Is it wrong to tell children about Santa Claus/Easter Bunny. etc?

[jgmes2001]

We all know that it is a sin to lie. Yet nearly everyone with children tell their children fairy tales, and actively encourage them to believe they are true - even when they involve magic and other things that go against Catholic teachings.

I am not against telling children Snow White or Cinderella as bedtime stories, but is it wrong to make children believe things that aren’t true? Especially, as in the case of Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, they might actually distract from Christ?

 

[Archerette74]

I have a close friend (Southern Baptist) who is very much against the whole Santa, Bunny thing. Her oldest daughter seems to be insulted by the Santa Clauses I decorated with during Christmas. She calls them “evil” and shields her eyes from the Santas when she walks by them. She told me that she liked the fact that her parents don’t lie to her. She is 9.

I DO believe in childhood innocence and playing pretend and imaginary things. And I think Santa is a magical part of this. Children are taught that Santa is the magical part of Christmas. They are also taught that magic isn’t real. When they are old enough, that’s when they realize that that magic part of Christmas is just that - an illusion. But what a fun one! And then they get to feel like they are a special part of keeping that magical part of Christmas alive and real to their younger siblings and friends.

I wholeheartedly believe in creating that magical part of Christmas for my children just because it’s fun. I also beleive in celebrating the Truth of Christmas with them. And they know that’s what’s most important. Celebrating the birth of Christ. We focus on that and also the giving part of Christmas. It’s a great learning time for them on giving.

 

[strngrnrth]

The poor girl who shields her eyes when she walks by a Santa decoration is going to grow up never knowing what it would have been like to be innocent and to believe that the world is full of fun beautiful things to look at. I feel sorry for her.

 

[deb1]

I have a close friend (Southern Baptist) who is very much against the whole Santa, Bunny thing. Her oldest daughter seems to be insulted by the Santa Clauses I decorated with during Christmas. She calls them “evil” and shields her eyes from the Santas when she walks by them. She told me that she liked the fact that her parents don’t lie to her. She is 9.

I DO believe in childhood innocence and playing pretend and imaginary things. And I think Santa is a magical part of this. Children are taught that Santa is the magical part of Christmas. They are also taught that magic isn’t real. When they are old enough, that’s when they realize that that magic part of Christmas is just that - an illusion. But what a fun one! And then they get to feel like they are a special part of keeping that magical part of Christmas alive and real to their younger siblings and friends.

I wholeheartedly believe in creating that magical part of Christmas for my children just because it’s fun. I also beleive in celebrating the Truth of Christmas with them. And they know that’s what’s most important. Celebrating the birth of Christ. We focus on that and also the giving part of Christmas. It’s a great learning time for them on giving.

I’ve recently told my nine year old that there is no literal Santa. But I told her that her parents love her so much that we enjoy giving her gifts without getting any credit. We discussed how this was part of being Christian, that you give without expecting anything back, even praise. I think that is a good lesson to teach kids.

I also told all my kids about respecting other children’s right to innocence. My daughter will not do anything to ruin the innocence and fun of other children who have not yet been told about Santa.

It is one thing to never teach your child about Santa. Each family has to decide if Santa will be part of their traditions and I respect their choices.

But what your friend is teaching his daughter is to be a self righteous, rude person. She is going to grow up to see the devil and evil in everything. Even if she doesn’t believe in Santa, that doesn’t mean that she should call the concept “EVIL”. Nor should she be taught to voice unasked for opinions. That is just rude.

 

[Reynardus]

I’ve heard about a school that has a different take on Santa. Instead of the traditional Santa Claus, someone dresses up as the true St. Nicholas, the 3rd century bishop Santa was based on and it’s he who gives the gifts and tells them the story of the saint.

I kind of liked that idea and I wonder if it would be better to teach kids (Catholic ones) about St. Nicholas instead of Santa.

