Santa Claus
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{{conspiracy}} | {{conspiracy}} | ||
| − | [[File:Santaandgoat.gif|left|thumb| | + | [[File:Santaandgoat.gif|left|thumb|175px|He's got a [[goat]]!]] |
| − | '''Santa Claus''' ( | + | '''Santa Claus''' (aka. '''Father Christmas''') is a nice man who brings presents to [[children]] who have been good each year..<ref>He’s ''real'', [[United States Armed Forces|NORAD]] has spotted him and tracked his progress. [http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2011/12/24/christmas-norad-santa-track.html] |
| − | </ref> Proof of this is the existence of presents in people's homes on Christmas morning. <ref>What? You think ''you've'' got a more reasonable explanation than that?</ref> The main counterargument to this, that parents buy and wrap the presents themselves, is preposterous. We are, in all seriousness, asked to believe that ''every parent in the Western world'' is part of [[Conspiracy theory|some vast conspiracy]]. | + | </ref> Proof of this is the existence of presents in people's homes on [[Christmas]] morning. <ref>What? You think ''you've'' got a more reasonable explanation than that?</ref> The main counterargument to this, that parents buy and wrap the presents themselves, is preposterous. We are, in all seriousness, asked to believe that ''every parent in the [[Western world]]'' is part of [[Conspiracy theory|some vast conspiracy]]. |
| − | Whoever runs this conspiracy, or how it is funded and administered, is of course never stated. No, it is much easier to accept that a magic man flies all over the world in one night on a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer, and that he carries hundreds of millions of presents all at the same time. This is easy once you accept that ''[[Goddidit|elvesdidit]]''. | + | Whoever runs this conspiracy, or how it is funded and administered, is of course never stated. No, it is much easier to accept that a [[magic]] man flies all over the world in one night on a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer, and that he carries hundreds of millions of presents all at the same time. This is easy once you accept that ''[[Goddidit|elvesdidit]]''. |
==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
| − | The [[myth]] of Santa Claus seems to have originated from the person of a 4th century Greek [[Christian]] Bishop, Saint Nicholas of Myra. The personality of Santa was then modified by influences from pre-Christian | + | The [[myth]] of Santa Claus seems to have originated from the person of a 4th century [[Greek]] [[Christian]] Bishop, Saint Nicholas of Myra. The personality of Santa was then modified by influences from pre-Christian [[German]]ic and Alpine traditions as well as [[Dutch]] and [[Scandinavia|Nordic]] folklore and the [[British]] character Father Christmas. |
==Christian opposition== | ==Christian opposition== | ||
| − | It seems that Santa is not universally popular with Christians and some of them have suggested that, due in part to the tradition of Santa Claus, Christmas no longer carries the originally intended Christian significance.<ref>[http://www.forministry.com/USMANONDECOHCO/JesusorSantaClaus.dsp "Jesus & Santa Claus | + | It seems that Santa is not universally popular with Christians and some of them have suggested that, due in part to the tradition of Santa Claus, Christmas no longer carries the originally intended Christian significance.<ref>[http://www.forministry.com/USMANONDECOHCO/JesusorSantaClaus.dsp "Jesus & Santa Claus?"]</ref> They even go as far as to claim that Santa is an inadequate [[secular]] Christmastime substitute for [[God]]. <ref>[http://www.cuttingedge.org/News/n1132.cfm "Jesus Christ vs Santa Claus: Santa truly has been created to be a counterfeit Jesus to the Secular World!"]</ref> |
| − | Even more radically, some claim that Santa is, or is a representation of, the Devil. As evidence of this claim it is noted that Santa is an anagram of [[Satan]]<ref>Melton, James L. (1996). [http://www.biblebelievers.com/jmelton/SantaClause.html "Santa Claus and Satan's Cause"] | + | Even more radically, some claim that Santa is, or is a representation of, the Devil. As evidence of this claim it is noted that Santa is an anagram of [[Satan]],<ref>Melton, James L. (1996). [http://www.biblebelievers.com/jmelton/SantaClause.html "Santa Claus and Satan's Cause"]</ref> and that both are often depicted wearing [[Communism|red]]. (Though that might tend to make people wonder about "[[dog]]" being an anagram of "god.") |
