If you start by lieing to your kids by telling them of santa leaving presents, tooth fairy coming at night and leaving money under thier pilow for a tooth, easter bunny, sand man, there's a lod of them, when it comes time for the child to believe in god it makes it difficult because the things they have grown up with have been proven to be lies, why should they believe that we havent lied about god, and it is becomming more and more difficult to get young people involved in the church is this why, other religions who dont practice this form of misleading information can maybe seem to bring young people into accepting thier god.
2006-11-26 02:14:16 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
scots_lad2006
Yes i have kids and i have christian values, you have not contibuted to the question because your so keen to tell about youself. the point is are we confusing children by misleading them
2006-11-26 03:30:55 · update #1
You seem to be missing the entire point of your argument - parents tell "lies" to their children in order to either explain things or modify their behaviour, like Santa, the tooth fairy etc.
The god lie is just another one of the same sequence - you're nearly there, pal, think about it.
2006-11-26 02:18:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 6⤋
Why should they believe in a god any more than the other fairy tales.
Besides Father Christmas, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, Sand Man, and so on, were never ever the cause of war.
No it is not wrong, and if you take away a childs fanatacies you take away a childs hope. I remember my mother telling me about Mr Sand man coming as I was dropping off to sleep, oh that I could bring those times back. I suppose you don`t agree with pantomime either.
2006-11-26 02:42:12 · answer #2 · answered by Spanner 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No I don't think it's wrong. I'm a Christian and I do everything at Christmas to let my 4 children believe in Santa - even as far as getting my dad to dress up as Santa on Christmas Eve, walk round the block then come down the garden path with some 'early' pressies for them. I think it's absolutely magical to look forward to Santa coming on Christmas eve and putting out the whisky and mince pies for him and carrots for Rudolph!
The only problem is that my youngest son is only 3 and is absolutely terrified of Santa and throws an absolute screaming fit if he sees him!!
My oldest son is 12 now and stopped believing in Santa when he was about 8. He has never, ever stopped believing in Jesus because he knows He is totally real, loves Him to bits and has changed his life forever. That's something that 'Santa' could never give him!!
Another thing to remember, every night before they go to sleep, my children say their prayers and they always start off with 'Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for....' They know how much Jesus loves them and how special they are to Him but never once have they prayed to Santa, the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy!!
Let the children enjoy the innocent wonder of being children for as long as they can! They have to grow up so quickly these days.
2006-11-26 07:32:37 · answer #3 · answered by Rakibear 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand that you have a dilemma because Santa (and tooth fairy) is a lie. But when they grow up you'll children won't call you a liar because of it. They will understand that you just wanted them to enjoy the magic of Christmas while they were young. Take them to church so that they know the true meaning (and I suppose the true magic) of Christmas. When they are a bit older tell them the origins of the legend of Father Christmas but let them have that magic while they are Little. They grow up so quickly!
If you tell them Father Christmas isn't real they will miss out on the excitement and if they tell their friends what you've said it will be spoilt for them.
Wishing you a lovely Christmas
2006-11-26 03:19:54 · answer #4 · answered by ribble_girl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I also think it's a little weird that that lie to them about that, at 10yo. It's fine when they're younger, it's something kids can get really excited about, and it's really sweet and causes no harm. But once they're older and that ASK if the tooth fairy/santa/easter bunny is real, then personally I think it's pretty mean to lie about it. If either of those girl mention that at school, they will be teased relentlessly by the other kids, who most likely know the truth. There is also no one to keep your child "innocent", and at 10 lying to your kids about things like that isn't "keeping them innocent", it's just plain lying. But there isn't much you can do about it lol. Unless you want to have to deal with some very angry parents :p I just feel sorry for those girls. *sigh*
2016-05-23 04:06:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I think it's okay for a young child to believe in Santa. I think they find it exciting and I doubt they'll hold it against you when they grow up. As far as God goes, if you want, make sure the child learns that a belief God is different from the others, and should be taken much more seriously. Explain to them that God is about more than fun and presents. Let them know that God is about love and will be a big part of how they will live their entire life, etc. JMHO
2006-11-26 02:42:51 · answer #6 · answered by GreyGHost29 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how you define lying. If you spend a lot of time on the Santa story (or the Easter Bunny story, etc.), describing how Santa lives and all the stuff that's built up around the basic idea, maybe you're setting the kids up for a fall. But simply acknowledging the legend or letting them use their own imaginations isn't the same thing as true lying. It's done to entertain not to escape punishment or make oneself look better than one is.
As for God, depending on your beliefs, you can start talking about Him as soon as possible and make it clear that there's a difference - God is real love, where Santa is a fun story.
Both my daughters remember Santa stuff with fondness and it didn't affect their relationships with God. They continue the tradition.
2006-11-26 02:27:31 · answer #7 · answered by Holly R 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you want your children to be honest with you then you should try and tell the truth about everything-always. It's not as hard as it seams and it is of great importance. Children are very clever and once they realise that you lied to them or anyone else no matter how trivial it was, they will do the same.
So, about Santa, Easter bunny...tell them the truth: they are not real but you can play and act like they are. I know few people who did it and children loved those things, but they saw them like games and God they took seriously.
2006-11-26 02:26:30 · answer #8 · answered by Kiara 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hmmmm I dont think you can blame father christmas, tooth fairy and the easter bunny for children not beliving in God.
I do kind of see you point. But do any kids belive in those things any more? Also when they find out are they truly devestated? I really didnt care that santa was not real I still got my presents! In fact its better that they came from my parents.
I have to say santa & the tooth fairy are probally more fun for the adults to do as little pranks to freak out their kids!
2006-11-26 02:19:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
In this day and age....I think it is very important to teach kids the truth from the start. Santa is fake....Saint Nicolas was REAL. If St. Nick found a child that was bad...he actually put a piece of coal in their stocking. As far as ALL the holidays...they have become nothing more than huge gift giving times to keep the retailer in business. God is VERY real!!!!! And none of the holidays have any real christanity beginnings.
2006-11-26 02:44:48 · answer #10 · answered by TexasRose 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing wrong in bringing a little joy, fun and excitement into a childs world. They are children for a very short time, let them enjoy santa, the tooth fairy, easter bunny.
You can still teach them about God, take them to church and let the Spirit of the Lord lead them.
It's called balance, which this world is lacking more and more everyday.
2006-11-26 02:25:39 · answer #11 · answered by badboy 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