Taking your kids to see Santa at the Mall VS. Praying with your children?
Singing songs about Santa/Reindeer VS. Singing songs about God and the like?
Dressing up as Santa to surprise your kids VS. Performing religious rites?
Aren't atheists and the like just as guilty as the religious and the like when it comes to teaching our children about reality?
2006-12-14 10:40:15 · 21 answers · asked by Presagio 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Just to add this in, I know some atheist who refuse to talk to their children about Santa, the Easter Bunny, and tooth fairy for the same reason they don't believe in God. So there are some who take reason and rationality all the way- those are not 'guilty' of misrepresenting reality, as you put it.
2006-12-15 10:09:17 · answer #1 · answered by Twin momma as of 11/11 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Uh, no. Taking the kids to see a man in a Santa suit has nothing to do with pretending some man in the sky created everything. Who dresses like god for the holidays? Your analogies leave a lot to be desired. After all, the difference between a belief in Santa and a belief in god is that by age 12, most kids have grown out of the belief in Santa.
2006-12-14 10:46:54 · answer #2 · answered by ReeRee 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
so a techniques as faith is in contact i purchased up my toddlers very similar to you've your daughter. i'm sorry although that you've made this decision related to Santa, Christmas is magical to toddlers, the lighting fixtures, the flying reindeer, Santa, elements that look lower than the tree. with the help of the eyes of an adolescent those issues are remarkable, they somewhat believe. even as they learn that Santa does not exist Christmas is by no skill somewhat so particular for them or you as a determine back. somewhat there is not some thing incorrect with slightly magic in our youngster's lives. even with the actual shown truth that now grown up my toddlers nonetheless save in ideas those early Christmases more advantageous obviously than the later ones. I only wish you tell your daughter now to not tell her pals that Santa does not exist and get rid of that magic from them besides.
2016-11-30 19:10:34 · answer #3 · answered by klosterman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ummm no. NO one has ever purported Santa to be a god at any point. Sure, he's omnicient, sure he has sper powers, but then do so many superheoes.
Where is it that YOU fail to teach YOUR children the meaning behind santa - and god possibly- that it isn't a person, but an ideal, a way to live and be - caring, sharing, giving and loving.
If believing in santa bothers you, then don't. Don't let your kid believe in any of the superheroes either, though. It's the same thing.
2006-12-14 10:48:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Reality is... everybody wants something from anybody, which is always true to children... and as a figure... we put Santa and God into the life of our father, the provider. In which Santa is the Ultimate Godfather, while God is the ultimate provider. So, I presume that materialistic mind should have their moments for happiness, and is natural to children.
2006-12-14 10:47:28 · answer #5 · answered by wacky_racer 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Children seem to realize gradually that while the story of Santa is lovely, it is really we who do Santa's work for him.
Collectively WE are Santa.
I will be happy if my kids feel the same way about god -- nice idea, but it's up to us to do the work.
.
2006-12-14 10:42:58 · answer #6 · answered by Chickyn in a Handbasket 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No because Santa Clause is real. I would never teach my kids something that wasn't real like Santa Clause, the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny if they didn't exist. Man these things are what child hood is made for. Religion is far too severe and sinister to burden a child with. To go to Hell if you are not good. It's one thing to threaten them with no presents if they are bad but to spend forever in hell if they are bad is too much.
2006-12-14 10:56:39 · answer #7 · answered by Chuck C 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think it's entirely the same because of the social implication the kid would feel if they knew about Santa being fake Vs. the social implication of the kid being of a different, or no religion. You are right that there is a link.
2006-12-14 10:45:21 · answer #8 · answered by Rick S 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Santa is a pretty secular institution, and it falls apart pretty easily as children get older.
And Santa-ology is pretty free-wheeling and not particularly canonized. Even the Christmas specials on television contradict, so I don't think it's the same as organized religion.
2006-12-14 10:47:21 · answer #9 · answered by Mr. Bad Day 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Santa clause is Latin for Saint Nickolas. He gave gifts (often food) to poor children in his town. He him self was a very poor person and would save up all year just to do this kind act. No one knew it was him until after his death. To say that all that is santa is wrong is wrong its self. Santa keeps the magic in christmas (check your bible, it even says that Jesus was born in spring).
2006-12-14 10:45:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