 

[deb1]

We all know that it is a sin to lie. Yet nearly everyone with children tell their children fairy tales, and actively encourage them to believe they are true - even when they involve magic and other things that go against Catholic teachings.

I am not against telling children Snow White or Cinderella as bedtime stories, but is it wrong to make children believe things that aren’t true? Especially, as in the case of Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, they might actually distract from Christ?

This is up to each family to decide how to handle Santa. I respect all their choices. What I resent is either side acting like the other side is wrong for telling or not telling their children about Santa.

At eight or nine, I tell my kids the truth about Santa. Then I explain that as Christians we should help others without expecting praise or glory back. I tell them about the real Saint who Santa is based on.

Most of us had grandparents who believed in Santa as children. Yet it is our generation that is more secularized. So it doesn’t follow that believe in Santa, for a child, will translate into lack of belief in Christ.

 

[vrlobo88]

I don’t think it is wrong to let children believe in such things as long as you reveal to them the truth later. Many things are too hard for children to understand; even adults have difficulty understanding some of these things. In order to teach values and morals, we sometimes must put things into story form. Jesus did it with the parables, we do it with the tortoise and the hare, etc.

Many Old Testament stories are not historically accurate, but they get the job done when it comes to conveying the important messages. Did the whale really swallow Jonah? Probably not, but after hearing that story, we sure won’t forget that it is wrong to disobey God and that we must trust in Him.

Many evangelical Christians have issues with things like this. The Catholic Church’s teaching is based on the Bible, tradition, and logic. On the other hand, evangelical sects rely completely on the Bible.

 

[SuperH]

I don’t think it’s right to lie about anything, frankly.

I have no intention of telling my future children about the existence of Santa or the Easter Bunny.

While it may be fun, it is still a lie, and I am a firm believer that children need to learn that lying is wrong, even temporarily, from the day they are born throughout their lives.

I will make it clear to them that they should not spoil the secret to other children who may believe, since it may be hurtful to them emotionally, and that they should avoid the topic altogether. I have already devised a response for them to tell their friends about what “Santa” got them for Christmas.

“Due to Santa’s large waistline, he would be unable to fit into the chimney. The security system is armed at night to prevent entry, so no one can enter anyway. As a result, my parents simply have their name on twice the Christmas gifts they would otherwise give us, if Santa were to give me gifts.”

All of the above would be true statements.

Of course, I’m sure I am a minority here. I don’t decorate with reindeer, Santa Claus, or Frosty figurines - I decorate conservatively with decor of religious significance as I believe Christmas SHOULD be approached.

 

[KinseyMcGuire]

Well, I never doubted God’s exsistance after I learned the truth about the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. However, my slight quibble with someday telling my kids about Santa is not about faith, but about parental trust. I believed so deeply my parents would never lie to me that I believed in Santa Claus until I was 13 and my parents had to convince me it wasn’t true. Though now I’m glad to have had all those magic Christmases, at the time it happened I was feeling like a fool and a little peeved at my parents.

Personally, I don’t think there’s harm in fantasy if the child is well grounded into the reality of holidays like Christmas and Easter.

 

[BenedictVXI]

I have been Santa Claus for children since 1971 and I would like to share my take on the subject with Catholics and Protestants alike.
When I act as Santa I try to create the illusion that Santa is a messanger of LOVE. I tell children that when I enter a home and I see that the children love Jesus and try to be good I am so filled with joy that I am lifted right up the chimney. I see that they have wrapped presents for their family and I see that they believe in giving charity. When we celebrate our birthday people give us presents, the three Kings gave gifts to Jesus. Jesus in heaven wants me to give his gifts to His children on earth. I then play the role of the Great Bishop St Nick, and I ask them questions that will focus their attention on the reason for Christmas. Example:
Whoes birthday do we celebrate on Christmas?
A.) George Bush
B.) Santa Claus
C.) Jesus

What is Jesus’s Mother and Father’s name?
Where was Jesus born?
I always give great praise for answering the questions and I allow mom to whisper in their ear the answer.
I throw in silly questions too to keep it lite hearted.

