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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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!

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”.

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”.

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

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.

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.

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.