GJ, I don't think it's people's choices in raising their children that leads Mirch to refer to them how he does. Rather, it's their attitude towards him and his way of relating to his kids, which is condescending and offensive and involves the sin of backbiting. I think many of us are try to practice Islam sincerely and with a clear moral conscience, though inevitably we don't agree on everything. But as we've discussed in another post today, it's frustrating for those of us who are generally less strict or conservative to feel that some other Muslims will only show courtesy and respect for us when we do things exactly 'their way'.
If that is the reasoning, then that's fine. But I think something needs to be clarified:
What exactly are they doing that makes you think they have a condescending attitude towards you and your child?
Is it the mere fact, that they have prohibited their child from visiting your child at your house?
Have they said something to your personally that your were offended by?
Did they something behing your back that you overheard?
Do they walk a certain way, that makes you feel they are snooty?
Lets be more specific here. Lets try not to just label people as "condescending" just because they raise their children more strictly then you do. It is equally frustrating to strict parents when they are labeled as "condescending" or "more holier than thou" attitude just bcause they don't allow their children to do what other parents let their children do, when all they are trying to do is prevent mixed messages.