Controversial Topic

90Xjay · #1 (**permalink**) 12-07-2006, 11:16 PM

It has been sometime since we've had one. A thread where tempers flare and religion and politics clash with culture and patriotism.

So.......................... If your ready for one...................................

What age were you when you found out the truth about santa claus?
For those of you who still think he is real, leave this thread now!

Maybe you were never raised to think otherwise. If you have kids of your own , what are your values and family traditions...

Personally, I was brought up to think santa was real and I guess I found out somewhere around 7 or so. It really didn't bother me a whole bunch as I recall. As a parent, I chose to not progress the myth(lie- I choose to call it) on my kids. My kids know all about the story of santa, and frosty, and rudolph and all of the traditional things, but we treat it like it is, a story, for entertainment. My kids know where their presents come from and I think (hope) they might actually appreciate them a little more.

the whole story of santa to me steals the focus off of the reason we traditionally celebrate the holiday to begin with, the birth of Jesus Christ, and that is where I make sure to teach my kids the values of this holiday.

Dorivin · #2 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 02:38 AM

Santa faded out around age 6, I saw the presents being put under the tree by a fat woman...It didn't bother me I just always played it as "Oh yay, the fat guy brought me gifts!"

Alright, now let me clear something up for you!
Santa Claus everyone knows only has the red and white suit thanks to Coca-Cola. Now the image of Santa Claus the true image, is a big bearded fellow like he is wearing a big fur coat and carrying a sack. Now we are going to get back into the historical part that mixes with religions. Now which ever Christian or Catholic got the idea, I can tell you that santa was a viking. I'm serious about this, its all factual. Santa was a pagan at one time who converted to christianity late in the Viking Era when Christianity was just blowing up. Now, I'm not being bias about the whole thing because I still believe in the old gods and im not christian, but I wouldn't just make it up. You can look this up somewhere.

Sparky-Watts · #3 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 05:44 AM

I guess I never put too much thought into it, but when I was a wee lad, my parents told me about Santa in a Christian manner, so to speak. We celebrated the birth of Christ, and Santa was just a jolly old man who vowed to carry on the love of Christ and celebrated his birthday by bringing gifts to good little boys and girls. Saint Nicholas was a real person, despite all the hype, before all the commercialism. I don't know when I realized where the presents came from, but it was nice as a small child to believe in magic.

What about the Christmas firemen? Here's a nice little story about them:

A Kansan went down to Texas on business. While in a quaint little town on the outskirts of Dallas, he drove past a church with a nativity on the front lawn. He was admiring the detail when he noticed that the three wisemen were wearing fireman's helmets. Later, when he stopped at a convenience store, he was still puzzled over this display, and asked the clerk what the significance of the helmets was.

She said, "Don't y'all northerners know nothing? Mebbe y'all should spend more time readin' y'alls Bible!"

Puzzled even more, the Kansas said, "I read my Bible daily, but I don't remember seeing anything about firemen at the birth of Christ!"

With that, the clerk brought her Bible out from under the counter, thumbed through the pages a while, then jabbed her finger at a passage and shoved it in the Kansan's face. "There. It says 'Three wisemen came from afar.'"

jayh · #4 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 05:55 AM

I never was taught to believe.

Personally I see nothing wrong with teaching SC as a symbol of generosity and merriment rather than trying to insist it's an actual person. I don't think kids enjoy it any more because they are lied to.

Utah_jeepster · #5 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 09:11 AM

My family is Dutch, Hollanders. We grew up with Saint Nicolas not Santa Claus. Where I hate to say it (better yet love to stir the pot on this one) the true Santa Claus myth came from. Sorry all he is not a Norse myth but was a real person. Read here http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=23

So to us the American version is corrupt, but we were taught to enjoy it as a story as well.
We still leave carrots and Hay on the front door (we no longer leave our shoes out front) with hopes of finding the winning lotto ticket in our stockings the next morn.

OutOfStep · #6 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 09:24 AM

We had the Swede version at our northern family gatherings, fairly similar except for a slightly different outfit, he smoked a pipe, and spoke Swedish

currupt4130 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 10:35 AM

My mom tried to play it out as long as she could. She had me going till I was about 12, and then I started to get a sneaking suspicion and within a year or so I figured it out. They just kept it up because they loved being able to do more for us, and not just what they gave us on Christmas Eve. (My family always opens family presents on Chrismtas Eve, and Santa gifts Christmas morning)

Joopin · #8 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 12:29 PM

currupt4130 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 02:11 PM

Nice Mingez, that had be rolling.

