Christian parents: do you lie to your children? (santa claus and such)?

Question

i am no parent, but one day maybe. does the Bible say what to say when your child asks where babies come from? i dont think they are supposed to know. but discussion please.

i'm not saying that you actually tell them where babies come from.

i'm not criticizing those who do tell their children about santa. i lie is a lie. just if there was an exception or something. and i dont think it is a sin to tell them about santa

Answer 1

I try my best not to lie to my children. Even when I make mac and cheese with eggs and cheddar cheese, and my son asks me if there are eggs and cheddar cheese in it, I tell him yes. I have to make his separately, because he doesn't like eggs or cheddar cheese (it's a long story).

I know it doesn't sound like much, but if I choked on something and died after having lied to him, I'd go to hell for it.

I know you're thinking what kind of God would send a mother to hell for telling what is considered a "white lie"? God doesn't like liars, period. Read Revelation 21:8. ALL liars will have their part in the lake of fire.

Is that where you want to spend eternity?

Answer 2

No, we never lied to our children. I have some fairly strong feelings about this. I believe that if you lie to your children in fun, they won't trust you when it counts. As far as telling children where babies come from, I think I can answer that question without compromising their age. I would tell them that God sometimes starts a baby in a mother's body when the mother and father express their love for each other in marriage (I will explain about the rest later). Strangely, this never came up in our family. Maybe that's because we have seven children, so they figured it out. You might want to take a look at my link on Santa. It goes into detail about why I think Christians should not teach about Santa.

Answer 3

No, I do not lie to them.

That being said, I did, before my salvation. At that time, that Christmas, I repented to them and told them the truth, and now, Christmas is a time of celebration in our Lord's birth, instead of a party for a lie giving gifts.

As for where babies come from, etc., there is no need to lie their either. When children ask these things, it is important to answer them on their level, but to tell the truth as well. For instance, if a very young child was asking where babies come from, a simple answer such as that they come from a mommy and daddy loving eachother would be truthful, as well as answer them on a level they can understand. As they grow and ask more, more information is provided.

Great question for those who may have children and struggle with these things. There is no excuse for a lie, and no lie is a "white" lie, or little. God's word tells us that even in breaking one of the smallest laws, we are guilty of all.

God bless.

Answer 4

It isn't lying. I had no idea people were so critical of Santa Claus that they feel it is lying to children. I've not known a single person to have a meltdown over Santa, or to not believe their parents later on. Most of the people I know, even surprisingly Jewish people, celebrated Christmas with Santa for fun.

It didn't make me not believe in God, it didn't make my sister not believe either, nor my cousins. It didn't make me hate my parents for "lying". So what's the big idea? The thing it brought to me was fun memories, great family moments. Heck, we all got to be Santa once we were older. We would sign big ticket or shocking gifts from HO HO HO. lol. Even if it was to our parents.

My Jewish friends celebrated Santa, though not the religious aspect. They put more of an emphasis on their holidays.

I'm a Christian, and I intend to tell my children of Santa so we can all create memories of great family Christmas times.

I think if a kid knew the truth about Santa at a young age, when others believed, then they would be left out of a lot of things. They wouldn't have anything to share when the teacher asked kids what they got for Christmas. They would ruin the fun of the other kids by telling them the truth. Other parents would become upset that their 5yr old found out so young. It's just a bad situation.

As for where babies come from, young kids can be told that they come from their mommies, from inside their belly. No need to go into specific details until they reach puberty.

I never saw Santa as my parents lying to me, but as the magic of Christmas.

Answer 5

No, I don't lie to my daughter. I did until she was about 3 years old and I felt so guilty lying to her. I knew it wasn't right to lie about Santa Clause and the other fictional characters. I waited till 6 months away from Christmas to break it to her so she wouldn't be anticipating the holiday. I wanted to let her down easy. I told her I was sorry for lying and I would try my best from then on to be honest with her.

