Jesus versus Santa Claus

[NDOM]

First off, Merry Christmas/Happy New Year to all my bros on Irish Envy.

Okay it's JESUS CHRIST vs. SANTA CLAUS.

My brother (Michigan fan) and his wife whom happen to be non catholic (I'm not judging) wont let their kids (my niece and nephew) talk about or believe in Santa. Maybe I should just tell the story first and you can get a better idea.

Uncle Bryan aka NDOM, went over there with presents for Josh (My nephew) and Abbigale (my niece) and said to them "Look what Santa Claus left at uncle Bryan's house", and immediately my brother (not in a mean way) said: "We dont believe in santa claus nor do we even mention his name"

So I have been thinking about this since then and thought to myself and came up with this.

Not that this is a BAD thing but how can some parents not let their kids believe in Santa Clause but let their kids believe in Jesus Christ? I'm pretty sure none of us have seen or met either one so how can this be? Can someone explain this one to me? Not trying to start a holy war or anything but if you have never met Jesus, yet bring your family to church every sunday and sing to him, why cant you do the same for Santa? A valid question if you ask me.

I mean it say's on the back U.S. bills and change "In God We Trust" Why can't it say "In Santa Claus We Trust"????? Is it just all about FAITH then? Because how can we let our kids have faith in good old JC whom they have NEVER met not let them have any faith in Santa Claus? Is it because there is a book on Jesus because I assure you, there are alot more books on Santa than there are about Jesus.

I'm Catholic and I have faith that there is a higher power but I would NEVER EVER not let my kids not believe in something.

Sorry, Maybe I'm just ranting and I smoked myself stupid.

Has anyone else experienced this? It's kinda frustrating to me.

 

[micks60]

What would be their reason not to let their kids believe in Santa?

 

[NDOM]

What would be their reason not to let their kids believe in Santa?

Because they say that he is a fictional character.

 

[micks60]

Holy cow. That is sad for kids. Part of fun is believing in a fictional character.

 

[phork]

Well, he is. Some people just don't want to lie to their children.

 

[23145tp]

It is all about faith when it comes to Christ and Santa, none of us has seen either one but there are people who have goodwill towards there fellow man (visiting the sick and homebound, checking in on the elderly to make sure their ok) people who perform good deads that help families and people in need, there will be times that a person is cured from an illness that was thought to be terminal-PRAYERS, there is a lot of generous, kind loving people out here that JUST DO THE RIGHT THING......sounds like something Santa and Christ would do.

 

[mgriff]

Santa is fictional, but you can't really describe the events of Jesus as having an entire base in fact. I mean, they embellished, a lot. One is free to worship and believe as they see fit, but that doesn't change the history. The Bible is not a solid, primary source for a reason.

 

[micks60]

Skmeone correct me if I am wrong but St Nicholas existed. Therefor the belief in Santa Claus is as plausible as believing in Jesus. Not the fact that he delivers presents all over the world is not true but the idea of him giving was started by his actions when he was alive. Not saying they should be in the same argument.

 

[mgriff]

St Nicholas did exist, in the 3rd century somewhere in Turkey, and he was known for his love of children and the poor. The story goes that there was a poor man with three daughters and no money for dowries. St. Nicholas used to put gold coins in the daughters' stockings as they hung out to dry, and so was born the tradition of hanging stockings by the fire when the English began the practice sometime in the Middle Ages.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Santa FTW.

In all seriousness, I think Christmas should be celebrated by everyone. I have convinced some of my Jewish buddies from law school to put up a tree and exchange gifts with their families on the December 25th. Christmas is fun and it's values are universal. To me, Christmas is every bit as much about giving, caring, family and community as it is about an alleged virgin birth 2000 years ago, and I think everyone should be welcomed to participate in that. I have no problem with folks who believe that Christmas should be all about Jesus. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs, and they should keep their Christmas Jesus-only. But I reject those people as the protectors of Christmas they purport to be. They come off as maladjusted tightasses.

 

[irishog77]

I personally like the "Joe Versus the Volcano" discussion best when arguing any ____ versus ____.

Great film.

 

[tadman95]

Santa FTW.

In all seriousness, I think Christmas should be celebrated by everyone. I have convinced some of my Jewish buddies from law school to put up a tree and exchange gifts with their families on the December 25th. Christmas is fun and it's values are universal. To me, Christmas is every bit as much about giving, caring, family and community as it is about an alleged virgin birth 2000 years ago, and I think everyone should be welcomed to participate in that. I have no problem with folks who believe that Christmas should be all about Jesus. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs, and they should keep their Christmas Jesus-only. But I reject those people as the protectors of Christmas they purport to be. They come off as maladjusted tightasses.

/\ This. I have never heard of a poorly adjusted kid due to Santa Claus.

 

[DoverShores]

Santa is fictional, but you can't really describe the events of Jesus as having an entire base in fact. I mean, they embellished, a lot. One is free to worship and believe as they see fit, but that doesn't change the history. The Bible is not a solid, primary source for a reason.

How so?

 

[NDOM]

All valid points for sure. And there WAS a Saint Nicholas.