Dorivin · #10 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 02:36 PM

no, I know the whole Saint Nicolas bit. I never said he was a myth.

Now the whole image hes got nowadays, we can blame that on good old corprate america who used to drink Coke with Coca in it...YAY FOR COLUMBIAN DRUG LORDS!

southtj · #11 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 06:22 PM

I don't recall exactly when I learned the truth about SC but I think I was 6-7 years old. Our 4 year old believes and last year drew a picture to give to the big guy that we see at a holiday party every year. It's harmless. Let the kids believe in magic for a few years of their lives before they learn the cold hard truth about life.

As I see it my family is required to decorate the outside of the house and to celebrate Santa Clause as much as possible seeing as how we live on Saint Nick Drive.

droopey · #12 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 06:42 PM

I think I found out at age 7 or 8, I woke up early and caught my parents hiding our big gifts to find and open last, this is a tradition that all my siblings and I will pass down to our kids. I grew up in a christian house hold, and my parents let us believe in Santa. We were taught the real meaning of Christmas at an early age and will always love and cherish every memory. Now that I have a son of my own he will learn just as I have, If he finds out one day that there is no Santa I don't think it will matter much and I hope he will appreciate every thing just as I did.

Joopin · #13 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by currupt4130

Nice Mingez, that had be rolling.

Mingez? I think you mean Joopin, cause he didn't post in this thread yet. I wont hold it against you.

90Xjay · #14 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 11:05 PM

I was wondering about that.

TwistedCopper · #15 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 11:18 PM

I'm not sure what age I asked my mother if Santa was real, but her reply kept me "believing" for many years to follow:

Quote:

Originally Posted by TC's Mom

"When you stop believing, he stops bringing you presents"

As for my kids... at first we were going to go the same route as 90Xjay. When I told my mother this she nearly cried. So for the sake of not denying their grandparents the fun of playing up all the Santa Claus stuff we go along with it. Funny how my mother still guilts me into keeping Santa Claus alive

We don't really do anything other than not tell them until they are old enough to doubt and ask.

All of my kids love going to church and are learning about the Lord. My oldest is starting to ask about baptism. They all know who we are celebrating on Christmas, as well as who we are praying to at dinner and bedtime.

Two of my kids already know the truth, and I don't guilt them into playing along like my mother did with me. When they became old enough to ask us the truth we told them the truth. I do, however, encourage them to allow their younger siblings to find out on their own.

The only thing I regret about it is how as a country we have taken the focus off the real reason for the day. Santa, presents... it is kind of disturbing how much over-spending many people do and how it turns into a very selfish time for so many kids. Rather ironic in a sad kind of way. So long as that never happens here I'm fine with letting the little ones leave cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.

I really like cookies.

90Xjay · #16 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwistedCopper

I really like cookies.

You eat santa's cookies?

Sparky-Watts · #17 (**permalink**) 12-09-2006, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90Xjay

You eat santa's cookies?

Sparky-Watts · #18 (**permalink**) 12-09-2006, 05:07 AM

Here's a new one for ya:

My uncle married a Jewish woman. They have one daughter and no sons. They celebrate Hannukah and Christmas. At first, I thought it was because of my cousin, and being able to spoil her with gifts for both holidays, but now that Sara has left home, they still do it. Ok, so then I thought that it was my aunt celebrating Hannukah, and my uncle doing Christmas, but even my aunt will answer the phone with "Merry Christmas" during the Holiday Season! They get me so confused!

90Xjay · #19 (**permalink**) 12-09-2006, 09:13 AM

That is kind of strange, but it seems to work for them.

I'm thinking of celebrating "Festivas" this year.

Feats of strength anyone?

TwistedCopper · #20 (**permalink**) 12-09-2006, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky-Watts

Here's a new one for ya:

My uncle married a Jewish woman. They have one daughter and no sons. They celebrate Hannukah and Christmas. At first, I thought it was because of my cousin, and being able to spoil her with gifts for both holidays, but now that Sara has left home, they still do it. Ok, so then I thought that it was my aunt celebrating Hannukah, and my uncle doing Christmas, but even my aunt will answer the phone with "Merry Christmas" during the Holiday Season! They get me so confused!

I had neighbors like that in Parkville. I understand a Christian celebrating a Jewish holiday, as it is part of the story. A Jew celebrating Chistmas? Well that's just not...

Kosher