Why do christians often confuse their children by first converting them to one religion and then another?

Question

I have a little story. First of all; both my parents were christian and tried to raise me accordingly. Now, a religion is defined as: A specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. I was told that every christmas, a man named Santa Claus miraculously fit down our chimney for the sole purpose of giving me presents but only if I was good for the year, the amount of these conditional presents were also dependant on my age and my parents income strangely enough. Aged five, I shared a set of beliefs and practises with many other children regarding Santa Claus, beliefs containing a moral code governing the conduct of my affairs. Aged five I had a religion: Santa Clausism. Later, I was told about how Jesus died and God loves me. At eleven I systematically went from disbelieving in Santa then Jesus. My parnets have no problem with the former disbelief. Why would that be?

The Instigator, What!?! Wait, are you saying that Jesus murdered Santa Claus? NOooooo!!!!

And yes, technically Santa-Clausism IS in fact a religion.

Maybe we should refer to him as Santa Christ?

Answer 1

Hmmm Santa or Jesus?

Santa: sneaks into my house once a year to deliver my Jelly-of-the-month-club membership, takes only a glass of milk and a few cookies.

Jesus: Shoves his hand down my pocketbook every payday looking for his 10%. Leaves me nothing but a book full of bad advice and bogus fairy tales to believe in.


I'll take Santa.

Answer 2

Perhaps it's the way some parents explain it to their children. Because I was told about Santa as a child, and I was also taught about Jesus. As I've said in another response to a similar question, when I was told that Santa wasn't real, I wasn't crushed or anything; it kind of made sense to me. But I was never confused between Santa Claus and Jesus. I was always able to differentiate between what's real and what's not. (And today's the first time I've ever heard Santa referred to as a 'religion', which is inaccurate.)

As I grew up I heard about and was told about other religions, and the fact that some don't believe in God. Even with all the so-called arguments, nothing has shaken my faith in Him. If someone is told about God & Jesus and refuses to believe, then that's their choice. There's no other way they can be helded, except in prayer. They'll have to accept responsibility for that when they face God.

Answer 3

Someone explained this to me only recently. The thing is, when Jesus died on the cross, he erased the need for Santa Claus by washing us of our sins. Santa Claus was only there to stop children from sinning throughout the year. Now Santa is dead, I believe killed by either the Grinch or the Abominable Snowman. Can't remember; watch Christmas specials to verify that one. Rudolph saved the day, though, and I'm not sure how this fits in with Jesus but just let Jesus into your heart, okay? Also there's someone named Luther but it's not the Luther from Superman. Depending on your belief Luther is either a good guy or a bad guy.

Answer 4

Just like anyone else, when they find a belief doesn't work or is no longer believable then they drop it or exchange it. We tend to grow up being told what to believe. Then many people will tweak or change their beliefs several times throughout their lifetime due to their experiences and reading material showing them different beliefs that seem to ring more true.

Churches also often change a little in tone and tenants with new priests or pastors that cycle though. As for Santa, I cant remember how young I was when I shifted from thinking there was an actual man to just following the idea of giving that his example promoted.

Answer 5

There is such a thing as the age of accountability, and Christians have a variety of ways of dealing with the question of whether a person would gain salvation if they died before that age and had not accepted Christ. The Roman Catholic church, as I understand it, handles the question through Infant Baptism followed by confirmation. The issue of adult baptism addresses other scriptural challenges but makes the age-of-consent problem worse. But my own belief is that you cannot become a Christian - actually, can't have a true religion - util you are old enough to understand the rudiments of the religion.

And, though your facetiousness about secular Christmas traditions constituting a religion are cute, don't expect us to believe you really BELIEVE that. Or that you don't comprehend your parents expressed opinion. Nice try, but no cigar.

Answer 6

My mom is a strict Greek Orthodox and my father is a Puerto Rican atheist (in spite of the certainty that he grew to become into Catholic while they met). They have been married in a Greek church with a Greek Orthodox ceremony, crowns and all. they are nevertheless going solid after 25 years. It particularly relies upon on the persons in contact, and how open-minded they are. additionally, that grew to become right into an prolonged time in the past. church homes won't be so accepting now, yet i'm constructive you may have the potential to discover one that could marry you 2. it particularly is unlike you're Jewish or Muslim or yet another faith it particularly is critically diverse.

Answer 7

I believe in the free will. I believe that God protects children until the age of accountability. It is wrong to use children's innocent faith in parents to confuse them.

Answer 8

Wait.....Santa Claus isn't real?