Is Santa a mini religion for kids?

vanandjuanunited said:
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?
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:confused:
Because parents aren't children ([daily mail]usually[/daily mail]?

Adults have a responsibility to face the reality of the world and children do not. Also, children do not have sufficient understanding of the world to form fully informed opinions. Children are free to go wild in their imaginations, as long as the "lie" isn't damaging their ability to grow into functioning adults, why not?

This is like the question of whether we should use children's opinions on elections or global warming or whatever. No, no we should not.
 
Complete rubbish. How could a religion be based on a man with magical powers who is constantly watching over everyone, judging them either good or bad??? Hang on...
 
Yes it is just like a religion

dmpoole said:
I think Rypt should stand outside Grotto's upsetting children with the truth
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No need, as kids learn the truth pretty quickly anyway ... besides you can excuse kids who are not fully developed (mentally) to believe in things such as Santa, hell I know I did as a young kid.
 
M0NSTER said:
Because it makes the children happy.
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So because it makes their children happy they can lie and it makes it alright. So if I can make any one else happy but I lie about it does this make lying OK? :D

Santa is a belief for everyone to encourage present swapping and happy days to come. It brings a lot of tears to the country and also a lot of arguments. It does however make a lot of money for the likes of shops and government et al. ;)
 
icecold said:
Children are free to go wild in their imaginations, as long as the "lie" isn't damaging their ability to grow into functioning adults, why not?
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Because there is a big difference between a 'lie', and 'make believe' 'pretend' and 'imagine'.

I believe icecold smells like like soggy cabbage, may or may not be true

I imagine icecold smells liek soggy cabbage, never true because its only in my head
 
Op have you been smoking stuffing again, You are ment to eat it.....

Mini Religion? whaaaaaaat?????
 
iDroid84 said:
So because it makes their children happy they can lie and it makes it alright. So if I can make any one else happy but I lie about it does this make lying OK? :D
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Definition: White lie.

Age old example; some fat person asks, "Do I look good in this dress?", you say, "You look great!". Even if they look terrible.

Rather than; "Lose some weight tubloid".

Santa is a white lie, does no harm to anyone.
 
BunnyKillBot said:
Because there is a big difference between a 'lie', and 'make believe' 'pretend' and 'imagine'.

I believe icecold smells like like soggy cabbage, may or may not be true

I imagine icecold smells liek soggy cabbage, never true because its only in my head
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That entirely depends on the situation. Sometimes a "pretend" scenario requires the suspension of critical thought and reality to enjoy properly, resulting in a concenting participation in a "lie".

Don't be this guy :p


I think you're possibly missing my point. If the only consequence of a "lie" (which is far too strong a word to use in this scenario) is to add a little more happiness and magic to a situation then what's the harm?

To add more flesh to the above, it could clearly create problems to invent ficticious charactors and portray them as real to adults.

Let children have their Santas, Tooth Fairies, Justin Beibers and Easter Bunnies.

Also, I do need a shower :(
 
BunnyKillBot said:
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.
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You clearly know that he is venerated as a Saint, which should be enough of a religious link, surely...
 
BunnyKillBot said:
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
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I have absolutely no idea what you are going on about.
 
OldCoals said:
I think you are taking it all far to seriously!
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Ok maybe my tittle is a little off the mark. But there are direct comparisons between the way that religion is used as a way of controlling people. Just like Santa is for controlling kids.

TheCenturion said:
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
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Well I am going to try using it in January lol It's worked so well with my three year old on the build up to Christmas.

Wonder if it works with the Easter bunny? :D
 
Belief in 'santa' actually returns something for them, presents.
That's very different to religion.
 
vonhelmet said:
Parents know it's pretend. Religious believers trust the opposite.
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Fixed.

I think it comes down to fun. The argument that we tell kids about santa to make them behaved doesn't hold water, they'd probably just as behaved if they knew their parents were buying the presents.
 
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