AITA for refusing to take down a poster in my bedroom after step-mom told me to?

A Redditor (27F) temporarily moved back into her childhood home with her dad and stepmom after a separation. Her stepmom recently demanded that she remove a Hellfire Club poster from her bedroom, calling it inappropriate for their Christian household.

While the user initially considered taking it down, her stepmom’s insistence on replacing it with a Jesus painting made her reconsider. Now, she’s torn between gratitude for a place to stay and her right to her personal space. Read her story below.

‘ AITA for refusing to take down a poster in my bedroom after step-mom told me to?’

I am a 27 year old female living with my dad and his wife after a recent separation, until I save up the funds for a new place on my own. I have a Hellfire club poster in my bedroom (you know the one, from stranger things) that my step mom has just brought up as an issue for her.

Her words ‘this is a Christian household, and the devil poster you have in your room really bothers me. I need it out of my house.’ The part of me that plays peacemaker as a first thought was willing enough to comply, until she stated she would put up a painting of Jesus up in its place. In other words, decorating my bedroom for me to suit her tastes.

Let it be stated that I align myself with a lot of Christian beliefs and was raised Christian myself. Not that it fully matters, but the poster was just a matter of love for the show and has nothing to do with devil worship (which she would know if she ever cared to watch it).

However it’s been a couple weeks and I still have not taken the poster down. Now, it’s a matter of principle. I uprooted my own life and home (by my own choice) to move back into my childhood home that I had no real desire to be in anyways, but am thankful for nonetheless.

But does that mean I, as a nearly 30 year old woman, need to change my own bedroom to make her happy? What about my happiness? My independence?. Am I the a**hole?

Here’s what the community had to contribute:

P42U2U__ −  NTA, I just saw you say you were paying rent, that is your room, you can hang up whatever you want. Can I ask what denomination you were raised? Because even though there is 0 context, I’m getting a big Baptist energy from your step mom 🤣

Feelinggross99 −  INFO: are you paying for the room in any way?

Affectionate-Bag2055 −  People like her aren’t even worth the energy. If you’re paying any rent you can decorate it as you please NTA. If you’re not paying rent she views you as her “guest” in her and your dad’s home, i would just take it down as like I said, people like her aren’t worth the negativity they bring. But she’s a major AH if she tries to put a Jesus pic there to stare at you in perpetuity.. NTA to refuse that.

Creative_Method_3333 −  After reading these comments I can agree that my own stubbornness is one of my biggest liabilities. It does make me seem childish for arguing over principle when they’ve been kind enough to offer a place to stay while I get on my feet.

More than likely I will take the poster down, but I draw the line at her decorating the space for me. Seeing as how I do pay rent, I think that’s fair🤷‍♀️ I mean I’m open to hearing if I’m wrong on that though.

Alternative-Drop-664 −  NTA. If she’s so scared of “hell”, she should stop willingly walking into it lol

Fickle_Toe1724 −  NTA. Since you pay rent, that is your space. She does not own the house. She has no right to control what is in your room, that you pay for. She has no right to go into your room. Keep the door closed. Talk to dad. Tell him you do not like how she talks to you, or tries to control what you hang in your room.  If she takes the poster down, tell dad you are not paying rent any more, and find some where else to live. 

zerenato76 −  NTA but move out. This will be a long term issue as she seeks to assert her position and lump her values over you all. Since your dad isn’t mentioned, I expect he’s okay with that so you’ll fight two people who you inconvenience anyway. Not worth it imho.

scornedandhangry −  She is just exerting some control over you – it’s not really about the poster. You just have to figure out if its worth the fight or not.

North_Artichoke_6721 −  No. Keep the door shut.

MrsKiller2007 −  NTA. Even if you aren’t paying a gorram dime she needs to get over herself.. Catholic, here, btw. It’s a reference to a show not actual anti Christian propaganda.

Is the Redditor being disrespectful by keeping the poster up in her stepmom’s house, or is it fair for her to expect autonomy in her personal space, even while staying with family? How would you navigate this boundary? Share your perspective below!