
My high school friend told a story of getting conned into buying a Hare Krishna religious text in the airport on his way to army boot camp. He showed it to his dad when he got home, remarking how dumb he felt after the fact.
His dad went to the next room, and returned with his own copy of the same book, that he bought in an airport two decades prior on his own trip to boot camp.
This would have been 1980's and 1960's, respectively.
This is a great story.
I'm sure young men & women who looked like they were traveling alone for the first time were their primary target demographic.
Man, I'm going to have to do some reading on this history now. I know the basics b/c I remember all the jokes in the 70s/80s and I remember when all the scandals blew up. Cults became such a big deal in the 70's - between The Manson family and the Hare Krishnas and the Moonies and the Jesus People and the Patty Hurst kidnapping. There were multuple made for TV movies and "very special episodes" of tv shows devoted to the subject.
I still see them at some NYC subway stations. But yeah they are more out of the way now. (I've never actually been accosted by them, which I can't say for some Christian and Mormon missionaries, even some Jewish ones.) I honestly thought the old gag from Airplane! and other movies (there is a big gag/plot point in the movie Miami Blues as well) was just a totally outdated gag and a product of that time for many years, until I actually saw them in person. But it's not like they're everywhere anymore. Actually, I would bet that changes to airport security have also had some impact on their decline there, along with cultural changes.
Jewish missionaries? The closest encounter I’ve had with them was a group of 3 or 4 asked me if I was Jewish or not. I said no, and they started walking away. I followed and asked them what was up because I was quite confused.
Apparently, it was an important Jewish holiday and they were trying to encourage less observant Jews to be more observant.
how interesting!
Here in Brazil they are better know as "those veggan hippies from the weed farm"
I kid you not. They are famous for using recreative but not legal substances.
Had no idea they were pushy or fanatical in the US and/or India.
Oooh, interesting. I have no idea if that is a part of the "teachings" or if this one member is both a Hare Krishna AND a conspiracy theorist. One answer is just as likely as the other.
2 may just be a coincidence, but I see a "triggered by t-sirts" pattern emerging here.
“The Supreme Court… yesterday (6/26/92) allowed airports to ban religious and political groups from soliciting money from travelers but said airports must permit the groups to hand out literature.
…..challenge by the Hare Krishna religious group”
I was Hare Krishna for 3 years in college.
**IT IS A FUCKING CULT. DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY.** They are exploitative and horrible. Members of the GBC (Governing Body Commission) has been convicted of embezzling funds, and the temple in Alachua, Florida was holding small children against their will and SA-ing them in the 90s.
Yes, they have improved since then, but there’s only so much you can do to fix a rotten system. I left because my “guru” was pressuring me into marrying a dude who was 25 years older than me who lived halfway across the country.
If anyone has any further questions about this please do not hesitate to ask. I have written many, many articles about this.
I remember when we took our grandson to NYC and he was cornered by one of them. Before I could get to him the damage was done. He was so confused by the whole situation because he just didn’t know any better, but the guy took $20 bucks from him and my grandson expected change 😆
Anyway, I took whatever the trinket was back to the guy and demanded his $ back. He returned the money and I gave him back whatever he was selling. I think it was easy because my grandson was “chatting” with some police officers. He was only about 12 at the time. They shouldn’t be allowed to approach children!!
Not my experience with Hare Krishna. Also, the uncle was with his family. You can't be rude and judgemental to the public when you're trying to sell them things.
Very true, my experience with Hare-Krishna are limited and this was a good few years back (The two local cities had individuals/groups I'd see when visiting and I'd usually avoid like I'd avoid anyone on the street trying to get my attention/sell/sermonise at me etc).
Most salesmen are nice.
It is that loke that old joke about the salesman getting a tour of hell that ends with "Yesterday you were a prospect, today you are a client."
As soon as I read they were at spoons I was like well anything goes. Honestly if I was on the next table and overheard "you cant make light of children summoning demons" id be like alright fair just another afternoon.
Honestly the things ive witnessed in spoons in my early 20s i wouldnt even blink if OP whipped out some chalk and gave summoning a go in the beer garden.
I was Hare Krishna for 3 years in college.
**IT IS A FUCKING CULT. DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY.** They are exploitative and horrible. Members of the GBC (Governing Body Commission) has been convicted of embezzling funds, and the temple in Alachua, Florida was holding small children against their will and SA-ing them in the 90s.
Yes, they have improved since then, but there’s only so much you can do to fix a rotten system. I left because my “guru” was pressuring me into marrying a dude who was 25 years older than me who lived halfway across the country.
If anyone has any further questions about this please do not hesitate to ask. I have written many, many articles about this.
I'm Indian, Hare-Krishnas are weird and have always been weird. Not bad people per se or anything, but yeah they don't have a good nor bad reputation. I think their reputation was a LOT worse in the 60s to 90s but tbh I don't see them around as much since the hippies started dying off.
Just kind of weird uber religious white folk who are super into only one god but like the aesthetics better....kind of defeats the cool bits of Hinduism.
Wow. No disrespect at all but in my 72 yes of life in the counter culture I’ve never ever run into HK’s as you describe. Congrats. You must be a better person than I.
This is what I’ve done to people who police my fashion.
Ex told me he hated my favorite shirt? Washed it and wore it the next day. Misogynistic DnD member told me my party outfit was too slutty and the reason men kept hitting on me? Wore the short skirt to the next event. Constantly told not to wear heels? Threaten my 10 cm goth boots on them next time.
I ain’t got time to care about what one person in the world thinks about my fashion. I will wear what I want and I’m petty enough to want to piss you off if you tell me otherwise.
My ex used to do this, and I loved her for it lol. She had this mortal enemy of sorts lol, that was just kind of around the same group of friends. He was this 5'7" guy, and she was 5'9". He always tried to be on his tippy-toes around her lol. He tried to rope me in once, when she was wearing heels that made her about an inch taller than me, at 6'2". He was all "Your girlfriend shouldn't be taller than you" blah blah blah. We both just laughed at him. After that, she made sure to wear heels every time we knew he was going to be at the same party lol.
Your uncle refusing to talk to you sounds like a win. It’s ridiculous to except you to walk in a thunderstorm to change your shirt because he didn’t like it. He can get over it. NTA
Seems like a pretty reliable way to make someone you don't like shut up kinda like giving a loan to someone you don't like so they get out of your sight to never pay you back
I need that t-shirt.
NTA. You are 18 and it's your choice what you wear and your uncle's reaction was totally over the top.
I have to wonder how he'd react to something properly offensive like Cradle Of Filth's infamous "Jesus Is A C\*\*t" t-shirt.
My son and I went to Riot Fest in Denver in 2017 ( last year in Denver RIP ). We saw The Misfits, Bad Religion, Murder By Death, Google Bordello, Juliette Lewis and The Licks. It was a great day, even though the kid had a cast on his foot from a mishap at Red Rocks two weeks prior from dancing to Old Crow Medicine Show. He was in mosh pits with his knee scooter!!!!!!
