re: Santa equals LYING to your children?? D&D

Quoting Rumpelstiltskin:" Of course, so let's keep that in the religious debates and keep Santa/lying to your children in these ... [snip!] ... think religion gets mixed into enough debates? Gay marriage, abortion, death penalty, etc. Keep Santa debates clean, people!  "

I dunno - I was just replying to what I was reading ,lol.

I'm not particularly offended or put off by stuff like Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Stork, etc but I simply can't bring myself to pretend they are real.

I just can't fake it, it doesn't feel right. Maybe it does have something to do with knowing they are not true and making an example of how intellectually vulnerable children are.

Quoting LolaMcKitten:" I dunno - I was just replying to what I was reading ,lol. "

Oh I wasn't aiming that at you... most Santa debates turn into "Jesus isn't real either!" debates.

I mean, I don't care if you believe or not, but it ruins the debate because then Christians have to jump in and defend their religion... and then the debate isn't about Santa or "lying to your kids", it's a religious debate... KWIM?

Quoting Rumpelstiltskin:" Oh I wasn't aiming that at you... most Santa debates turn into "Jesus isn't real either!" debates. ... [snip!] ... and defend their religion... and then the debate isn't about Santa or "lying to your kids", it's a religious debate... KWIM? "

The reason it happens so often is because they are analogous, in that parents would be telling their impressionable kids supernatural stories.

Many people are going to connect the two no matter what, even if others think it isn't justified.

Quoting Leisurely Duchess:" The reason it happens so often is because they are analogous, in that parents would be telling their ... [snip!] ... kids supernatural stories. Many people are going to connect the two no matter what, even if others think it isn't justified."

Yeah, I know... but the thing is adults don't really believe in Santa so telling their kids that he exists could be considered lying.... but if the parent believes that Jesus exists and is the Son of God, they aren't lying (though they may be wrong or whatever, they aren't telling any lies).

So, not part of this debate.  

<blockquote><b>Quoting Rumpelstiltskin:</b>" Yeah, I know... but the thing is adults don't really believe in Santa so telling their kids that he ... [snip!] ... God, they aren't lying (though they may be wrong or whatever, they aren't telling any lies). So, not part of this debate.  "</blockquote>




I can agree with that. Lol

I tell my kids I don't believe in Jesus and they still do
Lol but we don't believe in Santa at all. Lol

But yes the debate should be kept at Santa and lying.   lol

Quoting Rumpelstiltskin:" Yeah, I know... but the thing is adults don't really believe in Santa so telling their kids that he ... [snip!] ... God, they aren't lying (though they may be wrong or whatever, they aren't telling any lies). So, not part of this debate.  "

And that's where the rub lies, that's why some people connect the two.

Quoting Emmiboo:" Exactly. jesus is real to those who believe in him, just as Santa is real to those who believe in him. ... [snip!] ... judge... in the same way who is anyone to judge if they want to believe in Santa? It's just trading one faith for another IMO."

I would agree with you if the behavior of Jesus belief vs. Santa belief was real. however, it is not. Yes, I get there was a guy who the Santa character is based off of. And that's all well and good. But when you tell your child that some fat perv is leaving presents for them under a tree and stealing your food, then go to great lengths to make your child believe that, well that's a lie. Telling your child Jesus died for your sins while not doing anything to convince them of that fact, just going on blind faith, that's not a lie it's faith.

Quoting Rumpelstiltskin:" Yeah, I know... but the thing is adults don't really believe in Santa so telling their kids that he ... [snip!] ... God, they aren't lying (though they may be wrong or whatever, they aren't telling any lies). So, not part of this debate.  "

 

Parents are telling their children to believe in something they themselves don't believe. That is why it's a lie.

Quoting Fatty McRunnerPants:"   Parents are telling their children to believe in something they themselves don't believe. That is why it's a lie."

I allow my daughter to believe in something... I never told her Santa was real or any of that, she came up with it on her own (she is 5). We don't do the "pictures with Santa" or anything like that, though.

When she asks, I'll tell her the truth, but I don't see harm in letting her believe in Santa, Fairies, Mermaids or anything else, to be honest.

Quoting Rumpelstiltskin:" I allow my daughter to believe in something... I never told her Santa was real or any of that, she came ... [snip!] ... tell her the truth, but I don't see harm in letting her believe in Santa, Fairies, Mermaids or anything else, to be honest. "

I don't think there's anything wrong with letting them play pretend. God knows I did as a child and it's essential for an active imagination. For example, my daughter has a baby doll she calls Brittany that's her baby. She pretends she's a mommy although she knows she's not. Playing pretend is good for them.

Quoting Fatty McRunnerPants:" I don't think there's anything wrong with letting them play pretend. God knows I did as a child and ... [snip!] ... she calls Brittany that's her baby. She pretends she's a mommy although she knows she's not. Playing pretend is good for them."

I agree completely.