Is Santa a mini religion for kids?

Soldato
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When we want young kids to behave at Christmas we tell them that if they are naughty then they will be put on the naughty list and if they are good they will be rewarded with presents by santa.

We do this knowing that there is no such person as Santa yet we are willing to use this as a way of controlling our kids. And it works.

Is this any different to religion?
 
Religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of life and the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a supernatural agency,[1] or human beings’ relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, spiritual, or divine.[2] Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life. They tend to derive morality, ethics, religious laws or a preferred lifestyle from their ideas about the cosmos and human nature.

So you're partially right I suppose. But Santaism isn't really concerned with the cause, nature or purpose of life, and neither does it have a bible. Then again, you could argue it either way really.
 
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Off topic slightly
Parents tell this lie to there kids every year for as long as the kids believe it yet If the child tells the parent lies they are disappointed in their children and tell them its wrong. What makes this an ok thing to do?
 
Off topic slightly
Parents tell this lie to there kids every year for as long as the kids believe it yet If the child tells the parent lies they are disappointed in their children and tell them its wrong. What makes this an ok thing to do?

Because it makes the children happy.
 
No it's not a religion to kids. It's delivered via the medium of parents. Whereas, in religion it's a directly to God. Also, I'm sure that parents don't threaten their kids all year round with Santa. They just start in November :D
 
I'm fond of Terry Pratchett's take on this, as noted in The Hogfather - Death says that we have to learn to believe the little lies, like the Hogfather (Santa Claus) and the Tooth Fairy, so that we can believe the big lies later on - justice, mercy, duty, all the things that exist only because we believe in them.
 

Difference of interpretation and putting a negative spin on things, but meh, fair enough. To be honest a large part of me is inclined to agree as I was really hacked off with my parents for having lied to me, as I perceived it at the time. Now I have kids of my own I have to do my best to be excited about pretending about something that really bothered me in the past!
 
Magic only happens when you believe.
Make kids believe and watch the magic of Xmas and Santa. It's great.
 
Magic only happens when you believe.
Make kids believe and watch the magic of Xmas and Santa. It's great.

Stephanie Meyers? Is that you? Stephanie, how many times do we have to go over this. Just because you believe your work to be the greatest fictional prose since Romeo and Juliet doesn't make it true. Come now Stephanie, put down the pen, take a shower, go outside. There there. :P
 
When we want young kids to behave at Christmas we tell them that if they are naughty then they will be put on the naughty list and if they are good they will be rewarded with presents by santa.

We do this knowing that there is no such person as Santa yet we are willing to use this as a way of controlling our kids. And it works.

Is this any different to religion?

I hate to break it to you but Santa Claus and his other incarnations are symbols of both pagan and christian religions anyway.
 
I hate to break it to you but Santa Claus and his other incarnations are symbols of both pagan and christian religions anyway.

Symbols of Paganism and Christianity? I challenge thee to find even a single example of a religion that claims the modern day Santa Clause as its own.

Though the origins of St Nic may or may not be in Christianity i assure you the commercialised fun fest we know and love as Santa Clause's christmas has no affiliation with Christianity whatsoever. Christmas to the Christian is about the birth of Christ. Whether or not a parent buys into the 'moral message' of santa clause is each to their own.
 
When we want young kids to behave at Christmas we tell them that if they are naughty then they will be put on the naughty list and if they are good they will be rewarded with presents by santa.

We do this knowing that there is no such person as Santa yet we are willing to use this as a way of controlling our kids. And it works.

Is this any different to religion?

I think you are taking it all far to seriously!
 
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