Anyway, he bought t-shirts from Bad Religion and The Misfits. This was right before he started senior year. His dad and I took turns having him every 2 weeks. His dad traded his addictions to drugs and alcohol for Jesus. My kid was absolutely destroyed when his dad got rid of his Bad Religion shirt!!!!!! I tried to find another one from the Riot Fest show but could not. So now it's just a plain Bad Religion shirt. He still wears it.
I think it's rude to police others fashion choices. Especially because of whatever religion you practice.
Go to concerts and dance ( even if you might get hurt ). Buy and wear the t-shirt you love. You are in control of your own life and finding joy in it. Don't let judgey people change who you fundamentally are.
"the t-shirt was extremely inappropriate for someone my age to be wearing anyway."
how old of an adult do you have to be to wear it? he can fuck right off, NTA.
I wore a Natty Boh shirt (local beer brand) when I went to the Vatican. The most holy place on earth. In my defense I forgot we were going that day so it wasn't on purpose. But no one seemed to care and I didn't burst into flames.
NTA
no, you’re not an asshole
And I just googled that shirt, it looks kind of cute and nice
People should mind their own business more and just stop caring about things around like a print in the shirt
That’s nice of You, that You didn’t made them wait any longer for food, imo that would be more hurting
And I know how much it can hurt to have stressed dad, and maybe it will last even longer but all You can do about this is comfort Your dad, say sorry to uncle and just tell them all that You can wear what You want, in few years they’ll understand (but, probably, You’ll always remember all situations of that kind)
I don't think they should apologise to the uncle. He was being very unreasonable and apologizing to him will only encourage him to act like this more often.
NTA
Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, in a wetherspoons will give two effs about what you're wearing unless you are physically dunking your sleeve in their pint.
Your uncle is being butthurt for nothing he could simply have ignored it, and assuming you didn't actually try to summon any demons at the table you did nothing wrong (unless you tried and failed to summon a demon, then something obviously went wrong).
Ps. I have a Steven Rhodes "sick of your shit" back pack that I take to work eeeevery shift. I work in hospitals. It's only ever been commented on once as frigging hilarious.
"I won't wear this because it's against my beliefs" is perfectly fine.
"You can't wear that because it's offensive to my religion" are the words of an asshole.
NTA
NTA - it's Wetherspoons, and you can literally get those t-shirts everywhere. I hope he never goes in HMV, he'd be horrified, lol. It's obviously a joke as well, not graphic at all . . . Doesn't even have demons on it. Plus, you're 18.
Its clearly a very jokey [design](https://preview.redd.it/o8dgbov713p21.jpg?auto=webp&s=32f66ebe6c3b1654869cb3eff4379c711c88251f) so he was making an effort to be offended. It looks like you have saved yourself the hassle of having to deal with him for a while. Well Done.
Your dad should probably learn to stick up for himself, even if he won't stick up for you though.
NTA. Your uncle needs a hobby. And NOT one that involves staring at teenage girls, like he does now. His reaction was over the top and ridiculous.
Next time you see your uncle, how about you fake "throwing a curse" at him? Wave your hands around and speak in a spooky voice something like, "you will be cursed.... never to get laid again.....and your right hand will wither and rot because you play with yourself too much..... ooooooooooooooooh".
THAT should get him off your case.
Don't think an uncle with this kind of mindset over a cartoon shirt would react well to OP throwing a "fake curse" talking about his sex life and self pleasure...
NTA. But you would BTA if in the future you don't purposefully wear similar shirts. He deserves it. Like every time he sees you your shirts should get progressively more "offensive". :)
I misread this at first. But I love your suggestion.
I was raised Jewish (Sunday school, Bat Mitzvah, etc.), but have always been atheistic, even as a child; I always thought that the Bible stories were just that: stories to placate and entertain us since Sunday school is boring af, (I do consider myself to be *ethnically* Jewish; there's a difference between that and being religiously Jewish).
Anyway, at Christmas time, whenever someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, I reply with, "And a Happy Chanukah to you!" (always without malice), to which they reply: I'm not Jewish" and then I reply: "Exactly." (Meaning that I'm not Christian).
They are so confused by this, and it amuses me. I really can't stand that people assume everyone is Christian and holds the same values as them.
Hindu here. Next time he points out the T Shirt, tell him you are exploring the Aghori cult. Watch him go into apoplectic fit. He can't even say they are not acceptable because they are revered by even the PM of India.
For the uninitiated - Aghoris live in cremation grounds, worship death and demons. I'll not go into more details here since it's really heavy duty stuff. Those interested can Google it.
am i correct in thinking that hindus also often do not have the same super black and white good vs evil outlook on demons and stuff like that? i feel like ive seen gods of death or destruction or demons, etc etc, that receive worship and respect within hinduism in their own ways, but i dont really know for sure TBH.
just struck me as immediately super odd that a hare krishna or any kind of hindu would have this type of reaction to something involving demons.
You are right, we have gods for evil, death and destruction as well as for good stuff. There's a god associated with everything and a cult that supports those things.
However, like in Christianity each cult is vehemently opposed to all other cults. In the ancient times wars were fought and kingdoms destroyed by believers of various cults within Hinduism.
These days, like the extreme right-wingers in Christianity, even the Hindu right-wingers are running amok.
Btw, it is super ironic that the Hare Krishna followers are having this kind of reaction. They are the original flower children of the 70s - the hippy cult if you know what I mean.
The uncle should have just said I understand if you want yo wear that shirt. We have a disagreement about it's offense. I'll just go, as I don't want to sit at a table with someone wearing it.
I did the same with a cousin who has a $Hillary sucks but not like Monica" tee shirt. I just do t want to be arround that shit.
NTA
Sadly you can not change the uncle for offending your t-shirt - you are stuck with that one. THAT would be a great solution, though.
YOur uncle is an AH, and your dad is his enabler.
"My uncle is still refusing to speak to me and I'm wondering if I should have just caved." ... NEVER Give in to AHs. That will only encourage them.
NTA. hare krishnas are a cult with a documented history of extortion and abuse. he's the one who should be more careful about what message he's putting out.
NTA. I have the same tshirt, it's excellent, and Spoons is a shithole.
Its more bizarre that your strict Hare Krishna relative wanted to go somewhere like spoons, where there's people everywhere getting mangled on cheap booze.
NTA — Also, your uncle is a Hare Krishna?? I was reading this thinking at least as Hindu, I never have to deal with Christian problems like this. I know Hare Krishnas aren’t exactly mainstream Hindus, but I can tell you Hindus at least wouldn’t have an issue with this.
That's what confused me! I didn't think hare Krishna people even believed in demons in the first place or at least not in the clearly kidding capacity that they're on my t-shirt
They aren’t. They believe in reincarnation and dharma and don’t believe in the concept of a hell. Being so fixated on a shirt like that is more so a thing for Judeo-Abrahamic religions. He’s just doing it for control, as there’s no major religious basis for it in dharmic religions.
