Just wondering if atheists tell their children the fables of Santa, Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. And if you do, why? And if you don't, what do you tell your children when they hear other kids in school talk about what Santa gave them or how much money the Tooth Fairy put under their pillow?
If you don't participate in these fables of childhood tales, do you think your children miss out on something that other children get from these stories? These fables, like others, are basically lies and we shouldn't lie, especially to our children. They need to trust us. But isn't there a fun in anticipating what Santa and Easter bunny will give us? And if your child grows up and decides to believe that God exists, are they actually doing harm to themselves?
What are your thoughts? Would appreciate pure, deep honesty. Thanks!
2007-05-19 15:44:32 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Personally, I would think that Santa Claus would be problematic for an Atheist.
Based upon a Saint, Santa acknowledges religion.
Saint Nicholas
Sant -N-Claus
Santa Claus
Same name, just "slurred."
2007-05-19 15:51:51 · answer #1 · answered by Bobby Jim 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
I am Christian, but when I found out that Santa Claus wasn't real, I was so mad that I decided that I wouldn't lie to my kids about that and that I would tell them that Santa Claus didn't exist. But now I realize that Christmas and Easter have become so commercial that they would come home from school and ask why Santa and the Easter Bunny went to all the other kids' houses and not to ours. Also, they would probably tell all their friends that there was no such thing and that would upset a lot of kids (and parents). So I believe in those holidays, and I don't like the idea of lying to little kids, but that's the way it is.
2007-05-19 15:54:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would say, yes ... most atheists will tell their kids the fables of Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy. These are fun stories and a big part of growing up. They have nothing to do with religion.
2007-05-19 15:50:00 · answer #3 · answered by knowmeansknow 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Of course I tell them about Santa and the Easter bunny.I'm not going to take away their childhood.Good Lord I grew up with all of it so did my parents etc..It didn't make them believe or not believe anything.I don't remember be "crushed " When I found out there wasn't a Santa .And it sure didn't scar me for life.I just knew that I could ask for a little more the next year with out excuses! LOL People try to take the fun out of being a kid.Now the schools around here don't want the kids to have cakes or desserts anymore cause it isn't good for them.Give me a break.they want to take Christmas concerts and parties out too.But what most don't even realize is it has all turned pretty much Pagan anyway.They worship Santa and toys or money.If you teach your kids the important stuff, like Love, respect, manners.Not just teach it but live it.You aren't going to scar them by telling the about a fat guy in a red suit.Or a bunny that likes to color eggs.Come on.There is way to much other stuff out there that they have to worry about .Let them be little they don't stay that way for long.Oh yeah by the way my kids,they do know the real reason for the season.
God Bless
2007-05-19 16:15:07 · answer #4 · answered by Christal 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well there are folks that will say, "I know what I'll get you for Christmas" and it's like some light bulb goes off in their head and they keep it to themselves.
This is an ideal way to make life style planning with a new boyfriend or girlfriend that helps them feel secure like there is something to wait and look forward to.
This is a form of friend making in elementary schools when they ask what their friend will get them for their birthday...a definate conversation starter for girls.
it's also a money manipulation.
People say that they "don't want to take away their children's childhood" by giving them all the gifts,(and you know it's gifts that they mean in this statement) but that's a biased answer and excuse... good for the psychology industry but bad for the children and the planet.
This really implies that children need a sense of belief, and something to look forward to but they can get those things through religion, a good routine, dreams of a realistic adulthood and others. What's best is taking them and teaching them to respect rabbits. Teaching them instead and only practicing the principle of the Saint. Nicolas of sharing (not Gift giving).
But I say that the amount that is produced every year for the same thing every year, is a waste and when there is no more plastic deposits in the earth, or iron, or metal, or whatever they make things for these occasions out of, then they will pay people to dig through landfills to find these things to send to recycling. If not, then the former part will become and people will have to learn to live like they did in the earlier eras.
Only everyone would be smarter and would focus on learning teaching and sharing instead of creating and wasting.
2007-05-19 19:01:15 · answer #5 · answered by littleblanket 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You made a good point: Santa Claus, etc are okay for small children, but adults should know better, and that includes belief in any gods or demons.
For any adult to actually believe in the literal existence of some sky-fairy is absolutely ridiculous, and it *does* do harm to both the believers and their neighbors. Religious conflict has made (and continues to make) human history far more bloody than it would have been otherwise. Religion doesn't stop there, however; it also fights against scientific, social and moral progress whenever it can. The "good" religion does is far outweighed by the EVIL.
2007-05-19 15:54:06 · answer #6 · answered by hznfrst 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Who cares? Shouldn't the question rather be, "What does Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy have to do with any religion?"
As far as I (I'm a Christian) have found, there are no traces of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny (and no, I don't think Peter Rabbit was one of the apostles,) or the Tooth Fairy in my bible.
As this is the case, why would an atheist really care?
2007-05-19 16:02:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
I'm not religious, nor an agnostic, nor an atheist (it's hard to catagorize my stance).
My experience with sensible atheists is that they DON'T tell their children these stories, except AS stories, and if they do celebrate and do these things, they do them as cultural traditions, not belief systems.
They are respectful of the beliefs of others and ask their children not to dissuade other children of their beliefs, but they don't hide their own stance on the issue.
It's the atheists who have a need to convert others to their belief that God does not exist that don't do this. That's a different brand of atheism altogether, just as silly as Christians or any other religious group that tries to treat others as stupid because they don't believe.
Belief is a choice, and CAN'T have much to do with intelligence (or lack of) because it is about things one cannot prove or test.
I'm so glad we can have all of them here in the United States. Freedom is wonderful.
2007-05-19 15:51:41 · answer #8 · answered by mckenziecalhoun 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't have children,
but when I do, I plan to let them enjoy all those things...
I will also teach my children about Jesus and the Buddha and their teachings...
But as they get older, just like Santa and the Easter Bunny...I will tell them that those stories are just ways to teach young people about life and being good.
2007-05-19 15:50:56 · answer #9 · answered by Julian X 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I don't see the harm in letting young children believe in Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny while they're young...as long as you break the news to them that they don't actually exist, at some point.
What I do see harm in is adults believing in that which cannot be proven, and attempting to make federal laws based on those beliefs.
2007-05-19 15:54:16 · answer #10 · answered by Adam G 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