| − | Furthermore they claim that it is damaging to | + | Furthermore they claim that it is damaging to children when they learn the [[truth]] of Santa's nonexistence.<ref>[http://prophets-see-all.tripod.com/46516.htm "Santa Claus Versus Jesus Christ"]</ref> When it is pointed out that this could be taken as an important lesson in misplaced [[religious]] [[faith]], most Christians (perhaps [[Irony|not unsurprisingly]]) would indignantly assert that - presents notwithstanding - there is more [[evidence]] for the existence of God than for Santa.<ref>[http://www.carm.org/secular-movements/atheism/why-do-you-believe-jesus-not-santa-claus "Why do you believe in Jesus but not Santa Claus?"] "Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry"</ref> Nevertheless, in reality, the basis that most Christians have for belief in either God and Santa is exactly the same - it is something that their parents told them was true when they were young. |
==Comparison with religion== | ==Comparison with religion== | ||
[[Belief]] in Santa Claus in fact has parallels with belief in a [[deity]]. Although this comparison has been interpreted as an attempt to belittle religion, such an interpretation is based on the inaccurate assumption that the only similarity to be noted is that, like Santa, religion is silly and childish. However, real parallels between Santa and a religious deity can in fact be identified that are not intended to belittle either. | [[Belief]] in Santa Claus in fact has parallels with belief in a [[deity]]. Although this comparison has been interpreted as an attempt to belittle religion, such an interpretation is based on the inaccurate assumption that the only similarity to be noted is that, like Santa, religion is silly and childish. However, real parallels between Santa and a religious deity can in fact be identified that are not intended to belittle either. | ||
| − | Like many | + | Like many gods, Santa Claus is said to be ageless, [[Omniscience|all-knowing]], and ever-present. These legends of Santa were imparted to us through stories and songs taught to us as children by our parents and other trusted sources. We took the stories on faith, despite the lack of evidence, and explained away their unsoundness and [[Logical fallacy|inconsistencies]]. We wanted to believe in them because of their message of goodness. It was comforting to believe in something greater than ourselves and to be regarded as the recipients of special attention. Thus <s>fear</s> belief in Santa was used to elicit good behavior from us by the [[Heaven|promise of reward]] and [[Hell|threat of punishment]]. |
| − | As we matured we realized that there was a [[ | + | As we matured we realized that there was a [[rational]] explanation for all of the observed phenomena that we attributed to Santa Claus, and our suspicion that he did not exist was eventually confirmed by our parents. This is where the analogy between Santa and a deity fails, as there is no one to tell us that our religious faith is unfounded. |
| − | ==Intelligent | + | ==Intelligent delivering== |
| − | The presents given to children on Christmas are made with too much care to be the result of random selection by a company or manufacturer and show a complexity beyond that which could be expected of a parent or guardian. We must conclude that they were made & delivered by some other "intelligent agent" or "designer" who may or may not be Santa. Research is done in the [[Discovery Institute|Christmas Institute]]. | + | The presents given to children on Christmas are made with too much care to be the result of [[natural selection|random selection]] by a company or manufacturer and show a complexity beyond that which could be expected of a parent or guardian. We must conclude that they were made & delivered by some other "intelligent agent" or "designer" who may or may not be Santa. Research is done in the [[Discovery Institute|Christmas Institute]]. |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| − | |||