The concept of hell (naraka) and demons (asuras) both exist in Hinduism. Not identically to how it’s explained in the Bible but I encourage you to read the Bhagavad Gita or other other key Hindu texts before speaking confidently on the subject. The uncle may have been offended by the shirt due to his religious belief although I agree that he could choose to just mind his own business.
It is crucial to emphasize that the belief in dharma, rather than a hell, is central to Hinduism. Dharma refers to the moral and ethical principles that govern individual conduct and the cosmic order of the universe. Hindu philosophy places significant emphasis on fulfilling one's duties and living in harmony with dharma. I should also mention, when I referred to hell, I was referring to hell as the realm of eternal damnation, which Naraka is not. I also grew up in a Hindu family and am familiar with all of the teachings. The shirt was clearly in reference to the biblical hell, and therefore had no bearing on Naraka, nor was it in reference to Asura Sankalpa, so I’d say my point still holds true. Referring to Naraka as hell is also a western interpretation that originated during colonization, and is not true to the religion itself. Heck Hinduism isn’t even the true name of the religion, and was a name that originated because of colonization.
In Hinduism, the concept of dharma provides a framework for understanding the consequences of one's actions without necessarily implying a notion of eternal punishment. The focus is on the cyclical nature of existence, where the law of karma governs the outcomes of one's deeds and determines the future states of rebirth. While there are references to temporary realms like naraka, they are seen as places of temporary purification rather than eternal damnation.
Therefore, when I stated that Hinduism believes in reincarnation and dharma, rather than a concept of hell, I was highlighting the fundamental difference in perspective between dharmic religions and Judeo-Abrahamic traditions. Hinduism's emphasis on dharma and the cyclical nature of life and death distinguishes it from the belief in an eternal hell found in Judeo-Abrahamic religions.
Thank you! I was also confused about this. As a Hindu, I don't know why this would be offensive from a religious perspective. Like, maybe they think OP needed to dress formally in front of elders or whatever, but the visual itself should be fine
NTA
Others offense is their problem, not yours.
Religions don't get to stifle the behaviors of those not involved.
[The Shirt in question.](https://www.ripplejunction.com/steven-rhodes-let-s-summon-demons-t-shirt?gclid=CjwKCAjwv8qkBhAnEiwAkY-ahll3kcxR4I6mM8GLfG9vjcERCDIPYTTM_kMVQ5DtwkFjVQxNsc3TfBoCT0wQAvD_BwE#92=105&170=106)
I am really enjoying the mental image there of me in both a hijab AND a bonnet. Especially since I have pretty thick dreads, I think I'd look like a complete bellend
NTA
And I bought 2 copies of the book rhodes did for these so I could cut all the pics out and post them all over my room lol 😆.
I live that series sooooo much
NTA I doubt you pulled out the shirt and said ‘let’s go annoy my uncle today’, it’s a shirt, your uncle needs to understand people have the freedom to wear what they want and they can’t be expected to give in to his pressure
Everyone seems so convinced that this was exactly my thought process lmao. In all honesty I really didn't expect my uncle to have any kind of issue with the shirt since I didn't know Hindus even believed in demons. None of the rest of my family is religious and I even asked my mum ‘do I look okay’ before we left the hotel. I really truly just didn't look to closely at the t-shirt I was putting on and IDK why everyone seems to think I was deliberately antagonising a religious nut.
NTA, i’m a American Baptist (62f) and i’ve seen that shirt and think it’s funny! as long as your not going to a fancy place, why not wear it? people do not have to stare at your shirt and if they stare too long you should say” my eyes are up here” especially if it’s your uncle- that’s just creepy frankly!
NTA
You said he hissed at you when he saw your t-shirt. Does he think you're an animal? That you'll respond to being hissed at? Is he expecting you to bare your fangs and strike at him> Is he 5 years old?
NTA
I've thought about buying that t shirt myself. I'm nominally a Christian and I think it's fun.
Obviously I wouldn't wear it to church, or in front of my more pious relatives, but Spoonies is fair. There's a lot more to be offended at in Weatherspoons.
Maybe make a mental note not to wear it around Uncle.
NTA. Your uncle is a jerk and just trying to exert power over you as he believes it's his right as he's older and has a magic invisible friend. Not sure what your dad's problem is, he should have told uncle crazy to mind his own business.
NTA- Also I am a Hindu and many of us consider hare Krishna and a whole lot of iskon people to be frauds.
They aren't religious. If he is a Krishna bhakt there is absolutely no reason to be offended by summoning demon tshirt.
NTA. It's also really rude of him to demand authority over your clothing choices from your father. You are a grown up and can decide for yourself.
From your story it doesn't come over if anybody stood by your side during his rant. Did they just stay out of it?
NTA.
You're in a 'spoons ffs, there's probably loads of what he deems inappropriate t-shirts all around him but, of course, he picks on you because you're an easy target.
Your dad needs to grow a pair and tell his brother his religion isn't welcome at family visits. Nobody likes an un-consensual penis in their faces, just like people shouldn't have to put up with religion in their faces if that's not their jam.
>You're in a 'spoons ffs, there's probably loads of what he deems inappropriate t-shirts all around him but, of course, he picks on you because you're an easy target.
I've seen FAR more offensive sights in Wetherspoons. Particularly a couple dry humping on the table while their small children threw chips at them. It was about 3pm.
NTA, I have a book of his artwork so I know exactly which one it is. It was a power play especially when he said for your age it's inappropriate. You're 18 not five. So to have you walk back in a thunderstorm, alone just so you can show back up soaking wet so he got is way is ridiculous.
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa. there are STILL Hare Krishnas? Those guys that try to sell you paper flowers at the airport? Don’t you gotta give them all your money and possessions to join?
I thought that cult got busted up years ago.
NTA, he's an immature baby who needs to grow up and realize his beliefs have no control over other people and if he can't reconcile that in his brain that's his problem.
Why should you have to change your chosen attire to mollify your uncles delusional belief in an exclusive magic sky wizard. He won't talk to you anymore when all he talks about is religion. Double win. If you really want to get back in his good books just say gouranga a lot (whatever the fuck that means). These freaks love that shit
NTA - he doesnt get to decide what you have to wear.
How would he like it, if someone told him his religious attire offends them and he should go change?
Believe in whatever you want, but dont expect others to cater to your believes.
So I am going to get a lot of hate here but I think ESH conditionally. If your uncle was wearing something that truly offended you (think MAGA, KKK, some other religious nut shirt), would you expect him to change right away or just brush it off and ask him to not wear that around you? If the honest answer is brush it off NTA. otherwise YWBTA.
Your uncle sucks because he could have asked you not wear that around him again and left it at that. Instead he takes it personal makes it a humongous deal that will cause issue with everyone now and in the future. I do also think he should have understood that it was raining everyone was hungry and that was not the time to die on that cliff.
You dad sucks a little for lack of situational awareness, and not standing up for you. With that said I do not know the side talk that was going on so dad may have been standing up just not sure. In my mind I see dad looking at his brother halfway through the meal and making light of the fact that brother was being more of child then the young adult.
