If you don’t celebrate Christmas...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“But , really there is no old man with a beard driving reindeer sleigh flying in the sky giving out present for free all over the world.

Fantasy is fantasy. You can’t keep you kid in the world of fantasy forever. Reality will hit him sooner than later.”

If you are not Christian then I would couch it as simply part of the other family’s Religion and it is very rude to tell other people that things they believe are not true and/or make run of them. That you would not want other people to do that about your faith so they should not do it to others. Yes I realize this is not a piece REALLY of the Christ story but it is so closely entwined with Christmas (a religious holiday) that I would present it this way to my kids to explain WHY they should not say Santa is not real.

Santa has nothing to do with Christ or Christianity or religion or faith. What is wrong with you? it is like the Easter Bunny or tooth fairy. It isn't real and has nothing at all, zero, zilch to do with faith. You are woefully ignorant about Christianity. Many atheists and agnostics and people across a range of faiths get pictures with Santa or put presents from Santa.

The lack of self awareness in some of these posts is just staggering. Are you for real?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Santa is a cultural phenomenon, not Christian. I have lots of nonreligious friends who celebrate Santa because it’s fun, and they do it around Christmas because that’s when you celebrate Santa. My family growing up and was not religious and we had a huge Christmas celebration because my atheist parents like Christmas traditions.

I actually think the people who are nuts about Santa are not terribly religious, so don’t understand why people here are acting like pushing Santa is pushing religion. And I don’t think celebrating Christmas/Santa makes you Christian. In fact, I think in more religious communities, there is an emphasis on Jesus at Christmas time. We are a catholic family and I talk about presents being a celebration of Jesus’ birthday, the wise men bringing gifts, etc. I don’t tell my kids Santa doesn’t exist, but when they ask about gifts or Santa I remind them about why we celebrate Christmas.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can only control yourself so focus on yourself and what you can do - not other people. Start making plans on what YOU will say to your kid if someone says that to your kid. Something akin to whatever you say about all the different Santa’s at the mall or whatever works.

Remind yourself that you’re lying to your kid and there are consequences that come with that.

Here we go. There’s always one. There are no bad consequences of having believed in Santa as a child.

+1000. No consequences here either.

Wow. The point flew over your heads. The consequence of you lying to your kid is that someone else could tell them the truth... You know, the whole premise of this thread - parents getting mad that other people aren’t helping them lie to their kids about Santa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please instruct your kid to stop telling other kids there’s no such thing as Santa. Super annoying and super disrespectful.

Nope - sorry. If you wanna indoctrinate your kids with nonsense that’s your business but don’t expect my kids to be your accomplices.

[Anonymous]

“Santa has nothing to do with Christ or Christianity or religion or faith. What is wrong with you? it is like the Easter Bunny or tooth fairy. It isn't real and has nothing at all, zero, zilch to do with faith. You are woefully ignorant about Christianity. “

I am Christian. Of course I know he is not tied into the Christ story (as I said in the message you replied to) although I do think he has become a symbol of Christmas, which is a Christian holiday. The fact that lots of atheists also culturally celebrate Christmas does not make it not a Christian holiday.

And what we are talking about is not a philosophical discussion of faith among grown ups - it is how to explain to small children not to say cruel things.

I would not tolerate my child telling a Jewish person that Hanukkah is a sham because there is no way oil would have lasted that long or that Passover is a crock because there is no “Angel of death” that kills only Egyptian babies. Because it is rude and disrespectful to do that. And I think this “respect for other religions” approach would resonate more strongly with my kids than if I just said “it’s a secret” or “it’s a lie so go ahead and say what you want”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Santa has nothing to do with Christ or Christianity or religion or faith. What is wrong with you? it is like the Easter Bunny or tooth fairy. It isn't real and has nothing at all, zero, zilch to do with faith. You are woefully ignorant about Christianity. “

I am Christian. Of course I know he is not tied into the Christ story (as I said in the message you replied to) although I do think he has become a symbol of Christmas, which is a Christian holiday. The fact that lots of atheists also culturally celebrate Christmas does not make it not a Christian holiday.

And what we are talking about is not a philosophical discussion of faith among grown ups - it is how to explain to small children not to say cruel things.

