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A mother was appalled to find a Lidl Halloween cup filled with a Christian pamphlet that she believed was "indoctrinating young children."
Elisha Parr visited the budget store in Downham Market on Sunday, where she purchased the ghost-themed cup for her six-year-old son, Sam Middleton-Parr.
A mother was shocked to find a pamphlet inside her son’s Lidl Halloween cupCredit: Kennedy News
The pamphlet seemed to caution 'little children'Credit: Kennedy News
They initially believed it was an instruction leaflet inside the ghost cupCredit: Kennedy News
Upon returning home, Elisha's partner, Christian Middleton, unscrewed the lid of the £2.99 cup to wash it before giving it to Sam.
Thinking it was just the instruction leaflet, he removed it and began washing the cup, but then took a closer look and, astonished, handed it to Elisha.
The mother of two read the anonymous pamphlet, apparently titled ‘The Sin of Idolatry,’ which warns, “little children, keep yourselves from idols.”
Elisha was shocked to find that the leaflet repeatedly quoted various books from the Bible, including Exodus, Colossians, and Corinthians, emphasizing the importance of “fleeing from idols.”
Elisha suspects someone intentionally placed the flyer inside the ghost cup to “push their views” onto young children.
The mother criticized the perpetrator’s “underhanded” tactics of “indoctrination” and promptly shared her experience.
Elisha, from Thetford, Norfolk, said: “We had just popped into Lidl to pick up some items, and my son Sam spotted the cup and was eager to have it. I said, ‘Sure, put it in the basket.’
“I didn’t think anything of it. We enjoy Halloween and always decorate the house; the kids love it.
“When we got home, my partner Christian went to wash it and thought it was just an instruction manual inside the cup.
“But when he looked closer, he thought, ‘What is this? It shouldn’t be here.’ He brought it to me, and I was quite taken aback.
“I was upset. I know some people don’t celebrate Halloween, but pushing this onto a small child was distressing for me.
“The leaflet is clearly targeted at children. I suspect the person was trying to imply that we shouldn’t celebrate Halloween.
“I feel it was a form of indoctrination. I don’t believe that’s the right way to approach things at all.
“I doubt children would even understand what’s in it.”
The leaflet contained several Bible verses warning against the worship of anything other than God.
It urged readers to “flee from idolatry” and “seek the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Elisha considers the pamphlet “inappropriate” for children and wants to raise awareness about her discovery.
Elisha remarked: “It feels like a manual outlining what to believe; it’s not suitable at all. It’s simply not what you expect to find.
“I think someone with too much time on their hands has gone around placing these in there.
“I saw other children carrying those cups around.
“My eldest son read it and was confused, asking a few questions. Fortunately, my youngest didn’t see it.
“I believe that if anyone has a religion or belief, that’s their choice; it shouldn’t be imposed on someone else, especially not a child.
“Attempting to push a belief onto someone is not acceptable in my opinion.
“The method they used was deceitful; other parents should be informed about this.”
Elisha stated that she reached out to Lidl regarding the leaflet and was offered a £10 voucher.
A Lidl spokesperson commented: “We were saddened to learn of this, as it’s never our intention for a customer to feel dissatisfied.
“As soon as we became aware, our regional team checked the remaining items and confirmed that all other pamphlets have been removed.”
The pamphlet contained various quotes from the BibleCredit: Kennedy News