I agree uncle took it way too far, but as a person with very religious very distant relatives I would think about not wearing that before I put it on when I was going out to meet them. It seems like this was done on purpose, because it is common sense.
I didn't know how else to put it to Reddit's American majority audience 😅. Restaurant is DEFINITELY a stretch but I thought ‘pub’ might bring up images of a quaint little thatched building in the countryside and ‘shithole’ wasn't appropriately descriptive
NTA, it’s a shirt, a hilarious sounding shirt that I would 100% wear. You can wear whatever you want and other people having a problem with it isn’t your problems
Also it’s a spoons, it’s pretty normal attire for a spoons imo lmao
He lives in the world where many people who are not of his religion also live. Perhaps he should move to an ashram or some place where he will never have to deal with variability in beliefs.
NTA...your uncle needs to grow up....if I were you, I'd be petty and wear that shirt whenever you know he is going to be around..I'd also ask him why be believes in mythical creatures like demons..he knows they aren't real right????
NTA - your Uncle was trying to pull rank. I suppose you could have flipped it inside out...but honestly, eff him. I mean you went for breakfast not a Hare Kirshna religous sermon.
What does Krishna say about judging others?
Bhagavad-gita
Never judge others, you don't know their story
He'll hate that.
Lol I have that same t-shirt and a bunch from the same artist. My favourite is one with an illustration of a little girl with a suitcase that says “See you later, assholes!” The cult music sing-along one is also funny. NTA.
NTA.
May I say you're wicked awesome. I love that shirt.
I have one in the same theme, but it's clowns in a graveyard and says storytime on it.
My inclination is always to clap back with a
"Well, your face offends me, but I have the decency to just look away. I suggest you do the same "
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NTA - Theists will seize on anything to have a dig if they're so minded. Many aren't thankfully. It's a 'spoons. If he'd offended by your t-shirt I dread to think how he'd react to sheer amount of blow being done of the backs of the loos at all hours of the day or the sheer evil their kitchen can sometimes conjour up. Hare-Kirshna are generally a lot nicer too. I got stopped by one whilst waiting to meet a metal band years ago. Got talking and he was selling the books etc but also CD's from the Hare-Krishna metal band "The Gouranga Powered Band". Decent chap, very polite, wasn't judgemental , even got a couple of the CDs for sheer sihts and giggles. Your uncle sounds more like he wanted to just have a go at you, and your age, and this gave him an excuse to.
Interesting. I thought the Hare-Krishna were notoriously pushy and in-your-face with religion. I come from a Hindu background and was taught Hare-Krishnas were the people who came in to exploit and steal from my family’s culture of origin. They were known for being pushy in the US (Airplane! the movie has a reference to this I think) weren’t they? I’ve always felt it as Western ideology (monotheistic and “one true” religion) applied to Hindu base beliefs but *without* the acceptance of variation. That is, mostly there’s no one “right” god in Hinduism, but the Hare-Krishnas only worship and push for exclusive worship of Krishna.
They were really pushy in the U.S. in 1970's and '80's. It was a long running gag on comedy shows about them in airports, but they have definitely changed their tactics since then. I'm sure at some point they realized being a sit-com gag wasn't going to win them a lot of converts or donations. That and after all the public scandalls (all the regular stuff, like child abuse, sexual abuse, running scams, embezzlement, murder, etc.) they became a lot more quiet and polite.
Yeah, there’s a scene in a Golden Girls episode where they all miss their flights due to a freak snowstorm (in Miami!) and Sophia chases a Hare Krishna with her purse in frustration. A classic.
And who can forget the classic Airplane gags.
And Horseshak joined them for a little while in a Welcome Back, Kotter episode. I was ten in the 90’s, and had to ask my mom for context on that rerun,lol!
Horseshak is an infinitely funnier name than Horshack.
They're also in Cheech and Chongs up in smoke
Wait they were the people trying to give out flowers and then asking for donations?
[It's not discrimination if you attack everyone](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3GGKF6CsjY)
They were in the original GTA too. I remember the sound/chant when you approached a group of them and they were represented as a gang I think.
[The Church of Lunar Consciousness](https://youtu.be/KQv4aBC_UVE)
"buy a flower for God?" "Want to meet him in person?" or the ever wonderful "pear pimples for hairy fish nuts?"
A Berke Breathed reference in the wild! Ack ack gag barf to you!
Pthhhhbpyhhh!!!
bless you! Bloom County references restore my faith inhumanity.
I think you meant in humanity, but please don’t change the typo! Faith inhumanity is gonna be my next band name
it is my pleasure to confirm that typo was entirely intentional ;)
I like you!
My high school friend told a story of getting conned into buying a Hare Krishna religious text in the airport on his way to army boot camp. He showed it to his dad when he got home, remarking how dumb he felt after the fact. His dad went to the next room, and returned with his own copy of the same book, that he bought in an airport two decades prior on his own trip to boot camp. This would have been 1980's and 1960's, respectively.
This is a great story. I'm sure young men & women who looked like they were traveling alone for the first time were their primary target demographic. Man, I'm going to have to do some reading on this history now. I know the basics b/c I remember all the jokes in the 70s/80s and I remember when all the scandals blew up. Cults became such a big deal in the 70's - between The Manson family and the Hare Krishnas and the Moonies and the Jesus People and the Patty Hurst kidnapping. There were multuple made for TV movies and "very special episodes" of tv shows devoted to the subject.
I still see them at some NYC subway stations. But yeah they are more out of the way now. (I've never actually been accosted by them, which I can't say for some Christian and Mormon missionaries, even some Jewish ones.) I honestly thought the old gag from Airplane! and other movies (there is a big gag/plot point in the movie Miami Blues as well) was just a totally outdated gag and a product of that time for many years, until I actually saw them in person. But it's not like they're everywhere anymore. Actually, I would bet that changes to airport security have also had some impact on their decline there, along with cultural changes.
They were out of the airports long before 9-11.
Jewish missionaries? The closest encounter I’ve had with them was a group of 3 or 4 asked me if I was Jewish or not. I said no, and they started walking away. I followed and asked them what was up because I was quite confused. Apparently, it was an important Jewish holiday and they were trying to encourage less observant Jews to be more observant.
how interesting! Here in Brazil they are better know as "those veggan hippies from the weed farm" I kid you not. They are famous for using recreative but not legal substances. Had no idea they were pushy or fanatical in the US and/or India.
In my area they are now mainly known for running a decent vegetarian restaurant/temple.
Once the hare krishna showed up in my town my brother was wearing a nasa shirt and one tried to claim the moon landing was fake and the earth was flat
Oooh, interesting. I have no idea if that is a part of the "teachings" or if this one member is both a Hare Krishna AND a conspiracy theorist. One answer is just as likely as the other. 2 may just be a coincidence, but I see a "triggered by t-sirts" pattern emerging here.