I would not tolerate my child telling a Jewish person that Hanukkah is a sham because there is no way oil would have lasted that long or that Passover is a crock because there is no “Angel of death” that kills only Egyptian babies. Because it is rude and disrespectful to do that. And I think this “respect for other religions” approach would resonate more strongly with my kids than if I just said “it’s a secret” or “it’s a lie so go ahead and say what you want”.

Right but some Jews actually believe in the story of Chanukah or Passover. I would never tell my child that Jesus is not real but rather explain that different people have different beliefs. The problem is, no one over the age of 10 believes in Santa. Santa is not a genuinely held religious belief that is entitled to respect. There are all kinds of problems with the Santa lie, not the least of which is that it leaves children from poor families wondering why Santa doesn't bring them the fancy gifts their friends get. No thank you, I'm not participating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Santa has nothing to do with Christ or Christianity or religion or faith. What is wrong with you? it is like the Easter Bunny or tooth fairy. It isn't real and has nothing at all, zero, zilch to do with faith. You are woefully ignorant about Christianity. “

I am Christian. Of course I know he is not tied into the Christ story (as I said in the message you replied to) although I do think he has become a symbol of Christmas, which is a Christian holiday. The fact that lots of atheists also culturally celebrate Christmas does not make it not a Christian holiday.

And what we are talking about is not a philosophical discussion of faith among grown ups - it is how to explain to small children not to say cruel things.

I would not tolerate my child telling a Jewish person that Hanukkah is a sham because there is no way oil would have lasted that long or that Passover is a crock because there is no “Angel of death” that kills only Egyptian babies. Because it is rude and disrespectful to do that. And I think this “respect for other religions” approach would resonate more strongly with my kids than if I just said “it’s a secret” or “it’s a lie so go ahead and say what you want”.

Exactly!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Santa has nothing to do with Christ or Christianity or religion or faith. What is wrong with you? it is like the Easter Bunny or tooth fairy. It isn't real and has nothing at all, zero, zilch to do with faith. You are woefully ignorant about Christianity. “

I am Christian. Of course I know he is not tied into the Christ story (as I said in the message you replied to) although I do think he has become a symbol of Christmas, which is a Christian holiday. The fact that lots of atheists also culturally celebrate Christmas does not make it not a Christian holiday.

And what we are talking about is not a philosophical discussion of faith among grown ups - it is how to explain to small children not to say cruel things.

I would not tolerate my child telling a Jewish person that Hanukkah is a sham because there is no way oil would have lasted that long or that Passover is a crock because there is no “Angel of death” that kills only Egyptian babies. Because it is rude and disrespectful to do that. And I think this “respect for other religions” approach would resonate more strongly with my kids than if I just said “it’s a secret” or “it’s a lie so go ahead and say what you want”.

Exactly!

NP. You guys are missing the point. If your kids tried to tell my kids that Hanukkah is a sham because oil doesn't last that long they would say Exactly! Oil doesn't last that long, but it did! A miracle from G-d! That is the whole point of the holiday.

Here's a tip. If your kid comes home and tells you someone said Santa isn't real, you could say "In our family we believe that he is." This is the kind of response that parents who observe non majority religions give their kids all. the. time. If you can't choke those words out, then you need to rethink what you are doing with the whole Santa thing anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“But , really there is no old man with a beard driving reindeer sleigh flying in the sky giving out present for free all over the world.

Fantasy is fantasy. You can’t keep you kid in the world of fantasy forever. Reality will hit him sooner than later.”

If you are not Christian then I would couch it as simply part of the other family’s Religion and it is very rude to tell other people that things they believe are not true and/or make run of them. That you would not want other people to do that about your faith so they should not do it to others. Yes I realize this is not a piece REALLY of the Christ story but it is so closely entwined with Christmas (a religious holiday) that I would present it this way to my kids to explain WHY they should not say Santa is not real.

Santa has nothing to do with Christ or Christianity or religion or faith. What is wrong with you? it is like the Easter Bunny or tooth fairy. It isn't real and has nothing at all, zero, zilch to do with faith. You are woefully ignorant about Christianity. Many atheists and agnostics and people across a range of faiths get pictures with Santa or put presents from Santa.

Last time I checked, Jews, Muslims and Hindus and other religions do not celebrate Christmas. Individuals may choose to but Christmas is a Christian holiday. I am Jewish not practicing and have never celebrated it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“But , really there is no old man with a beard driving reindeer sleigh flying in the sky giving out present for free all over the world.

