I've never really understood the concept of Santa Claus. He was a man who lived a long time ago. Why does he even fit in with the Christian religion? I've always thought that I would tell my kids the truth, that there is no Santa, but whenever I tell someone this, they gasp and act as if I just committed a murder. Anyways, so, what are your reasons for telling or not telling your kids about Santa?
2006-08-06 06:48:25 · 29 answers · asked by ....... 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
I guess I should have made this clear. I am not Christian, I am an Atheist. But every Christian I know tells their kids about Santa, so I was wondering the significance of him in the Christian religion, because I don't think there is any.
2006-08-07 08:32:43 · update #1
You gotta break the news to them SOME time. I don't believe in sheltering your kids from reality. They need to be prepared for the real world where it ain't about princesses and santa clauses and merry go rounds. They need to know tigers are dangerous and not these friendly lil "friends" like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh. Blame Disney for turning animals into these friendly creatures that don't bite. Whatever. That's not how I want to raise my kids. My kids need to learn the difference between reality and fantasy.
2006-08-06 13:21:47 · answer #1 · answered by ♥iamsleepy♥ 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Santa is a part of modern American mythology. His past has very little to do with Christianity as his image and attributes are closely linked to Odin, the Father God of the ancient Norse and Germans. There has to be a place in our culture for mythology, but I too wonder why lying to our kids is a good idea. If you just explained that Santa is a symbol and not real, I guess they could understand. But, since you're Christian, how/why would you explain the obviously pagan symbology of Santa to your children? How does the King of Winter fit into the Christ's birth? My brother is a fundamentalist and he and his wife spent a few years without Santa or the Easter Bunny or Halloween. Eventually they gave in because their children felt deprived of what, to the kids, were obvious parts of American identity. You could put Christan symbology 'over' the older symbols, like the missionaries did to help convert ancient Europe. It's an attempt to have your cake and eat it too.
2006-08-06 07:15:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doesn't what you just described also describe religion. A STORY about a man that lived long ago. At least Santa Claus can be proven that it is based on a true story. Besides, kids grow out of the Santa story with no harm done. If only the same could be said about religion.
2006-08-06 06:55:33 · answer #3 · answered by EG345 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
St. Nickolaus was a saint who was interested in the welfare of children. When Clemment Moore wrote a visit with St. Nicholas he started up the Santa Claus myth, Macy's and Cocoa Cola are really responsible for the modern day Santa Claus.
Be that as it may my mum used to say that Santa Claus like the WiseMen and St. Nickolaus represented the spirit of Christmas and giving , not necessarily receiving, thinking about one's fellow man or woman or child. Along with our Christmas celebrations about making lists , we also had to give money to the ' white' gifts for poor children in December. Now they call it shoebox gifts. I was about 7, when my older brother, being the rat he was , spilled the beans and when I confronted my mother that's how she explained Santa Claus and giivng to me . So in essence I still believe in Santa Claus and I'm no kid.
Not everyone has to have the same beliefs, but it's nice if you respect other people's beliefs and not tell their children that their parents are lying to them. Takes all kinds to make a world. Lizzytish
2006-08-06 07:01:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't tell them lies about it. I think it's perverse to want children to believe something you know to be false, and especially to go to such great lengths about it. I think Saint Nicholas would have been horrified if he'd known the kind of stories people would be telling about him nowadays. He was a Christian bishop long ago in what is now Turkey, and he was known as a kind man who had a special love for children and for the poor. He was said to have given money so that several poor girls would be able to get married, and things of that sort. He was an exemplary Christian and an admirable man, and I think that story is a much more inspiring one than the modern Santa Claus.
2006-08-06 07:01:16 · answer #5 · answered by Billy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Santa Claus is like a fairy tale, and I grew up with it... When I was mature enough I realized by myself that presents where bought by my mom and dad... But during my childhood's years it was very nice to believe in Santa Claus... It is not like lying or something. Maybe your approach on the subject is a little bit wrong. See it more simple.. By making your kids believe in him you can teach them the values of "giving" without waiting for a "thank you". Because that's what Santa Claus is doing after all. He gives and he doesn't wait for a thank you when he delivers presents when everyone is sleeping....I think his story has a deeper meaning ...
2006-08-06 07:29:14 · answer #6 · answered by C.C. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How old are your kids? They eventually, will find out that there is not a Santa Claus, with your help or not, and sooner that you think. So let them enjoy their childhood. Why you want to let your kids grow up so fast? The name Santa Claus originated as a mispronunciation of the Dutch Sinterklass That means Saint Nicholas. This saint was a 4 century Bishop in Turkey and he is remember to this day , because of his teachings in charity and giving.
2006-08-06 07:19:18 · answer #7 · answered by Sakura ♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think telling children about Santa Claus the Easter rabbit and the tooth fairy is blatantly telling lies to them. I think it's ok to tell them the story of Santa because he was a real person back in...oh I can't remember the year. But that is a good story to tell about giving and receiving. But it is still a lie to tell them that he comes down the chimney to bring them presents. Then what do you tell them when they don't get what they want, another lie?
Tell them the true reason for celebrating Christmas, that it was the day of Jesus's birth. But... if you're not of the Christian persuasion it's still better to tell them the true story of St. Nicholas than to let them believe that the old guy is still alive and well and plotting a route to your house in December.
2006-08-06 07:05:14 · answer #8 · answered by valducci53 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm still somewhat young myself......but yes I would tell my kids about Santa Claus. He is Saint Nicholas. That's how he fits into the Christian faith. I wouldn't deprive my children of the wonderful fantisy that jolly old Saint Nick came to visit them with gifts. When they start to ask questions is a sign that they're growing up and are ready to understand that he's not real.
2006-08-06 09:17:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't like the concept of Santa, especially the way the media has popularized it. There are tons of movies insisting that Santa Claus actually does exist, even in the face of doubt, and even radio and news reports on Christmas Eve "tracking" Santa's flight to bring kids their toys. To me that seems really cruel, to trick our children in such a thorough way. What's wrong with saying to our children, "Christmas is the anniversary of the birth of a great man long ago and we exchange gifts on this day to honor the things he gave us?" (or something similar.)
2006-08-06 10:32:43 · answer #10 · answered by Isis-sama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Santa Claus is a metaphor for many of the American Christian Faiths. The best thing for young folks.
They learn about belief, greed and honesty while they are still little.
I am not Christian, but I keep up the Farce with Christian kids because it brings them joy.
2006-08-06 06:55:19 · answer #11 · answered by Sqwrll F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