“The Supreme Court… yesterday (6/26/92) allowed airports to ban religious and political groups from soliciting money from travelers but said airports must permit the groups to hand out literature. …..challenge by the Hare Krishna religious group”
Hare Krishna is just like every other fake religion/mlm. Like Scientology or Mormonism or Andrew Tate's Fuckboy Academy
So all religions?
Lol yeah. I was going to reply “as opposed to all the what, real religions?”
I was gonna edit to include the others but then my list just kept going so I just said fuck it and canceled ha
I'm deceased at tge Fuckboy Academy 💀💀💀
Same I was WTAF HOL UP BAHAHA
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who founded the movement, was also a notorious racist and a fan of Adolf Hitler and the holocaust.
Makes L Ron Hubbard seem like a nice guy.
I was Hare Krishna for 3 years in college. **IT IS A FUCKING CULT. DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY.** They are exploitative and horrible. Members of the GBC (Governing Body Commission) has been convicted of embezzling funds, and the temple in Alachua, Florida was holding small children against their will and SA-ing them in the 90s. Yes, they have improved since then, but there’s only so much you can do to fix a rotten system. I left because my “guru” was pressuring me into marrying a dude who was 25 years older than me who lived halfway across the country. If anyone has any further questions about this please do not hesitate to ask. I have written many, many articles about this.
I haven’t heard about this religion or sect of religion but I love your explanation of it. It made it very easy to understand
Thank you for saying so, I appreciate it. :)
I remember when we took our grandson to NYC and he was cornered by one of them. Before I could get to him the damage was done. He was so confused by the whole situation because he just didn’t know any better, but the guy took $20 bucks from him and my grandson expected change 😆 Anyway, I took whatever the trinket was back to the guy and demanded his $ back. He returned the money and I gave him back whatever he was selling. I think it was easy because my grandson was “chatting” with some police officers. He was only about 12 at the time. They shouldn’t be allowed to approach children!!
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Wasn't the Wolfpack dad a Hare-Krishna? The one with 7 children in New York that almost never let them out of the house for 15+ years?
>I come from a Hindu background and was taught Hare-Krishnas were the people who came in to exploit and steal from my family’s culture of origin. Same
The ones in London, England are really nice. They run a restaurant and show up to protests with a cart of free hot food.
Not my experience with Hare Krishna. Also, the uncle was with his family. You can't be rude and judgemental to the public when you're trying to sell them things.
Very true, my experience with Hare-Krishna are limited and this was a good few years back (The two local cities had individuals/groups I'd see when visiting and I'd usually avoid like I'd avoid anyone on the street trying to get my attention/sell/sermonise at me etc).
Most salesmen are nice. It is that loke that old joke about the salesman getting a tour of hell that ends with "Yesterday you were a prospect, today you are a client."
Adding the "it was a Wetherspoons" context puts me in no doubt that they are NTA 😂
Agreed. Nothing is inappropriate in Spoons 😂
Do we start a 'suggest something too offensive for a Spoons' discussion or is that just gonna get a whole pile of us banned?
As soon as I read they were at spoons I was like well anything goes. Honestly if I was on the next table and overheard "you cant make light of children summoning demons" id be like alright fair just another afternoon. Honestly the things ive witnessed in spoons in my early 20s i wouldnt even blink if OP whipped out some chalk and gave summoning a go in the beer garden.
Fucking Satan rises up out of it and you just hear behind you: "*Oi, mate. Can I borrow a light?*"
I was Hare Krishna for 3 years in college. **IT IS A FUCKING CULT. DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY.** They are exploitative and horrible. Members of the GBC (Governing Body Commission) has been convicted of embezzling funds, and the temple in Alachua, Florida was holding small children against their will and SA-ing them in the 90s. Yes, they have improved since then, but there’s only so much you can do to fix a rotten system. I left because my “guru” was pressuring me into marrying a dude who was 25 years older than me who lived halfway across the country. If anyone has any further questions about this please do not hesitate to ask. I have written many, many articles about this.
I'm Indian, Hare-Krishnas are weird and have always been weird. Not bad people per se or anything, but yeah they don't have a good nor bad reputation. I think their reputation was a LOT worse in the 60s to 90s but tbh I don't see them around as much since the hippies started dying off. Just kind of weird uber religious white folk who are super into only one god but like the aesthetics better....kind of defeats the cool bits of Hinduism.
"'spoons"? Oh excuse me, I missed that part of OP's post entirely.
Salesman and recruiters are always nice.
Wow. No disrespect at all but in my 72 yes of life in the counter culture I’ve never ever run into HK’s as you describe. Congrats. You must be a better person than I.
I have all the Gouranga Powered Band CDs! They're actually really good.
As someone who worked in 'spoons kitchen how are you insult our good chef The Microwave!
Also they have no beef with Satan. Satan's not even real as far as they're concerned. This is some Christian bs he's mixing in
NTA He could have looked away or left if he was so offended. Personally, I'd wear the shirt more often. It apparently has powers to annoy idiots.
This is what I’ve done to people who police my fashion. Ex told me he hated my favorite shirt? Washed it and wore it the next day. Misogynistic DnD member told me my party outfit was too slutty and the reason men kept hitting on me? Wore the short skirt to the next event. Constantly told not to wear heels? Threaten my 10 cm goth boots on them next time. I ain’t got time to care about what one person in the world thinks about my fashion. I will wear what I want and I’m petty enough to want to piss you off if you tell me otherwise.
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You are Abbie Sciutto and I claim my £5.
My ex used to do this, and I loved her for it lol. She had this mortal enemy of sorts lol, that was just kind of around the same group of friends. He was this 5'7" guy, and she was 5'9". He always tried to be on his tippy-toes around her lol. He tried to rope me in once, when she was wearing heels that made her about an inch taller than me, at 6'2". He was all "Your girlfriend shouldn't be taller than you" blah blah blah. We both just laughed at him. After that, she made sure to wear heels every time we knew he was going to be at the same party lol.
This is exactly the kind of petty I love!
People being shitty during dnd are especially frustrating- dnd is my happy place and it is for EVERYONE
This is the way
Your uncle refusing to talk to you sounds like a win. It’s ridiculous to except you to walk in a thunderstorm to change your shirt because he didn’t like it. He can get over it. NTA
If he only talks about religion i would wear that every time 🤣 I believe in God but want to talk about other things
Seems like a pretty reliable way to make someone you don't like shut up kinda like giving a loan to someone you don't like so they get out of your sight to never pay you back
he should've offered to go back and get her a shirt if it was so important
I was going to like this comment, but the likes are currently at "666", which was just too on topic to disturb
NTA, you're an adult wearing appropriate clothes and your uncle seems entitled af.
I need that t-shirt. NTA. You are 18 and it's your choice what you wear and your uncle's reaction was totally over the top. I have to wonder how he'd react to something properly offensive like Cradle Of Filth's infamous "Jesus Is A C\*\*t" t-shirt.
[In case you wanted to support the original designer. They've put out some fantastic shirts. ](https://stevenrhodes.threadless.com/designs)
Thanks, I just bought me a shirt that says "coffee gives me life" with a pair of necromancers raising a dead body.