Fantasy is fantasy. You can’t keep you kid in the world of fantasy forever. Reality will hit him sooner than later.”

If you are not Christian then I would couch it as simply part of the other family’s Religion and it is very rude to tell other people that things they believe are not true and/or make run of them. That you would not want other people to do that about your faith so they should not do it to others. Yes I realize this is not a piece REALLY of the Christ story but it is so closely entwined with Christmas (a religious holiday) that I would present it this way to my kids to explain WHY they should not say Santa is not real.

Santa has nothing to do with Christ or Christianity or religion or faith. What is wrong with you? it is like the Easter Bunny or tooth fairy. It isn't real and has nothing at all, zero, zilch to do with faith. You are woefully ignorant about Christianity. Many atheists and agnostics and people across a range of faiths get pictures with Santa or put presents from Santa.

Last time I checked, Jews, Muslims and Hindus and other religions do not celebrate Christmas. Individuals may choose to but Christmas is a Christian holiday. I am Jewish not practicing and have never celebrated it.

+1000%

Of course Santa has to do with religion. Are you kidding??? Atheists do not have Santa, nor do many other people of other faiths. It's your religion keep it at your house.

The original poster was annoyed someone told her DC about Santa. Yes, that is sad. On the other hand lying to your child????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please instruct your kid to stop telling other kids there’s no such thing as Santa. Super annoying and super disrespectful.

Don't lie to your kid.

Problem solved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Santa has nothing to do with Christ or Christianity or religion or faith. What is wrong with you? it is like the Easter Bunny or tooth fairy. It isn't real and has nothing at all, zero, zilch to do with faith. You are woefully ignorant about Christianity. “

I am Christian. Of course I know he is not tied into the Christ story (as I said in the message you replied to) although I do think he has become a symbol of Christmas, which is a Christian holiday. The fact that lots of atheists also culturally celebrate Christmas does not make it not a Christian holiday.

And what we are talking about is not a philosophical discussion of faith among grown ups - it is how to explain to small children not to say cruel things.

I would not tolerate my child telling a Jewish person that Hanukkah is a sham because there is no way oil would have lasted that long or that Passover is a crock because there is no “Angel of death” that kills only Egyptian babies. Because it is rude and disrespectful to do that. And I think this “respect for other religions” approach would resonate more strongly with my kids than if I just said “it’s a secret” or “it’s a lie so go ahead and say what you want”.

Exactly!

No it is not the same. You can’t prove either way about the oil. It’s provable right now who gave the Santa gifts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Santa has nothing to do with Christ or Christianity or religion or faith. What is wrong with you? it is like the Easter Bunny or tooth fairy. It isn't real and has nothing at all, zero, zilch to do with faith. You are woefully ignorant about Christianity. “

I am Christian. Of course I know he is not tied into the Christ story (as I said in the message you replied to) although I do think he has become a symbol of Christmas, which is a Christian holiday. The fact that lots of atheists also culturally celebrate Christmas does not make it not a Christian holiday.

And what we are talking about is not a philosophical discussion of faith among grown ups - it is how to explain to small children not to say cruel things.

I would not tolerate my child telling a Jewish person that Hanukkah is a sham because there is no way oil would have lasted that long or that Passover is a crock because there is no “Angel of death” that kills only Egyptian babies. Because it is rude and disrespectful to do that. And I think this “respect for other religions” approach would resonate more strongly with my kids than if I just said “it’s a secret” or “it’s a lie so go ahead and say what you want”.

Exactly!

No it is not the same. You can’t prove either way about the oil. It’s provable right now who gave the Santa gifts.

I agree that they are not the same but not so much because of what is probable but rather because of what is a genuinely held belief. Any religious belief that is genuinely held by members of a faith is quite different from a lie told to children, that all adults accept is not true, regardless of whether that lie has a connection to religion or not.

[Anonymous]

Tell your jerky kids not to go up to kids and say Santa isn’t real. Problem solved.

[Anonymous]

I really do not get why so many PPs are defending their kids being cruel by telling others there is no Santa. Do you encourage them to go around saying there is no tooth fairy too just to be mean?

It is not that hard to at least TRY to tell your kids not to say something to others. Maybe they obey and maybe they do not but to say you see no reason to even try is mind boggling.