When kids are 9 or 10, we say "no more santa". The god delusion lasts into adulthood - why?

Question

Consider now that in a way Santa is more real than god - kids get to see concrete "evidence" - presents, of course there is real joy.... just wonderng. To a non-believer, it is not possible to distinguish between these two fantasy figures.

elwood b - lmao!

Preys jesus, so eh, God WILL torture me in hell? I thought that was the other guy? Aw well!

Answer 1

You sound a lot like I did about 20 years ago until this happened to me.

Several years ago I had an unusual experience concerning an uncle, a distant relative who lived over a thousand miles away.

While driving my car I suddenly felt the unmistakable presence of this relative that I hardly even knew. He was more like someone I had heard about than someone I knew. It was very strange; it felt as though I was momentarily lifted right out of my physical body. I seemed to be suspended somehow beyond space and time, bathed in a love so intense It felt like I could have just disappear into it at any moment if It would have let me. It only lasted for a few seconds, but it seemed to last forever at the same time. I realize how crazy this must sound. The experience was so strong that at first I was afraid I was loosing my grip on reality. I finally managed to chalk it up to an over active imagination.

Three days later I got a call from my aunt telling me that this uncle we are talking about had gone into a coma and died the day I had the experience. It felt like ice water had been poured down my back when she told me this. I had lost any real ideas of God or faith and had become somewhat of an atheist. Needless to say this experience caused me to rethink some of the conclusions I had come to.

I feel blessed to now understand that even in our darkest confusion something loves us so much that it went out of its way to assist me and bring me back to a state of absolute certainty about Gods love for us.
During the experience it seemed like there was a vast amount of information that I was somehow allowed access to. One thing that I came away from this experience understanding beyond any shadow of a doubt was that any Idea that God is unhappy with us or would judge or allow us to be punished for any reason is simply impossible.

I can’t explain the love I felt with words. They simply don’t make words big enough or complete enough to do this. The only way I can begin to convey this love to you is to say that there was simply nothing else there. Nothing but love. No hint of judgment, no displeasure of any sort. It is as though God sees us as being as perfect as we were the day we were created. It is only in our confused idea of ourselves that we seem to have changed.

I hope this is of some help to you. Good luck. Love and blessings.

Your brother don

Answer 2

I see your logic, and I think a lot of non-believers feel this way. I wouldn't necessarily say that the belief in God is a delusion, but rather a choice. It may not make much sense to some people, granted. I think the reason that people dismiss Santa Claus is because we find out or are told at some time that Santa isn't real. There is no North Pole and he doesn't come down chimneys. Now if religion was based on something that could be easily disproven that it might not be so popular, but religion is based on faith not evidence. These two different figures - Santa and God - hold weight on different grounds. Having said that, I'm agnostic and I think that you raise an interesting line of inquiry. I hope you get to hear some thoughtful answers.

Answer 3

Good question.
I really enjoy seeing irrational god botherers and bible bashers getting worked up over fair questions like this.
I know they're both unlikely concepts but looking at things logically (something with these religious types don't seem to be able to do) then Santa is more likely to be true. Although I can't comprehend how one person could get round the homes of all the world's children in one night, I'd say its a much more likely story than one person (or 'being' or 'entity' or whatever you want to call it) being able to create the entire world in 7 days from jack sh!t.
And for those that claim the bible is proof - how can this be? It's a book which has been translated and rewritten loads of times by people with their own agendas. In a thousand years, if someone finds a copy of the Beano will Dennis the Menace be revered as the new messiah? Wake up and smell the coffee.

I'll see you all in Hell.

Answer 4

I knew from the cradle, there is no santa, my parents never lied to me about that, or anything else. I call my father a realist, some call him an athiest. So I know athiests are good people, follow the laws, and have love in their hearts for thier family, and show love to the community by being a good citizen or samaritan. Incidentally, samaritans were hated by the jews because they thought they were athiests. Manasseh, in the old testament, turned his back on God, so people looked on him as a godless man or athiest.

Answer 5

each to his own I suppose. If you consider god to be a "fantasy figure" such as santa I suppose they both do the same thing. Santa gives hope and joy to young children and regardless of whether god is real or not he brings hope, joy, morals and many other things in to the lives of those who believe. I am a catholic although I have my doubts. I think the bible is a fantastic tool for instilling morals into children.

Answer 6

Well only yesterday i had a similar day, i posted a question about it, the way i see it is, the gods are playing chess with us, they move us in one direction and its all good, but then they move us in another direction and all kinds of crap start happening. Yesterday my car let me down, some asshole drove out in front of me and nearly caused a crash ( im only driving a while so my heart nearly burst outta my chest), i was at home later in the day making dinner when everything fell to the floor, i mean whats up with that, so i suggest going into a room and just scream, as loud as you want too, it worked for me yesterday, god doesnt hate us girl i think he just tests us every now and then, maybe tomorrow he will move on to someone else, lol.

Answer 7

The Jesuits say, " give me a child till he's seven and I'll give you the man " This in many ways is self explanatory. It's clear that the indoctrination is complete by then. Some people refuse to grow up and accept responsibility for there own lives. Thus the reliance on an imaginary friend to help with the reality of living !

Answer 8

I believe in Santa, who is this god person, does she act on a TV drama.

Santa only tells you to be good
.
This God with many names, has far more rules, that the leaders of each generation rewrite to their own use, and make war on each other.

So I will stick with Santa, a fat happy man with rosy red cheeks from eating mushrooms. Yes Santa's red coat is from a red and white hallucinogenic mushroom. No wonder he's so happy. Funny they don't tell you that often.

So be good

Answer 9

Yes, priming children to believe the impossible in order to be rewarded. Santa= presents or coal. Jesus= heaven or hell.

I decided long ago I would never lie to my children about a man flying around the world and coming through the chimney to give them presents - because he's been WATCHING them to make sure they are being obedient.

Kids can enjoy holidays without being made into "beleivers".

Answer 10

How can you say "no more santa" ? This is as far fetched as saying "no more Peter Pan, no more Harry Potter, no more Bilbo The Hobbit, no more Jesus, no more Noah's ark " etc....
People need fantasies and yes many have a delusional disorder as defined in DSM-IV 291.7
By the answers you will get, you will see that those delusions are really important to untreated people.

Answer 11

The Santa delusion is easy to get out of, seeing as your friends, parents and everyone around you acknowledge the fact that Santa is not real.

Unfortunately when it comes to "god" the people who gave you the story are just as ignorant as the rest of society and they will never tell you it is time to move on. Apparently people are no longer born with the capability of rational thought either.