*[[Jesus]] | *[[Jesus]] | ||
*[[Easter Bunny]] | *[[Easter Bunny]] | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| − | * | + | *[http://www.av1611.org/othpubls/santa.html "Santa Claus: The Great Imposter"], Dial-the-Truth Ministries |
| − | * [http://www.rpmministries.org/2009/12/why-jesus-is-infinitely-better-than-santa-claus/ "Why Jesus Is Infinitely Better Than Santa Claus"] | + | *[http://www.rpmministries.org/2009/12/why-jesus-is-infinitely-better-than-santa-claus/ "Why Jesus Is Infinitely Better Than Santa Claus"], rpmministries.org |
| − | * | + | *[http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/unicorns.html#BrUJ8cXRcT2b "Invisible Pink Unicorn, Flying Spaghetti Monster, Santa Claus and God"], Evidence For God |
| − | * | + | *[http://www.gksoft.com/a/fun/santa.html "Why I don't believe in Santa."] |
| − | * [http://atheism.about.com/od/christmasholidayseason/p/SantaMyth.htm "Santa Claus: Should Parents Perpetuate the Santa Claus Myth?"] | + | *[http://atheism.about.com/od/christmasholidayseason/p/SantaMyth.htm "Santa Claus: Should Parents Perpetuate the Santa Claus Myth?"], About.com |
| − | * [http://pandagon.blogsome.com/2006/05/16/why-dont-grown-ups-believe-in-santa-claus/ "Why don't grown-ups believe in Santa Claus?"] | + | *[http://pandagon.blogsome.com/2006/05/16/why-dont-grown-ups-believe-in-santa-claus/ "Why don't grown-ups believe in Santa Claus?"], Pandagon |
| − | * [http://spaninquis.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/santa-claus-and-evidence/ "Santa Claus and Evidence"] | + | *[http://spaninquis.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/santa-claus-and-evidence/ "Santa Claus and Evidence"], Spanish Inquisitor |
| − | * [http://www.positiveatheism.org/mail/eml9656.htm "Why I Don't Believe In God"] | + | *[http://www.positiveatheism.org/mail/eml9656.htm "Why I Don't Believe In God"], Positive Atheism |
| − | * | + | *[http://www.mwillett.org/atheism/santa.htm "Do you still believe in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy? If you don't, why not?"] |
| − | * Stewart, David J. [http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Other%20Pagan%20Mumbo-Jumbo/santa_satan.htm "There is NO Santa Claus! The Sin of Santa Claus"] | + | *Stewart, David J. [http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Other%20Pagan%20Mumbo-Jumbo/santa_satan.htm "There is NO Santa Claus! The Sin of Santa Claus"] |
| − | * {{wpa|Santa Claus}} | + | *{{wpa|Santa Claus}} |
| − | *[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnEHgiEAvAs Santa's Apologetics] Santa must be | + | *[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnEHgiEAvAs Santa's Apologetics] - Santa ''must'' be real! Watch this hilarious video and find out why. |
==Footnotes== | ==Footnotes== | ||
| − | + | {{reflist}} | |
| − | + | ||
[[Category:Conspiracy theories]] | [[Category:Conspiracy theories]] | ||
[[Category:Ufology]] | [[Category:Ufology]] | ||
[[Category:Folklore]] | [[Category:Folklore]] | ||
Revision as of 03:49, 14 December 2013
| Some dare call it |
| Secrets revealed! |
| The revealers |
Santa Claus (aka. Father Christmas) is a nice man who brings presents to children who have been good each year..[1] Proof of this is the existence of presents in people's homes on Christmas morning. [2] The main counterargument to this, that parents buy and wrap the presents themselves, is preposterous. We are, in all seriousness, asked to believe that every parent in the Western world is part of some vast conspiracy.
Whoever runs this conspiracy, or how it is funded and administered, is of course never stated. No, it is much easier to accept that a magic man flies all over the world in one night on a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer, and that he carries hundreds of millions of presents all at the same time. This is easy once you accept that elvesdidit.
Contents |
Origin
The myth of Santa Claus seems to have originated from the person of a 4th century Greek Christian Bishop, Saint Nicholas of Myra. The personality of Santa was then modified by influences from pre-Christian Germanic and Alpine traditions as well as Dutch and Nordic folklore and the British character Father Christmas.
