Is it good to teach your children about characters like santa claus?

Question

Think about it.

First off, Santa Claus is for the most part, a lie told my parents to get their children to be good.

But, also, for little children Santa Claus is, perhaps, like a god to them...

Just a little food for thought i'd like some opinions on.^_^

(Please not, i am asking this from a Christian point of view.)

The main point of the question is that for some children, S.Claus is sort of like a god in their minds.

Rock'a'by baby, in a tree top, when the wind blows, the cradle will rock, when the bow breaks, the cradle will fall, down will come baby, cradle and all........


Such a tramatizing song...

Sorry, just got a bit bored.

Thank you all for the answers.^_^

Answer 1

No it is not good.

We celebrate a child born in abject squalor with feasting. We bankrupt ourselves buying gifts when the best gift we can offer is our love. We stress out and fret and become anxious at a time of peace and goodwill to all men. We celebrate the time when shepherds and wise men worshipped the infant Jesus by watching television. The simplicity of the nativity stable is in stark contrast to the Christmas tree and decorations we put up.

Let's make a simpler Christmas, when you gather the family together and care for one another. When old friendships are renewed. When the elderly, hungry, lonely, sick and homeless are remembered and cared for.

Answer 2

There's a lot of bah humbug in some of these answers. These are children, for goodness sake. What next? Banning Sesame Street, Thomas the Tank Engine and fairy tales?

If you really think about it, children don't realise it's Christmas until they are 2- 3 years old, so you only have about 4-5 Santa Christmases. Don't take it away from them, there is enough reality for them to cope with as it is.

And here's a thought, do you really want all those redundant elves flooding the country getting a council house and claiming benefits?

Answer 3

First, santa is a lie which is wrong.

Second, you lose the trust of your child when he or she learns that they have been lied to by their parent.

Third, they may want you to prove that other things such as Christ is real... and just how will a Christian parent be able to do that since it is by faith that we believe.

Fourth, santa is given way too many of the attributes of God.

Fifth, I personally have a problem with not only santa, but also with the entire celebration of Christmas since it is not actually the birthdate of Christ. It is a sad fact that many Christians refuse to actually learn about how many pagan traditions they are following. Ever wonder what a Christmas tree has to do with the holiday or why Dec. 25th was chosen?

Therefore, I think that the only option a Christian parent has is to tell the truth and help their child to discover how God really wants us to worship Him.

Answer 4

I think we should tell children the truth. The true story of St. Nicholas is about an act of unselfish giving for a poor neighbor. It was done in secret. The Bible says not to "sound a trumpet" when giving but to do so secretly so only God sees and He will reward you openly.
This would be a good thing to teach children at Christmas...even to help them practice it. To do something good for someone and keep it a secret as in leaving gifts at the
Christmas is about 100 days away. It is a good time to start thinking about it.
Peace on earth, good will to men.
doorstep of a family that is struggling.
The Santa Clause myth that has grown up teaches children to expect to receive rather than learn to give. Not the same message at all as the original story.

Answer 5

You know I believed in Santa Claus and as a child was disappointed when my sister told me It was really mom and dad. I got over it and the Easter bunny too, but I still ask myself that question in regards to my kids. I decided telling the real Christmas story was most important, I follow with the true story of the real Santa ~St. Nicolas. And that giving is the real message not getting. Blessing another person at this time is a symbol of Gods love and his wish for us. Easter I tell the bible reality of it as well. We can still make believe about Santa, the Easter bunny and have fun, hope that helps
~A~

Answer 6

From a Christian view point i realise that telling your kids about Santa is a lie but i really do not see how it is harmful if you also tell them the true meaning of Christmas. Santa is just a fun factor for the kids. I know of a pastor who had three kids and each year on Christmas eve he got one of the children to play the part of Santa and deliver the presents. Santa is just for the excitement of the kids and i feel that it would be a shame to deny them this.

Answer 7

I don't see it as a lie. Technically, it is, I suppose, but I see it more as harmless fairy tales. A bit of magic and wonder to fuel children's imaginations that they eventually outgrow. My parents never used Santa Claus as an excuse to get children to be good. My parents expected me to behave myself just to... behave myself, rather than to ensure some mythical jolly figure would bring me a present once a year.

I don't think I ever considered Santa to be a god, either, or even like one. Just a wonderful person who could do magical things and was incredibly generous.

I see no harm in it, anyway. I've never known anyone to be especially traumatized by the realization that he wasn't /real/. Nor do I see it as some ploy to teach children about people's 'real motives' as one poster said. I can't imagine how anyone could believe it's child abuse. All children have an imagination and believe in things that aren't technically real. It's a part of growing up. They eventually realize that these things are figments of imagination, not real, and it's certainly not abusive to encourage it. In fact, it helps foster creativity and happiness and a natural part of development. It's not 'lying' as such. It's just encouraging an active mind, a healthy imagination, and spreading good cheer. It's fun, nothing more.

Answer 8

I see what yo mean that it can't be good to have parents lieing to there children, but unfortunately in this society it would seem really cruel NOT to bring your kids up with the idea of Santa Claus! And it would probably cause problems when they talk to there friends who still believe that santa is real.

The idea about Santa seeming Godlike is an interesting one, I hadn't thought of before. But if you look at it like that he is omnipotent (he can fly around the world in one night) omniscient (he knows what you are doing all the time), he judges people and rewards them accordingly (gifts or coal).

Answer 9

Parents aren't 'teaching' their children about Father Christmas, he is only a fictional character whose character and story they recount verbally rather than reading about from a book. This is the way all stories, myths and legends have been passed down through generations before most people could read (including the Bible.) Surely you aren't suggesting that all stories involving fictional characters should be banned? FC, as with most children's characters, is a good role model for children showing kindness, generosity etc. The only 'bad' characters I can think of, eg the wolf in Little Red Ridinghood, always seem to get their comeuppance!

Answer 10

If you don't teach your children about something your way, the rest of the world will teach it to them their way. You can tell your kids the truth about Santa Claus to begin with and give them the education that your parents didn't give you. Or, when they meet the rest of the world, the teachers and other kids will teach your children to treat Santa as some miraculous being. Your children will hear about Santa eventually, whether you like it or not. If you teach them first, you get to pick how they are first exposed to it.

Answer 11

Santa Claus is a good way to promote the spirit of Christmas in little children in my opinion. It also inspires children to use their imagination. Gives them hope as well. I will tell my son when he's old enough about Santa Claus. Then when he's old enough, I'll tell him what Christmas is all about.