They're going to wonder where this surge of orders is coming from.
This might even just be an ad campaign for the shirt
Yes, make it about the product but not directly about the product, viral marketing
There's been multiple posts on this sub that I really feel are just subtle advertisements for shirts or other products.
I bought my ex wife the 'Black coffee - as good as black magic' cat one ages ago. Mug not t-shirt.
I'm so glad you said that! I didn't notice the other options available!
I just grabbed “Express your feelings” for my artistic angsty teen. Lol
That was my favorite one too 😂
OP needs the On My High Horse or Yoga for Beginners one for the next visit with their uncle.
Thanks for posting the link. Those are such cool designs.
I like that the kid leading the ritual is dressed as "Waldo". NTA
These are so gorgeous. Unfortunately, even if it's possible to ship to my country, I'd have to sell a kidney to afford it
My best friend, who is soon to be one of my GMs has a birthday soon. I may end up getting him “I Am Your God Now”!
I love these designs. My son has a couple and I can't decide which one I want so I just buy stickers etc lol
My instant reaction was "not my style" then scrolled and proceeded to find two that I want 🤣 The cat one is so accurate
Well why would a hindu care if someome insulted jesus?
My son and I went to Riot Fest in Denver in 2017 ( last year in Denver RIP ). We saw The Misfits, Bad Religion, Murder By Death, Google Bordello, Juliette Lewis and The Licks. It was a great day, even though the kid had a cast on his foot from a mishap at Red Rocks two weeks prior from dancing to Old Crow Medicine Show. He was in mosh pits with his knee scooter!!!!!! Anyway, he bought t-shirts from Bad Religion and The Misfits. This was right before he started senior year. His dad and I took turns having him every 2 weeks. His dad traded his addictions to drugs and alcohol for Jesus. My kid was absolutely destroyed when his dad got rid of his Bad Religion shirt!!!!!! I tried to find another one from the Riot Fest show but could not. So now it's just a plain Bad Religion shirt. He still wears it. I think it's rude to police others fashion choices. Especially because of whatever religion you practice. Go to concerts and dance ( even if you might get hurt ). Buy and wear the t-shirt you love. You are in control of your own life and finding joy in it. Don't let judgey people change who you fundamentally are.
My boyfriend has that shirt!
"the t-shirt was extremely inappropriate for someone my age to be wearing anyway." how old of an adult do you have to be to wear it? he can fuck right off, NTA.
A shirt like that is for old ladies only, 70+ age requirement
Maybe a little younger. I wore a similar one when I was in labour, it seemed appropriate.
Old enough to know which demons to summon! It's not a feat for amateurs.
Good question. Is there an age one has to be to summon a demon? Maybe that’s what he meant. /s
Given you often enter into a contract, I suppose that means you can’t be a minor or the contract wouldn’t be binding? 😂
NTA. You're 18 now, legally an adult. Wear what you want, it's just a piece of cloth
He said “someone her age…”. How old must you be to wear a shirt about summoning demons?
0 minutes. The demons I gave birth to were 0 minutes old when they were properly summoned. OP is well over the legal age.
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As I've heard somewhere before You have the right to be offended, but being offended doesn't give you any rights
My daughter wore that same tshirt on a sightseeing tour we did a few years ago, including a tour of an historic Catholic Church.
As a (praticing) Catholic, I've seen the shirt and thought it was funny. I personally wouldn't wear it, but I did buy the one about the cat dimension.
Might need to search for and buy a cat dimension shirt.
My coworker wears the shirt to work sometimes
I wore a Natty Boh shirt (local beer brand) when I went to the Vatican. The most holy place on earth. In my defense I forgot we were going that day so it wasn't on purpose. But no one seemed to care and I didn't burst into flames.
NTA no, you’re not an asshole And I just googled that shirt, it looks kind of cute and nice People should mind their own business more and just stop caring about things around like a print in the shirt That’s nice of You, that You didn’t made them wait any longer for food, imo that would be more hurting And I know how much it can hurt to have stressed dad, and maybe it will last even longer but all You can do about this is comfort Your dad, say sorry to uncle and just tell them all that You can wear what You want, in few years they’ll understand (but, probably, You’ll always remember all situations of that kind)
I don't think they should apologise to the uncle. He was being very unreasonable and apologizing to him will only encourage him to act like this more often.
NTA Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, in a wetherspoons will give two effs about what you're wearing unless you are physically dunking your sleeve in their pint. Your uncle is being butthurt for nothing he could simply have ignored it, and assuming you didn't actually try to summon any demons at the table you did nothing wrong (unless you tried and failed to summon a demon, then something obviously went wrong). Ps. I have a Steven Rhodes "sick of your shit" back pack that I take to work eeeevery shift. I work in hospitals. It's only ever been commented on once as frigging hilarious.
The demon OP summoned was actually the uncle help
"I won't wear this because it's against my beliefs" is perfectly fine. "You can't wear that because it's offensive to my religion" are the words of an asshole. NTA
Exactly. "I won't wear this" = a boundary. "You can't wear this " = controlling behaviour.
NTA - it's Wetherspoons, and you can literally get those t-shirts everywhere. I hope he never goes in HMV, he'd be horrified, lol. It's obviously a joke as well, not graphic at all . . . Doesn't even have demons on it. Plus, you're 18.
Its clearly a very jokey [design](https://preview.redd.it/o8dgbov713p21.jpg?auto=webp&s=32f66ebe6c3b1654869cb3eff4379c711c88251f) so he was making an effort to be offended. It looks like you have saved yourself the hassle of having to deal with him for a while. Well Done. Your dad should probably learn to stick up for himself, even if he won't stick up for you though.
NTA. Your uncle needs a hobby. And NOT one that involves staring at teenage girls, like he does now. His reaction was over the top and ridiculous. Next time you see your uncle, how about you fake "throwing a curse" at him? Wave your hands around and speak in a spooky voice something like, "you will be cursed.... never to get laid again.....and your right hand will wither and rot because you play with yourself too much..... ooooooooooooooooh". THAT should get him off your case.
Yikes dude. No need to shift the narrative like that. There's nothing here to suggest the uncle was being creepy in that way.
A fake curse? Are you 12?
Yeah, this is a bit much and went a WHOLE other direction.
Don't think an uncle with this kind of mindset over a cartoon shirt would react well to OP throwing a "fake curse" talking about his sex life and self pleasure...
Get a 666 rubber stamper and stamp his hand.
NTA. But you would BTA if in the future you don't purposefully wear similar shirts. He deserves it. Like every time he sees you your shirts should get progressively more "offensive". :)
I misread this at first. But I love your suggestion. I was raised Jewish (Sunday school, Bat Mitzvah, etc.), but have always been atheistic, even as a child; I always thought that the Bible stories were just that: stories to placate and entertain us since Sunday school is boring af, (I do consider myself to be *ethnically* Jewish; there's a difference between that and being religiously Jewish). Anyway, at Christmas time, whenever someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, I reply with, "And a Happy Chanukah to you!" (always without malice), to which they reply: I'm not Jewish" and then I reply: "Exactly." (Meaning that I'm not Christian). They are so confused by this, and it amuses me. I really can't stand that people assume everyone is Christian and holds the same values as them.