As for the "where do babies come?" question, I told her also when she was young. you don't have to go into all the sick details but when they are young, you can just say that "mommies and daddies, with the help of God, put them in mommies bellies (the uterus is in the belly area) to grow until it is time to be born" If they continue, there are tactful ways to keep it simple and still tell the truth. There are no standards in the Bible or rules to say exactly how to handle these questions except that we shouldn't lie. As a parent, you know your child best and know how much they can handle at any given time. All children are different and should be treated like individuals.

We don't even celebrate Christmas anymore because it is based on lies. Christ could not have been born in December because it is the rainy season in that part of the world. The Bible says the Shepard's were out tending their flocks by night, this would not have happened during the rainy season. After much research, I found out the only reason it was placed in December was because the Roman Catholic Church during the dark ages, was forcing everyone to become Catholic..... The pagans didn't want to give up their festivals and celebrations. In order to get the pagans more interested in joining the church, they took their festival (with all it's traditions) to the sun god and changed it into a celebration to the Son of God's birth.

I personally celebrate Hanukkah (Feast of dedication which is in the winter) because it is at least mentioned once in the Bible and we KNOW the dates for that.( John 10:22-23) " Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter. and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade." So even Jesus was in the Temple for Hanukkah. The date of Jesus birth is unknown. If we were meant to celebrate it, wouldn't God have made it clear when it was? Instead, he made it clear when it WASN'T.... so we would know that Christmas is Just a pagan holiday with a Christian name pasted on it.

Answer 6

No, I didn't lie to my children. Playing Santa is fun but I never told them that he was real. When they were old enough to ask, I told them that he was like Frosty the Snow Man and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, pretend and part of Christmas fun. Santa still comes to our house.

Where do babies come from, mommies tummies, of course. When older, then it can be detail discussed age appropriately because it is the way God planned reproduction and a new life.

I am a Christian. My husband, myself, our children and grandchildren celebrate the good news of Christ's birth, life, death and resurrection everyday.

Answer 7

have you seen the new show Bionic woman? They discussed this question this week. Does trust and responsibility equal full disclosure? No it does not.

I however tell my kids that santa is not real but they can enjoy the santa and other stories as fiction.

Last year when my son turned 8 I told him the most basic of where babies come from, without too much detail.

Answer 8

i'm a believer in Christ and do tell my toddlers approximately Jesus' birthday, it relatively is easily around the third of December, and we actually celebrate the holiday on the twenty 5th. I in no way observed it as undesirable parenting to tell my childrens while they have been youthful approximately santa. All 4 of my angels now be attentive to there's no longer a santa, yet in no way have puzzled why I advised them there grew to become into one. comparable with the easter bunny and enamel fairy. As they have been given older and requested me if there relatively have been any of those magical holiday people I advised them easily "no" they are not actual. i do no longer think regardless of the undeniable fact that there is something incorrect with persevering with the phantasm to toddlers, it provides them in some way wish, enthusiasm, exhilaration, and innovative strategies. it relatively is superb to be as truthful as available with toddlers, yet they too do no longer constantly have the means or understanding of what if completely occurring, so we ought to as mom and dad gently convey them up till they're greater waiting to administration and comprehend.

Answer 9

No way,

why would we lie to our children?, we are to educate them in the Word of God.
Neither would I make my children eat of dirty dishes..

There is a time for explaining things like where babies come from, and a part of the education is patience...so they will have to wait until the time is right.

There are many thing they do not need to know at present time, and there is absolutely nothing wrong in not satisfying their desire to know.

May God be with us in this difficult but lovely task of having children.

In Christian Love

Answer 10

In a perfect world but children need to learn some things the hard way ,on their own. I don't regret being lied to and receiving presents but I wish religion hadn't made such a fool of me even though I knew better I trusted adults without question now I know better . I've only myself to blame for not doubting all even the presidents like Nixon who make insolence a virtue.