I don't mean to offend anybody with this question, it's just something I was thinking. Santa Claus is considered by children to be omniscient (he knows everything everybody does). He is also powerful enough to violate the laws of physics (he delivers presents all around the world in a single night, and is capable of climbing up chimneys despite his size).
He is benevolent (he gives good people presents) but also punishes the wicked (with coal). Santa also sets up a system of reward and punishment based on one's moral virtue.
In light of all these similarities, is it possible that the reason the myth of Santa Claus survives is because it prepares children to believe in God?
2007-12-12 01:56:00 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jon: I'm not trying to equate Santa and God. I'm saying that the concept of God is a difficult one for children to understand, and having an anthropomorphic character exhibit some of the same traits as God allows them to understand those traits (and also understand the concept of long-term punishment and reward).
2007-12-12 02:03:07 · update #1
There are too many excellent responses to this question for me to choose a best answer, so I'm putting it to a vote.
2007-12-13 02:52:55 · update #2
Santa: The gateway drug. Lol!
2007-12-12 01:58:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 10⤊ 7⤋
Santa is a figure of fun and joy for children. God is an entity that when they grow up, children will decide whether to live their lives with. Parents must encourage any beliefs a child has so long as they're not damaging. But then they shouldn't force THEIR beliefs on a child either. When it comes to Santa, this is just part of the childhood experience.
2016-05-23 05:11:09 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, a parental belief in god prepares the children for belief in god. Santa goes hand in hand as the original Saint Nicholas was sainted unted christianity.
It teaches children to believe in immaginary things that eventually turn out to hurt the child in the end when they find out that it is not real... just as when they convert or deprogram themselves to become atheist.
2007-12-12 10:12:27 · answer #3 · answered by Judo Chop 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely, except they are usually being indoctrinated about god at the same time. The difference is, when children get older, they find out the truth about how the presents got there, and that Santa's just a made-up character. I wish it would work that way with religion. God is Santa Claus for adults, and it amazes me that more people don't see the similarities in the mythology. I also don't understand why they outgrow one and not the other.
2007-12-12 02:03:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
I see what you mean. But you are missing something essential! Santa did not die for our sins. You left that part out. I am not one of those people who refuses to let kids believe in Santa. It's a good idea, but no matter how hard you pray to him...He won't answer. Santa did not create the world and cannot answer our prayers.
2007-12-12 02:05:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Interesting; never thought of it like that. To me Santa survives because when one grows past the man in the red suit the feeling of love and wonder that Santa gives children remains through adulthood. People who felt that want their children to feel that, too. That's as far as I had taken the idea.
2007-12-12 02:12:50 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I know the indoctrination begins well before they even comprehend who, or what, santa is. By the time they realize that there is no such thing as santa, the "other" indoctrination is complete and they have a difficult time shaking belief in that imaginary creature.
Perhaps if people dressed up as god and hung around shopping malls every so often more people would realize that there is no god and that it is all a sham, just like there is no santa.
2007-12-12 02:06:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Depends on which God. I still like Santa, the ol' Holly King of yore.
2007-12-12 02:08:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was taught about God before I knew about Santa. I remember stories about Jesus before I saw my dad dress up as Santa and I remember asking my mom if Jesus told Santa my thoughts. I never thought he was omniscient, I just thought he had a wickedly accurate camera lens through my room while he watched if I obeyed my parents and stayed in bed.
The Easter Bunny also used to leave me money Vishal, and I used to chase him on Easter in my best Sunday dress. I'm so glad my parents allowed me those magical elements in my childhood as those are the fondest memories I have.
2007-12-12 02:02:38 · answer #9 · answered by Hope 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I like this question, however i do not think that it helps a child beleive in god, children are by default programmed to beleive whatever is told to them, and the god / santa thing gets kinda thrown on them at the same time, however rejecting the idea of santa as a little child had a huge effect on me rejecting other such fantasies like god
2007-12-12 02:01:30 · answer #10 · answered by Seargent Gork 3 · 1⤊ 4⤋
No. There are many MANY religious types that do NOT endorse a belief in Santa at all. And there are many atheists and nontheists that endorse a belief in Santa. So right there, your theory is shot.
2007-12-12 02:04:06 · answer #11 · answered by ♛Qu€€n♛J€§§¡¢a♛™ 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