As far as teaching them that the fantasy of Santa Clause is real, and truly worthy of debate. Don't you think that you are inviting them to think that Jesus is a fantasy too when they finally realize that Santa isn't real, or the tooth fairy or the Easter bunny?
Athiests: we know you think it's all fantasy~ so this question isn't really warranting your opinion.
2006-12-19 04:49:06 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Gen, I think the question escaped you little head.
2006-12-19 04:59:19 · update #1
I think its OK to let the children know they can imagine or pretend. I have a hard time, because my daughter doesn't want me to tell my grandbabies there isn't a santa.
I have to be honest with them, so I tell them we can pretend and Santa could get stuck in the chimney. But the true story of St. Nicholas should be told. In that he was persecuted for the Gospel sake and imprisoned & when he was let out of prison, he gave gifts to the children. So, to me Nickolas is a true Saint.
So it isn't all fantasy. The Spirit of Love, sharing, giving, family, etc is real at this time of year.
2006-12-19 04:55:51 · answer #1 · answered by t_a_m_i_l 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
there's a difference between teaching your children that Santa and the Tooth Fairy is real and ALLOWING children to believe what they wish to believe while they are children.
It's part of being a child.
It is a fantasy. There is no Santa Clause but your mommy and daddy....believing in Santa Clause when you are little is part of the magic that ADULTS try so hard to get back with their belief in God.
But Who tells the Adults that there is no God?
Jesus as far as I know, really existed. Whether or not he was God incarnate is the mystery.
Atheists don't necessarily believe that God is a fantasy. You're making assumptions. Atheists generally don't give a crap either way.
2006-12-19 04:58:37 · answer #2 · answered by vicarious_notion 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, it is humanly impossible for one person to deliver billions of presents in less than 12 hours world wide.
If he does exist, then he must have a lot people helping him out, and I'm sure you know who they are.
A FEW years ago the assistant managing editor of the U.S. Catholic magazine wrote:
“Whereas the true lesson of Christmas is a message of divine mercy and sacrifice, Santa is the front man for greedy corporations, and the tutor in greed for millions of American children. He is the saint of gimme. He has become a total sellout to materialism and greed. He is in the pay of the big toy manufacturers and department stores. A greedy child is never appeased. A spoiled child appreciates nothing. An overindulged child is convinced that the major figure of Christmas is not Christ, but himself.”
This editor thought that Santa should have been left at the North Pole.
Our children, from and early age, knew, and were told there was no such person as Santa Claus, we never had a problem with them. We did not set one day out of the year to give presents to our children, it could be any day, week, or month.
2006-12-19 07:49:23 · answer #3 · answered by BJ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Santa is just a story about a man who made toys for the poor childreen in Netherlands. Poeple just took it too far like making up stories that he had elves and blah blah. My opinion before believing in a hear say do research too. Jesus ? well science has a different investigation about him that a lot christian debate about. My advise if read a lot reaserch and read proven history.
2006-12-19 04:53:55 · answer #4 · answered by LIZA 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not an atheist, and I will give my opinion anyway because I am not a Christian. My Question to you is, What can we truly believe in? I believe in ghosts, Have I seen one, Maybe I don't know. Have I seen god? No Have I seen Santa? Yes he's at the Mall. My parents taught me to believe in none of what I hear and only half of what I see. Fantasies can come true if you believe. Isn't that a quote from Peter Pan?
2006-12-19 04:57:16 · answer #5 · answered by Highbeam 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Santa Claus- original name 'Saint Nicholas"
Born in Myra, Turkey in the 3rd century A.D.
A Bishop in the Christian Church for Myra, in the Byzantine Empire.
Jesus Christ- born March of 4 A.D. while his parents were traveling to Nazareth for the Roman Census. That Census only took place ONCE.... in March of 4 A.D.
2006-12-19 05:27:50 · answer #6 · answered by wolf560 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was always told that a person believes what they want so when i was a child my parents were never like their is a Santa so it is up to the person
2006-12-19 04:57:44 · answer #7 · answered by sugertae 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm an agnostic.....but growing up in a Christian family, I agree with your point of view. I've often wondered that myself. Christians should be teaching their kids the real reason for Christmas.
But here's another brain-buster. Why do atheists celebrate Christmas?
2006-12-19 04:53:27 · answer #8 · answered by Abby C 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think children can be raised with both god and santa.
Santa was really, Saint Nick aka the arch bishop of Turkey (I think I got the right country).
I'll tell my kids that santa works for god. when they get older I'll tell then saint nick died but we use the story of santa to respect his memory, what he stood for, and to bring happiness to kids.
2006-12-19 05:21:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
my children will see that everyone at some time stops believing in Santa Claus.
but people, regardless of their age, will always believe in Jesus Christ.
2006-12-19 05:02:57 · answer #10 · answered by jinenglish68 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