I always tell the children that Jesus Loves them and I do too.
When asked am I the real Santa my answer is always what do you think?

Santa has a great opportunity not to decieve children but to bring the light of Christ into their lives and gently direct them to Jesus.

Now my favorite Santa Joke for all of you that stayed with me…
What happened to the cat that slept in the sand box on Christmas Eve??
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Answer - He got sandy claws…Bye now

 

[cyberwolf001]

I believed so deeply my parents would never lie to me that I believed in Santa Claus until I was 13 and my parents had to convince me it wasn’t true. Though now I’m glad to have had all those magic Christmases, at the time it happened I was feeling like a fool and a little peeved at my parents.

I’m glad I’m not the only one…

I still feel like an idiot for believing in that story…

I know one of the foremost Occult Author’s in America stopped believing in Jesus at a young age when he found out that Santa and the Bunny where lies.

In fact I’ve known many a Pagan and Occultist that started there path after learning this. After all if they where lied to about Santa they may have lied about Jesus too. Just a way to make them behave…

 

[deb1]

I’m glad I’m not the only one…

I still feel like an idiot for believing in that story…

I know one of the foremost Occult Author’s in America stopped believing in Jesus at a young age when he found out that Santa and the Bunny where lies.

In fact I’ve known many a Pagan and Occultist that started there path after learning this. After all if they where lied to about Santa they may have lied about Jesus too. Just a way to make them behave…

My stepfather took me aside and gave me a very loving discussion on Santa Claus. Personally, I felt grown up and mature. This might have been his manner of explaining the truth to me. He never talked down to me and he made learning about Santa sound like it was a part of growing up.

I know ALOT of parents who have told me that they will not tell their kids about Santa but let them discover about him on their own. That seems cruel.

 

[lizaanne]

I’ve heard about a school that has a different take on Santa. Instead of the traditional Santa Claus, someone dresses up as the true St. Nicholas, the 3rd century bishop Santa was based on and it’s he who gives the gifts and tells them the story of the saint.

I kind of liked that idea and I wonder if it would be better to teach kids (Catholic ones) about St. Nicholas instead of Santa.

If we are blessed with children this is what we plan to do. I just have issues with lying to a child then expecting them to believe you when you tell them something even more unbelievable, like Jesus really IS present in the Eucharist. Just for example. I’m sure many will not agree with this, but this is our plan should we need one.

~Liza

 

[Other_Eric]

Let’s be frank about what the Santa Claus story is: nothing more than an attempt by a parent to exploit the innocence of his child for a shallow form of personal amusement. My own son saw the tomb of Saint Nicholas in Bari, Italy when he was but four years old. Never once did he entertain the idea that some strange man would use supernatural powers to fly to our roof and break into our house.

The job of a parent is not to sit in wonder of a child’s fantastic delusions. Instead, every child needs to be given a harsh dose of reality so that he or she may grow up well grounded. I find that romantic notions of childhood innocence are puerile at best and have absolutely no place in my house.

My son has learned to recite the story of Saint Nicholas punching the heretic Arius at the Council of Nicea. It is from this story that he has learned that disseminating the truth will sometimes mean the use of force. That is the appropriate way to expose children to the memory of the saint, not through some sugarcoated fantasy involving magic, elves and other things alien to Christianity.

 

[jbarba]

We never tried to encourage the Santa fantasy with our daughters. We told them from the beginning about how Santa was a story based on real person but that person died long ago and many people like to keep the story going because it makes them feel good. When our oldest began first grade all the kids were talking about Santa, so Amy gets up and says “I have a story about Santa” all the little smiling faces eagerly awaited her story. “Santa was a very nice man but he died a long time ago, the end”. Amy’s teacher had to immediately intervene to keep her from getting lynched! Poor kid, what mean parents.

 

[antimon]

I can’t believe how some parents have no problem with lying to their children. Or what else than a lie it is? It’s bad, no matter how you look at it.

