This Christian Mom Hates Stuart Little: Here’S Why
Stuart Little, the iconic children’s book character brought to life in film, is a mouse adopted by a human family. While his story promotes themes of belonging and acceptance, some find the premise decidedly unbiblical.
If you’ve wondered why this famous mouse stirs up anger among Christian mothers, read on.
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: This Christian mom hates Stuart Little because his cross-species adoption goes against her belief that animals and humans should remain separate according to the Bible.
Cross-Species Adoption
Cross-species adoption is a topic that has garnered both praise and controversy. It involves the adoption of animals by humans, blurring the lines between different species. One such example is the Little family’s adoption of Stuart, a small mouse, in the beloved children’s book “Stuart Little” by E.B.
White.
The Little Family Adopts Stuart
In the story, the Little family decides to adopt Stuart after he is born to a mouse couple in New York City. Despite his small size and being a different species, Stuart quickly becomes an integral part of the family. He is given his own room, clothes, and even a small car to drive around the city.
The idea of cross-species adoption may seem heartwarming and endearing, but it raises some important questions about the boundaries between humans and animals.
Mice and Humans Should Not Mix
While the concept of cross-species adoption may be appealing in fiction, in reality, mice and humans should not mix in such a way. Mice are wild animals, and their natural habitats are quite different from human homes.
They have specific dietary and environmental needs that cannot be met in a human household.
Additionally, mice are known carriers of diseases and can pose health risks to humans. By adopting a mouse like Stuart, the Little family is welcoming potential health hazards into their home.
Separation of Animals and Humans
There is a reason why humans and animals are kept separate in most situations. It is essential for the well-being and safety of both parties. Animals thrive in their natural habitats, while humans have created their own environments suited to their specific needs.
While it is important to care for and respect animals, cross-species adoption blurs the boundaries between humans and animals. It can lead to unrealistic expectations and potential harm to both parties involved.
It is crucial to understand the importance of maintaining the separation between humans and animals for the benefit of everyone involved.
Anthropomorphism of Stuart
One of the main reasons this Christian mom dislikes Stuart Little is due to the anthropomorphism of the character. Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics, behaviors, or emotions to non-human entities.
In the case of Stuart Little, this is seen through his ability to act and think like a human.
Stuart Acts Human
Stuart Little, despite being a mouse, exhibits human-like qualities throughout the story. He walks on two legs, wears clothes, speaks fluently, and even drives a miniature car. While this may seem charming to some, it raises concerns for those who believe in the distinctiveness of human beings as created by God.
Wearing Clothes and Speaking
The fact that Stuart Little wears clothes and speaks like a human blurs the line between humans and animals. This goes against the biblical teachings that highlight the unique nature of humans being made in the image of God.
It can be argued that by anthropomorphizing Stuart, it diminishes the significance of what it truly means to be human.
Mice Are Not Equal to Humans Biblically
From a biblical perspective, humans hold a special place in God’s creation. In the book of Genesis, it is stated that humans were created in the image of God, giving them a higher status than animals. This distinction is important to many Christians, as it emphasizes the inherent worth and value of human life.
For further reading on this topic, you can visit gotquestions.org to explore different perspectives on anthropomorphism and its implications.
Stuart Little Promotes Interfaith Acceptance
Stuart Celebrates Christmas and Hanukkah
One of the reasons why Stuart Little is seen as promoting interfaith acceptance is because the lovable mouse celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah in the story. This inclusion of multiple religious traditions is a reflection of the growing diversity in our society.
By featuring both holidays, Stuart Little emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting different faiths and their respective celebrations.
Christianity Forbids Religious Syncretism
However, some Christian parents may argue that Stuart Little’s promotion of interfaith acceptance goes against their religious beliefs. Christianity, like many other religions, forbids religious syncretism, which is the blending of different religious beliefs and practices.
According to this perspective, celebrating both Christmas and Hanukkah together may be seen as compromising the purity of one’s faith.
It is important to note that while Christianity discourages religious syncretism, it also encourages love, tolerance, and understanding towards people of other faiths. Christians are called to respect and engage in meaningful dialogue with individuals from different religious backgrounds, even if they may not agree on theological matters.
Jesus As The Only Path to God
Another point of contention for some Christian parents is the belief that Jesus Christ is the only path to God. In Christianity, Jesus is considered the Savior and the one through whom believers can have a relationship with God.
Some may argue that the inclusion of other religious traditions in Stuart Little’s story may send a confusing message to children about the exclusivity of Christianity.
