Debate Santa Claus

No we shouldn't, some people believe in it more then others and are heartbroken when they're told they don't exist.
Alot of the time it'll make kids about 9 cry.

 

Well most tell their kids to believe in god, so what's the difference if you tell them to believe in santa clause. It's the same thing being that both are made up anyway.

 

I don't blame my parents one bit for introducing Santa into the Christmas holidays. It was part of my childhood, and really gave me something to look forward to during the whole experience. It doesn't matter to me now, but it really did back then, and I guess that's what matters.


Lying isn't bad if it's for the right intentions. I don't yell at my parents every Christmas about how they lied to me about Santa.

 

This isn't a religious debate, and I was sure it was going to get to that, but I wasn't expecting to get to it this early. So congrats on totally misconstruing the point of this debate.

To be honest, having all these imaginary people doing good things for their kids actually makes no sense. Why would one want their children to like a fictional character more than their own parents? Either way, I think it's the mystery of these characters that truly lure children into loving them. It's like a big game for them, as well as a good way to keep your children in line for at least one month. while the latter statement may seem cruel, it's an excellent way to have kids have fun, while relieving some parental stress.

So in my opinion, I believe this "lie" is ok for children. It's fun, most of the time they are rewarded, and it's even fun for the parents. I can recall one Christmas when I was younger we would sprinkle "reindeer food" all over the lawn at our house, and this year either me or my sister (I cannot recall who) got some of the food on my dad's jacket. Cleverly thinking while sneaking the Santa presents under the tree, he took out his jacket and stomped over it, and threw it on the ground. When me and my sister went downstairs we saw my Dad's coat lying on the ground, and he told us the reindeer must have been going for their food on his coat.

I remember that instance particularly, because it was a fun time, and a great experience. So to reiterate, we should lie to children if it's about these fictional characters, if it harbors one instance of crying at a later age, then that's too bad, but you have to remember it has been years of eagerness and excitement from Santa, and that completely overwhelms the one instance of sadness.

 

There is more than one kind of lie, as you say. A white lie is when you lie to someone for their own good. A lie is when you lie to someone for your own good. If we tell our children to believe in santa clause, that is a lie for their own good time. You are looking at it too black & white.

As to the religion thing, santa clause represents christmas in some way or another, so it's inevitable to not bring in god and religion. How do you feel that it would not come up in this debate.

 

I think the only problem is it could cause trust issues in children. I also would not want my children believing in anything imaginary. Believing in anything that doesn't make sense could cause them to be confused as to what reality actually is.

 

When you really think about it, neither Santa nor Christmas has anything to do with the christian religion. Santa is some fat guy someone made up, and wasnt Jesus born in June?

 

So you would expose your five year old to the harsh reality of the world, poor parenting really. When I was young I believed in the Three Wise men not Santa. But I grew out of it using reasoning. It's natural for us to grow out of these silly habits. But to tell your children that their is not Santa Clause to give you presents is rather messed up to begin with.

I don't believe it harms anyone to have these ideas in their head so long as they leave it by the time they turn to old.

Can we stop talking about Religion, I hate debating this.

 

Yes, I would. & no, it's not bad parenting, it is what I believe to be right. Are you attacking my opinion?

 

Don't we attack opinions in Debate???

I won't lie, yes I am attacking your opinion. I believe it is wrong, don't take it though that I am yelling our calling you an idiot, because I'm not.

I just don't support the idea of telling your children about these things until they reach a more acceptable age.

The only freedom you will ever get is during your childhood, once you reach adult hood you will only work, and labor. So let the children live their only free time.

 

Isn't that, at it's basic, what debating is? Deconstructing your opponents opinion, or attacking it, and showing how ones pinion is better then the one attacked. But that would be semantics...

Anyway, why would you get rid of the best part about childhood? Not Santa Clause, the belief in the imaginary. That's what is great about childhood. It just doesn't have the same magic to it if it's not about a man dressed in red and is huge just jumping down a chimney. Why not let the imagination of children flow.

Unless the child has aspergers, I don't see why not.

 

I say let the kids belive in santa and so on it keeps them happy. Then later on its the parents job to explain why they lied to there child and found it cute.

 

I dont know a single person that has any issues whatsoever because their parents told them Santa was real, LOL. That sounds so ridiculous. I could just see somebody in the psychiatrist (spelled right?) saying, "My parents were horrible and I cant get my life straight because I so thought that Santa was real".

Its fine, I loved it when I was younger because I got 2 presents. 1 from the parents and then 1 from Santa. That was awesome. When they told me he was fake I said "huh, that makes sense", oh well, life goes on. I dont see a big deal there at all. Tell em Santa is real.

 

I was raised Jewish... There was no Santa Claus (and Hanukkah Harry just isn't the same lol)

Obviously, this lack of fake, magical figures in my life totally screwed me over.

So no, it is not important to do this. I don't think it matters. Tell them it or not, they'll eventually learn they've been lied to, and that is or can be worse than having not had a figure at all. Is it horrible to know it's your loving parents getting you everything you wanted?

 

The problem with telling little kids stuff like this, and making it out as the truth, is that it conditions them to believe other elaborate fantasies also (which don't just go away as they mature). Christmas can still be a great holiday, with a focus on family and giving gifts (and receiving them!) without believing in Santa to go along with it.

 

Locked.. this isn't gonna go anywhere, and Forgehub is home to a few members of a younger audience.

Update: Unlocked. Note that all spam (as seen above) will be perm infracted, no excuses.