 

[He_Man]

We all know that it is a sin to lie. Yet nearly everyone with children tell their children fairy tales, and actively encourage them to believe they are true - even when they involve magic and other things that go against Catholic teachings.

I am not against telling children Snow White or Cinderella as bedtime stories, but is it wrong to make children believe things that aren’t true? Especially, as in the case of Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, they might actually distract from Christ?

This comes up from time to time on here.

If we are going to be that legalistic with lying to children, then we need to avoid the following phrases:

1. “Mommy would never let anything happen to you” - not true. If mommy goes nuts, dies, or just happens to be at work, bad things can happen to you. Hard to know for sure.
2. “Mommy will always love you.” - not true, see mommy’s death again as an example.
3. “Eat your vegetables and you’ll grow up to be big and strong.” - not true per se, the child could grow up tp be weak, or frail. Besides, it takes protein and amino acids to build strong muscle, which aren’t as common in most vegetables.
4. “Mommy loves you more than anything!!” - If true, it violates the 1st commanment. If false, it is a lie. UH OH!
5. “You’re the most beautiful baby in the world.” - presumes mommy and daddy have actually SEEN all the babies in the world, which is typically, not the case.
6. “Rover is in doggie heaven.” - not true, Rover’s in Mrs. Miller’s backyard, 4 feet down.

The examples seem absurd, but are no different than the thought to many Catholics thatpretending your child that Santa is real is a sin. Parents lie to their kids all the time; why does the Santa myth, done to make a child happy, get singled out all the time??? At least be consistent and castigate all the lies we tell our children."

 

[lizaanne]

Let’s be frank about what the Santa Claus story is: nothing more than an attempt by a parent to exploit the innocence of his child for a shallow form of personal amusement. My own son saw the tomb of Saint Nicholas in Bari, Italy when he was but four years old. Never once did he entertain the idea that some strange man would use supernatural powers to fly to our roof and break into our house.

The job of a parent is not to sit in wonder of a child’s fantastic delusions. Instead, every child needs to be given a harsh dose of reality so that he or she may grow up well grounded. I find that romantic notions of childhood innocence are puerile at best and have absolutely no place in my house.

My son has learned to recite the story of Saint Nicholas punching the heretic Arius at the Council of Nicea. It is from this story that he has learned that disseminating the truth will sometimes mean the use of force. That is the appropriate way to expose children to the memory of the saint, not through some sugarcoated fantasy involving magic, elves and other things alien to Christianity.

I think my husband could have written this! Oh wait, we don’t have children…well, perhaps one day.

~Liza

 

[He_Man]

I can’t believe how some parents have no problem with lying to their children. Or what else than a lie it is? It’s bad, no matter how you look at it.

See my examples. Intentional or not, parents lie to their kids all the time and don’t even know it, or mean to. But that doesn’t matter. A lie isn’t “not a lie”’ because it was well intentioned.

And if their take the scrupulosity to its logical conclusion, they’ll be in confession daily.

 

[antimon]

This comes up from time to time on here.

If we are going to be that legalistic with lying to children, then we need to avoid the following phrases:

1. “Mommy would never let anything happen to you” - not true. If mommy goes nuts, dies, or just happens to be at work, bad things can happen to you. Hard to know for sure.

so just use some better phrase. Besides, this is an exaggeration, not claiming some nonexistent being to exist.

1. “Mommy will always love you.” - not true, see mommy’s death again as an example.

after we die, do we cease to love? I don’t think so (provided we go to heaven/purgatory)…

1. “Eat your vegetables and you’ll grow up to be big and strong.” - not true per se, the child could grow up tp be weak, or frail. Besides, it takes protein and amino acids to build strong muscle, which aren’t as common in most vegetables.

again, use some better phrase then

1. “Mommy loves you more than anything!!” - If true, it violates the 1st commanment. If false, it is a lie. UH OH!

why would a Christian mother say such a thing?