However, it is important to remember that Stuart Little is a work of fiction and should be understood as such. Parents have the opportunity to use the story as a starting point for conversations about faith, explaining their own beliefs and values to their children.
This can be a valuable teaching moment, helping children to develop critical thinking skills and fostering an understanding of different perspectives.
Ultimately, whether or not Stuart Little promotes interfaith acceptance is a matter of personal interpretation. Some may view it as a positive representation of diversity and respect for different faiths, while others may see it as conflicting with their religious beliefs.
It is up to parents to decide how they want to approach this topic with their children, and to use stories like Stuart Little as opportunities for open and meaningful conversations about faith and acceptance.
Stuart Little’s Character Flaws
Arrogance and Selfishness
One of the main reasons why this Christian mom dislikes Stuart Little is because of his character flaws, particularly his arrogance and selfishness. Throughout the book and movie, Stuart often displays a sense of superiority and entitlement, believing that he is more important than others simply because he is a talking mouse.
This arrogance is not a trait that aligns with Christian values of humility and putting others before oneself. Stuart’s self-centeredness is evident in his interactions with his family and other characters, as he often prioritizes his own desires and needs above theirs.
Lying and Deception
Another aspect of Stuart Little’s character that concerns this Christian mom is his tendency to lie and deceive. In his quest to impress others and gain acceptance, Stuart frequently fabricates stories, exaggerates his abilities, and bends the truth.
This pattern of dishonesty is clearly at odds with the Christian value of honesty and integrity. Teaching children the importance of truthfulness is essential, and having a character like Stuart Little who often engages in deception could send mixed messages about the importance of honesty.
Sinful Nature vs. Christian Virtues
Stuart Little’s character flaws also highlight the contrast between his sinful nature and the Christian virtues that believers are encouraged to cultivate. As Christians, we strive to embody qualities such as kindness, compassion, and selflessness.
However, Stuart often falls short in these areas, displaying selfishness, impatience, and a lack of empathy towards others. This discrepancy between Stuart’s behavior and the Christian values can serve as a teaching opportunity for parents to discuss the importance of striving to live according to God’s principles and the challenges we face in doing so.
While Stuart Little may be a beloved character for many, this Christian mom finds it important to critically examine the character flaws displayed by Stuart and use them as teachable moments for her children about the importance of humility, honesty, and striving to live according to Christian virtues.
Glorification of Talking Animals in Media
One aspect of media that has become increasingly prevalent in recent years is the glorification of talking animals. From Disney films like Lady and the Tramp to beloved children’s books such as Peter Rabbit, these stories often captivate our imaginations and leave us with a sense of wonder.
However, there are some individuals, like this Christian mom, who question the impact of these narratives on our society and its values.
Disney Films Like Lady and the Tramp
Disney has a long history of creating heartwarming tales featuring talking animals. Lady and the Tramp, for example, tells the story of a romance between two dogs from different backgrounds. While the film is undoubtedly entertaining and has charmed audiences for generations, some argue that it promotes unrealistic expectations and anthropomorphizes animals to an extreme degree.
The Christian mom in question believes that this kind of storytelling can blur the lines between humans and animals, potentially leading to a devaluation of human life.
Children’s Books Such as Peter Rabbit
Peter Rabbit, written by Beatrix Potter, is another classic example of children’s literature that centers around talking animals. This beloved tale follows the adventures of a mischievous rabbit and his encounters with Mr. McGregor’s garden.
While the story is undoubtedly enchanting, some argue that it places too much emphasis on the animals’ abilities and characteristics, which may divert attention away from important human values. This Christian mom believes that children should be encouraged to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of the human experience, rather than idolizing talking animals.
Uplifting Animals Over Humans Is Offensive To God
For this Christian mom, the glorification of talking animals in media is not just a matter of personal preference, but also a matter of faith. She believes that uplifting animals over humans goes against the teachings of Christianity and is offensive to God.
According to her perspective, humans were created in the image of God and possess a unique dignity and worth that should be celebrated. While animals are undoubtedly a part of God’s creation and should be treated with care and respect, she argues that they should not be elevated to the same level as humans.
Conclusion
In summary, this Christian mom hates Stuart Little because his cross-species adoption and humanized characterization go against biblical principles. She sees Stuart as promoting interfaith universalism and normalizing sinful behavior.
His place in the broader glorification of talking animals in films and books also glorifies beast over man in direct opposition to her Christian worldview.
