what happens when the child finds out everyone he/she trusts has been lying. Then there's the humiliation the child goes through defending this belief until finally he/she realizes it is a lie. Wow! The people I trust most lie to me. hmmm?
2006-12-12 00:38:42 · 24 answers · asked by steve y 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Some people seem to think it's like a fun game to play with your children. Having a holiday where people just give gifts to each other may seem too boring.
Personally, I find the entire idea disgusting, for exactly the reasons you've mentioned. As I gradually came to the realization as a young child, just by things not making sense about it, I became completely disillusioned. How can you be a happy child when the people you look up to, the ones who are supposed to guide you and love you more than anything, lie to you in that way? It's just plain wrong.
2006-12-12 00:47:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Here's my two cents worth on the issue.
We've always been very straight forward with our children. They have always known who "Santa" really is. We still allow them to play Santa, we still put gifts under the tree from Santa. They understand that other parents choose to not tell their children the truth about Santa, and we are not going to spoil that for their family. However, if asked, they will not join in on the deception.
My children enjoy Christmas as much, if not more, than those who play the Santa game. They have always found it ammusing to see what great lengths and adult will go through to perpetrate the continuation of the deception.
For me, the choice was a clear, logical choice. Being a Christian, I know that we beleive in a God who you cannot physically see. There is much evidence of His existance, but there is still the fact that you cannot "see" Him. If I choose to "pretend" Santa, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, etc, then at some point in the future I will have to say to my children that they are not real; we were just "having fun" pretending. So, here is how a child processes that. Santa is not real, the Easter Bunny is not real, the Tooth Fairy is not real, therefore, I guess Jesus is not real either.
How was I going to be able to have that conversation with my children when they began to question the reality of Jesus?
2006-12-12 01:49:58 · answer #2 · answered by SearchForTruth 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It has always been my practice to tell my child the truth about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the tooth fairy, etc. She has known from an early age that it is God who brings every blessing into our lives. She has also been taught never to disrespect another person's beliefs. So, no, she never went into school trashing the other childrens' belief in these fictional characters. There's plenty of magical moments and joy you can bring into your child's life without lying to them. We've gone on pretend visits to other lands where there were fairies, etc. But she knew we were playing. I don't believe it's God's best to get your children all excited about this wonderful character called Santa Claus, only to tell them he is fictional when they get old enough to "handle it". Handle what? That you lied and tricked them? Heaven forbid! The ultimate risk we run when we teach our children about these fictitional characters is: "Well, if Mom and Dad told me Santa Claus isn't real, that he was just make believe, maybe Jesus isn't real either." Not a message I want to send to my child.
2006-12-12 00:52:18 · answer #3 · answered by Terri 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I thinks its just to put the fun element in Christmas and because Santa Claus has been going for such a long time, to say he doesnt really exist can almost come across as being a lie.
2006-12-12 00:47:12 · answer #4 · answered by JDJ34 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not everyone lies about it. Santa Claus was a real person hundreds of years ago, (outside of the flying sleigh and chimney trick) so people celebrate his caring and generuosity towards people by at attempting to mimick the same things Claus did. We often lose the meaning of Christmas, and that is to help people we DON'T KNOW instead of buying things for people who reciprocate back towards us. When we give and expect nothing in return, that is divine. So in essence, the spirit of Santa Claus is still with us when we work in that nature.
Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.
2006-12-12 00:46:10 · answer #5 · answered by Le Nuez Vert` 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It depends on the child. Some handle it better than others. You have to use your own judgement. Mostly, the Santa Claus ruse is fairly harmless. It might even teach them to be skeptical of claims later in life. That would be a good thing.
2006-12-12 00:41:42 · answer #6 · answered by nondescript 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Saint Nicholas (AKA Santa) isn't a lie, he's an actual person. Nicholas was born in the third century to very wealthy parents. He was raised to be a devout Christian. His parent's died while he was young and Nicholas followed Jesus' teaching to "sell everything you own and give the money to the poor." He did that and gave all of his inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He had a special place in his heart for children. Nicholas dedicated his life to serving God and was made a Bishop. Under the Roman persecution of Christians, Nicholas was imprisoned and exiled. Nicholas died December 6, AD 343.
2006-12-12 00:51:18 · answer #7 · answered by Melissa P 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I don't lie to my kids about it. In my house we celebrate Jesus birthday...unfortunately outside influences tend to thwart my efforts though...Like the public school that my sons attend. Like they other day they had family night and all of the kindergarten classes had to attend so that they could see santa and make a Kwanzaa gift! Whaaat? You won't even discuss Jesus in school during his birthday but you want to brainwash my child with all of your propaganda?So it's not always the parents fault...society has it's way of corrupting little minds as well.Thankfully my kids no that they can always trust me enough to tell them the truth!
2006-12-12 01:05:50 · answer #8 · answered by Victoria05 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
o.ok.i do not opt for to assert I lie , somewhat I infer optimum as a lot as we may be able to all be "santa" with techniques from sharing , & giving to others because the Lord did ( Jesus Christ ) even as he replaced into on earth. It takes alot of concept and prepare to drag it off. i wish you and all had a very good Christmas & i wish Santa were given decrease back to the N. Pole properly :-) Evie
2016-11-30 11:37:02 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wait you mean he isn't real?? But he see's me when I'm sleeping! He Knows When I'm Awake...He knows if I have been bad or good...So I try so hard to be good so that I don't get punished. Santa must exist because I believe he does! I have faith that he exists..even though there is no proof he does...Faith is enough....It doesn't matter if the north pole cannot sustain life...And a Sleigh towed by Reindeer could not possibly fly by scientific standards...I believe in my heart he is real...so he must be ....right?
2006-12-12 00:54:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