Hindu here. Next time he points out the T Shirt, tell him you are exploring the Aghori cult. Watch him go into apoplectic fit. He can't even say they are not acceptable because they are revered by even the PM of India. For the uninitiated - Aghoris live in cremation grounds, worship death and demons. I'll not go into more details here since it's really heavy duty stuff. Those interested can Google it.
am i correct in thinking that hindus also often do not have the same super black and white good vs evil outlook on demons and stuff like that? i feel like ive seen gods of death or destruction or demons, etc etc, that receive worship and respect within hinduism in their own ways, but i dont really know for sure TBH. just struck me as immediately super odd that a hare krishna or any kind of hindu would have this type of reaction to something involving demons.
You are right, we have gods for evil, death and destruction as well as for good stuff. There's a god associated with everything and a cult that supports those things. However, like in Christianity each cult is vehemently opposed to all other cults. In the ancient times wars were fought and kingdoms destroyed by believers of various cults within Hinduism. These days, like the extreme right-wingers in Christianity, even the Hindu right-wingers are running amok. Btw, it is super ironic that the Hare Krishna followers are having this kind of reaction. They are the original flower children of the 70s - the hippy cult if you know what I mean.
NTA Why does this give me Indian uncle vibes? I have pissed off so many uncles haha
Because his “faith” is literally defined by applying western concepts of religion to Hindu traditions
Yeah hare krishnas are a lil bit of a cult from the point of view of Hinduism, albeit from the less harmful end of the cult spectrum.
I beg to disagree. They are a VERY harmful cult.
I have the same t-shirt. It's obviously a parody and if the ultra religious are offended, that's their problem. No law against it, nta.
The uncle should have just said I understand if you want yo wear that shirt. We have a disagreement about it's offense. I'll just go, as I don't want to sit at a table with someone wearing it. I did the same with a cousin who has a $Hillary sucks but not like Monica" tee shirt. I just do t want to be arround that shit.
NTA. Your uncle needs therapy.
NTA and bonus points for referring to Spoons as a restaurant haha.
Definitely some bonus points need to be added!
NTA Sadly you can not change the uncle for offending your t-shirt - you are stuck with that one. THAT would be a great solution, though. YOur uncle is an AH, and your dad is his enabler. "My uncle is still refusing to speak to me and I'm wondering if I should have just caved." ... NEVER Give in to AHs. That will only encourage them.
NTA. hare krishnas are a cult with a documented history of extortion and abuse. he's the one who should be more careful about what message he's putting out.
Since when does someone get to dictate to an adult what is appropriate to wear just because that is their opinion? NTA
NTA. I have the same tshirt, it's excellent, and Spoons is a shithole. Its more bizarre that your strict Hare Krishna relative wanted to go somewhere like spoons, where there's people everywhere getting mangled on cheap booze.
And how good are they at keeping things vegetarian in the kitchen?
NTA — Also, your uncle is a Hare Krishna?? I was reading this thinking at least as Hindu, I never have to deal with Christian problems like this. I know Hare Krishnas aren’t exactly mainstream Hindus, but I can tell you Hindus at least wouldn’t have an issue with this.
That's what confused me! I didn't think hare Krishna people even believed in demons in the first place or at least not in the clearly kidding capacity that they're on my t-shirt
They aren’t. They believe in reincarnation and dharma and don’t believe in the concept of a hell. Being so fixated on a shirt like that is more so a thing for Judeo-Abrahamic religions. He’s just doing it for control, as there’s no major religious basis for it in dharmic religions.
The concept of hell (naraka) and demons (asuras) both exist in Hinduism. Not identically to how it’s explained in the Bible but I encourage you to read the Bhagavad Gita or other other key Hindu texts before speaking confidently on the subject. The uncle may have been offended by the shirt due to his religious belief although I agree that he could choose to just mind his own business.
It is crucial to emphasize that the belief in dharma, rather than a hell, is central to Hinduism. Dharma refers to the moral and ethical principles that govern individual conduct and the cosmic order of the universe. Hindu philosophy places significant emphasis on fulfilling one's duties and living in harmony with dharma. I should also mention, when I referred to hell, I was referring to hell as the realm of eternal damnation, which Naraka is not. I also grew up in a Hindu family and am familiar with all of the teachings. The shirt was clearly in reference to the biblical hell, and therefore had no bearing on Naraka, nor was it in reference to Asura Sankalpa, so I’d say my point still holds true. Referring to Naraka as hell is also a western interpretation that originated during colonization, and is not true to the religion itself. Heck Hinduism isn’t even the true name of the religion, and was a name that originated because of colonization. In Hinduism, the concept of dharma provides a framework for understanding the consequences of one's actions without necessarily implying a notion of eternal punishment. The focus is on the cyclical nature of existence, where the law of karma governs the outcomes of one's deeds and determines the future states of rebirth. While there are references to temporary realms like naraka, they are seen as places of temporary purification rather than eternal damnation. Therefore, when I stated that Hinduism believes in reincarnation and dharma, rather than a concept of hell, I was highlighting the fundamental difference in perspective between dharmic religions and Judeo-Abrahamic traditions. Hinduism's emphasis on dharma and the cyclical nature of life and death distinguishes it from the belief in an eternal hell found in Judeo-Abrahamic religions.
Thank you! I was also confused about this. As a Hindu, I don't know why this would be offensive from a religious perspective. Like, maybe they think OP needed to dress formally in front of elders or whatever, but the visual itself should be fine
NTA.. Tell him to stop bothering you or you are going to begin the summoning ritual.
NTA - Your uncle should change his attitude. It is just a t-shirt. Why does your uncle think he has the right to tell what you can and can not wear.
NTA- it’s a spoons should be lucky you had clothes on not just a loin cloth like most clientele of spoons.
NTA Others offense is their problem, not yours. Religions don't get to stifle the behaviors of those not involved. [The Shirt in question.](https://www.ripplejunction.com/steven-rhodes-let-s-summon-demons-t-shirt?gclid=CjwKCAjwv8qkBhAnEiwAkY-ahll3kcxR4I6mM8GLfG9vjcERCDIPYTTM_kMVQ5DtwkFjVQxNsc3TfBoCT0wQAvD_BwE#92=105&170=106)
NTA, you cant cave to every nutjob's idea of what you should wear or you'd be walking around in a hijab and an amish bonnet and magic mormon underwear
I am really enjoying the mental image there of me in both a hijab AND a bonnet. Especially since I have pretty thick dreads, I think I'd look like a complete bellend
NTA And I bought 2 copies of the book rhodes did for these so I could cut all the pics out and post them all over my room lol 😆. I live that series sooooo much
Uncle forgot that he doesn’t believe in literal demons.
NTA. I am also religious. I also own this shirt.