Christian opposition
It seems that Santa is not universally popular with Christians and some of them have suggested that, due in part to the tradition of Santa Claus, Christmas no longer carries the originally intended Christian significance.[3] They even go as far as to claim that Santa is an inadequate secular Christmastime substitute for God. [4]
Even more radically, some claim that Santa is, or is a representation of, the Devil. As evidence of this claim it is noted that Santa is an anagram of Satan,[5] and that both are often depicted wearing red. (Though that might tend to make people wonder about "dog" being an anagram of "god.")
Furthermore they claim that it is damaging to children when they learn the truth of Santa's nonexistence.[6] When it is pointed out that this could be taken as an important lesson in misplaced religious faith, most Christians (perhaps not unsurprisingly) would indignantly assert that - presents notwithstanding - there is more evidence for the existence of God than for Santa.[7] Nevertheless, in reality, the basis that most Christians have for belief in either God and Santa is exactly the same - it is something that their parents told them was true when they were young.
Comparison with religion
Belief in Santa Claus in fact has parallels with belief in a deity. Although this comparison has been interpreted as an attempt to belittle religion, such an interpretation is based on the inaccurate assumption that the only similarity to be noted is that, like Santa, religion is silly and childish. However, real parallels between Santa and a religious deity can in fact be identified that are not intended to belittle either.
Like many gods, Santa Claus is said to be ageless, all-knowing, and ever-present. These legends of Santa were imparted to us through stories and songs taught to us as children by our parents and other trusted sources. We took the stories on faith, despite the lack of evidence, and explained away their unsoundness and inconsistencies. We wanted to believe in them because of their message of goodness. It was comforting to believe in something greater than ourselves and to be regarded as the recipients of special attention. Thus fear belief in Santa was used to elicit good behavior from us by the promise of reward and threat of punishment.
As we matured we realized that there was a rational explanation for all of the observed phenomena that we attributed to Santa Claus, and our suspicion that he did not exist was eventually confirmed by our parents. This is where the analogy between Santa and a deity fails, as there is no one to tell us that our religious faith is unfounded.
Intelligent delivering
The presents given to children on Christmas are made with too much care to be the result of random selection by a company or manufacturer and show a complexity beyond that which could be expected of a parent or guardian. We must conclude that they were made & delivered by some other "intelligent agent" or "designer" who may or may not be Santa. Research is done in the Christmas Institute.
See also
External links
- "Santa Claus: The Great Imposter", Dial-the-Truth Ministries
- "Why Jesus Is Infinitely Better Than Santa Claus", rpmministries.org
- "Invisible Pink Unicorn, Flying Spaghetti Monster, Santa Claus and God", Evidence For God
- "Why I don't believe in Santa."
- "Santa Claus: Should Parents Perpetuate the Santa Claus Myth?", About.com
- "Why don't grown-ups believe in Santa Claus?", Pandagon
- "Santa Claus and Evidence", Spanish Inquisitor
- "Why I Don't Believe In God", Positive Atheism
- "Do you still believe in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy? If you don't, why not?"
- Stewart, David J. "There is NO Santa Claus! The Sin of Santa Claus"
- See the Wikipedia article on Santa Claus.
- Santa's Apologetics - Santa must be real! Watch this hilarious video and find out why.
Footnotes
- ↑ He’s real, NORAD has spotted him and tracked his progress. [1]
- ↑ What? You think you've got a more reasonable explanation than that?
- ↑ "Jesus & Santa Claus?"
- ↑ "Jesus Christ vs Santa Claus: Santa truly has been created to be a counterfeit Jesus to the Secular World!"
- ↑ Melton, James L. (1996). "Santa Claus and Satan's Cause"
- ↑ "Santa Claus Versus Jesus Christ"
- ↑ "Why do you believe in Jesus but not Santa Claus?" "Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry"