What are the similarities and differences between belief in Santa Clause for children and religious beliefs?

Question

I give you a head start of what I could come up with:

Similarities: Both Children who believe in Santa Clause and religious adults don't like to be told that their beliefs are wrong.

Differences: Children will eventually grow-up and come to understand that Santa doesn't exist, but Religious adults will never come to this point in their lives.

What do you think?

Answer 1

Well, belief in Santa is a religious belief. He is seen as an immortal, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent supernatural being who punishes bad behavior and rewards good behavior. Children leave offerings of milk and cookies to him. Favors are asked of him. He embodies archetypal forces and universal principals of generosity, joy, charity, merriment, and love. Santa is a God. I never did understand why Christians give their children one god, and then try to switch gods on them as they grow up. Can only lead to confusion, I think. Wouldn't they be better off if they stuck with Santa?

Answer 2

Geist... When a child pretends and uses their imagination, without use of any physical items and having a tea party, they know the difference between THAT "reality" and the reality of having an actual snack or meal with utensils, food, etc.,.

When we were children we may have known that mommy and daddy worked and got their checks and bought things, but, it isn't till we are older that we understood everything about those things.

My grandson knows it costs money to buy things, however, he thinks $1 will pay for anything he wants!

LOL There's a difference. :)

The main difference about the two...Santa Claus VS Believing in a God or Savior, is that, believing is only a beginning when it comes to "religious" beliefs. You have to give YOUR ALL to receive THEIR ALL.... a lot of people "believe", not all are convinced of what they believe. :)

Answer 3

Biggest difference...one day the children will creep out of their beds to spy on Santa and see their father's hairy @$$ putting gifts under the tree and eating the cookies...

People with religious beliefs will never wake up to the sight of their father's hair @$$ creating a universe out of nothing....

Answer 4

Santa Claus is the more commercial part of Christmas, but in my eyes he resembles love, giving, and happiness, but in a more commercial and fun way

The religious part of Christmas teaches us to remember the birth of Jesus Christ . That give us hope, happiness, peace, and joy. It also teaches us love and also teaches us to give to others.

Answer 5

Both children and religious adults will try to convince you that they're right.

Answer 6

Similarities:

Santa Claus has a nice (Christmas gifts) list and naughty (no Christmas gifts) list.

Non-profit religion has a nice (heaven) list and naughty (hell) list.

Conclusion: God is Santa Claus. No other conclusions are possible.

Answer 7

Children get rewarded with presents, there is no reward for religious belief except loosing your money

Answer 8

Here's what I think. I think you're grasping at straws because you don't have enough straw to build a real straw man to tear down.

Let me ask you the same KIND of question. "What are the similarities and the differences when you leave the living room curtains open, and when you close them, before you abuse your children?"

Perhaps YOU are the one who needs a reality adjustment. By mocking, skoffing and criticizing what you obviously know nothing about, you demonstrate your low IQ and inability to ask intelligent questions.

Answer 9

Childhood and adulthood are the differences.


When you become adult you can use your own reason and thus believe in God.