do you think lying to your kids about santa makes them think you're lying about your faith, too?

Answer 1

Yes I do. A child knows not the difference. If you want to keep up with tradition with out a lie, then just tell them the idea of Santa is in the spirit of the holiday. One of the symbols of giving. People dress up like Santa to honor the spirit of giving and to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Answer 2

I've never really understood the Santa thing. You tell your kids this guy who doesn't exist brings them presents once a year. Then you buy them the presents and they don't even thank you because they think it's Santa.

One thing I've considered is that, far from worrying about deception with regards to faith, this ritual is a 'warmup faith'. The kids learn to love this character they never meet. Well, they can sit on his lap from time to time, but it's only for an instant. They send him lists of requests, asking for things they otherwise wouldn't have. They leave him milk and cookies, an offering if you will. His entrance and incredible journey are impossible, but they still believe it. I wonder if this was the intent of the Santa story, grooming children for religion.

Answer 3

I have an 11 1/2 year old boy. When he discovered "the truth" about Santa, we talked to him about the magic ofthe the season and about how much fun we have in having secrets and suprises for each other and how we wished that Santa was real.Even adults like to pretend for just a little while. He knows that God and Jesus are real just as he knows we love him. He's also smart enough to fiure out that the way you live is more important sometimes than what you say.

Answer 4

It's not lying about Santa, for the millionth time. And anyone uptight enough to think that Santa is a sin needs a righteousness-reality check.

Answer 5

Yes, I think you're right.

Santa's a fraud, and it's a matter of parental integrity to give kids a sound reality framework from the time they're old enough to talk.

Otherwise you'll get a generation of dough-brains believing in every fable from Bigfoot to the Loch Ness monster.

Answer 6

NO> God is supported by the Bible> while santa claus is no more than a fictional character> It is important that kids learn about God through the Bible, inorder for them to build a strong faith in life>

Answer 7

Yes it could. When my kids asked me if Santa was real (first grade) I told them it is a game we play and asked if they wanted to play or not? They said yes (of course they want the gifts), so I told them part of the game is we do not ever tell other kids it is a game.
I have never lied to my kids, because I want them to tell me the truth! They are 21 now and we have a great relationship (they are twins).

Answer 8

I agree Becky. My kids are grown now, but when they were little I was VERY aware that the Santa Clause thing was in essence telling them a lie.

I let it go, but we just didn't make a big deal about Santa one way or the other.

One day, when my son was about 5, he came up to me and flat out asked me, "Mom, are Santa and God alike?"

I said, "No, God is real."

Answer 9

Santa doesn't condemn people to hell for not believing in him.

Sorry, that doesn't answer the question. No, I think the Santa lie is pretty harmless in most cases and doesn't lead children to doubt absolutely everything their parents tell them.

Answer 10

I think it's a possibility. A good idea might be to tell them the story of Jesus' birth and present them with 3 Christmas gifts each, as representations of the gifts of the three Magi. It'll help keep you and your family from getting caught up in the commercialization of Christmas and stressing out as their wish lists get bigger and more expensive with age.