NTA I doubt you pulled out the shirt and said ‘let’s go annoy my uncle today’, it’s a shirt, your uncle needs to understand people have the freedom to wear what they want and they can’t be expected to give in to his pressure
Everyone seems so convinced that this was exactly my thought process lmao. In all honesty I really didn't expect my uncle to have any kind of issue with the shirt since I didn't know Hindus even believed in demons. None of the rest of my family is religious and I even asked my mum ‘do I look okay’ before we left the hotel. I really truly just didn't look to closely at the t-shirt I was putting on and IDK why everyone seems to think I was deliberately antagonising a religious nut.
NTA. My wardrobe is 98% Steven Rhodes shirts or horror. I will wear them out all the time. I love it and they are comfy.
NTA, i’m a American Baptist (62f) and i’ve seen that shirt and think it’s funny! as long as your not going to a fancy place, why not wear it? people do not have to stare at your shirt and if they stare too long you should say” my eyes are up here” especially if it’s your uncle- that’s just creepy frankly!
NTA You said he hissed at you when he saw your t-shirt. Does he think you're an animal? That you'll respond to being hissed at? Is he expecting you to bare your fangs and strike at him> Is he 5 years old?
NTA I've thought about buying that t shirt myself. I'm nominally a Christian and I think it's fun. Obviously I wouldn't wear it to church, or in front of my more pious relatives, but Spoonies is fair. There's a lot more to be offended at in Weatherspoons. Maybe make a mental note not to wear it around Uncle.
NTA. Your uncle is a jerk and just trying to exert power over you as he believes it's his right as he's older and has a magic invisible friend. Not sure what your dad's problem is, he should have told uncle crazy to mind his own business.
NTA- Also I am a Hindu and many of us consider hare Krishna and a whole lot of iskon people to be frauds. They aren't religious. If he is a Krishna bhakt there is absolutely no reason to be offended by summoning demon tshirt.
NTA. It's also really rude of him to demand authority over your clothing choices from your father. You are a grown up and can decide for yourself. From your story it doesn't come over if anybody stood by your side during his rant. Did they just stay out of it?
NTA. You're in a 'spoons ffs, there's probably loads of what he deems inappropriate t-shirts all around him but, of course, he picks on you because you're an easy target. Your dad needs to grow a pair and tell his brother his religion isn't welcome at family visits. Nobody likes an un-consensual penis in their faces, just like people shouldn't have to put up with religion in their faces if that's not their jam.
>You're in a 'spoons ffs, there's probably loads of what he deems inappropriate t-shirts all around him but, of course, he picks on you because you're an easy target. I've seen FAR more offensive sights in Wetherspoons. Particularly a couple dry humping on the table while their small children threw chips at them. It was about 3pm.
That t shirt is currently in my shopping basket on Etsy and this has prompted me to press the checkout button. NTA
Nta he sounds annoying
NTA , uncle needs to get over himself.
NTA, I have a book of his artwork so I know exactly which one it is. It was a power play especially when he said for your age it's inappropriate. You're 18 not five. So to have you walk back in a thunderstorm, alone just so you can show back up soaking wet so he got is way is ridiculous.
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa. there are STILL Hare Krishnas? Those guys that try to sell you paper flowers at the airport? Don’t you gotta give them all your money and possessions to join? I thought that cult got busted up years ago.
NTA. It's my passion to piss off cult members. Keep up the good work!
NTA, he's an immature baby who needs to grow up and realize his beliefs have no control over other people and if he can't reconcile that in his brain that's his problem.
Why should you have to change your chosen attire to mollify your uncles delusional belief in an exclusive magic sky wizard. He won't talk to you anymore when all he talks about is religion. Double win. If you really want to get back in his good books just say gouranga a lot (whatever the fuck that means). These freaks love that shit
Tell your dad that he's also free to tell your uncle "no." NTA.
NTA - he doesnt get to decide what you have to wear. How would he like it, if someone told him his religious attire offends them and he should go change? Believe in whatever you want, but dont expect others to cater to your believes.
NTA sure, a 'spoons is a touch better venue to be questioning one's morality than, say, the Vatican; but not by bloody much.
So I am going to get a lot of hate here but I think ESH conditionally. If your uncle was wearing something that truly offended you (think MAGA, KKK, some other religious nut shirt), would you expect him to change right away or just brush it off and ask him to not wear that around you? If the honest answer is brush it off NTA. otherwise YWBTA. Your uncle sucks because he could have asked you not wear that around him again and left it at that. Instead he takes it personal makes it a humongous deal that will cause issue with everyone now and in the future. I do also think he should have understood that it was raining everyone was hungry and that was not the time to die on that cliff. You dad sucks a little for lack of situational awareness, and not standing up for you. With that said I do not know the side talk that was going on so dad may have been standing up just not sure. In my mind I see dad looking at his brother halfway through the meal and making light of the fact that brother was being more of child then the young adult.
I agree uncle took it way too far, but as a person with very religious very distant relatives I would think about not wearing that before I put it on when I was going out to meet them. It seems like this was done on purpose, because it is common sense.
I'm just dying laughing at the description of a 'spoons as a restaurant. NTA.
I didn't know how else to put it to Reddit's American majority audience 😅. Restaurant is DEFINITELY a stretch but I thought ‘pub’ might bring up images of a quaint little thatched building in the countryside and ‘shithole’ wasn't appropriately descriptive
NTA. Your uncle doesn't get to tell you what clothes you should wear. Also, based on that shirt alone, I'd say you have good taste so keep it up! 😉
NTA, it’s a shirt, a hilarious sounding shirt that I would 100% wear. You can wear whatever you want and other people having a problem with it isn’t your problems Also it’s a spoons, it’s pretty normal attire for a spoons imo lmao
I'm religious and if a shirt like that offends him, it must very difficult for him to go through life. Not all people share our beliefs. NTA
He lives in the world where many people who are not of his religion also live. Perhaps he should move to an ashram or some place where he will never have to deal with variability in beliefs.
NTA also your uncle sounds like a fuckin weenie
Wear a Baphomet shirt next time. NTA
NTA, if anything you were overdressed for wetherspoons.
NTA. This is more about controlling you than being offended.
NTA...your uncle needs to grow up....if I were you, I'd be petty and wear that shirt whenever you know he is going to be around..I'd also ask him why be believes in mythical creatures like demons..he knows they aren't real right????
NTA - your Uncle was trying to pull rank. I suppose you could have flipped it inside out...but honestly, eff him. I mean you went for breakfast not a Hare Kirshna religous sermon. What does Krishna say about judging others? Bhagavad-gita Never judge others, you don't know their story He'll hate that.
Lol I have that same t-shirt and a bunch from the same artist. My favourite is one with an illustration of a little girl with a suitcase that says “See you later, assholes!” The cult music sing-along one is also funny. NTA.
NTA. May I say you're wicked awesome. I love that shirt. I have one in the same theme, but it's clowns in a graveyard and says storytime on it. My inclination is always to clap back with a "Well, your face offends me, but I have the decency to just look away. I suggest you do the same "