There is a classic debate over if Santa Claus is real or not. Some say yes, others say no. Generally the younger demographic leans towards the yes side, but the older demographic is a bit more difficult to understand.
Adults bicker and argue about the Santa, never really reaching a conclusion. The New York Times has a few bickerers themselves.
IS Santa an elf? Let's check Yahoo Answers
I did one of those "type part of something into google and see what comes up" and the number one option was "Is Santa Real?" It could have been anything, such as...
-Is Santa putting me on the nice list this year?
-Is Santa bringing me anything for Christmas?
-Is Santa really a male?
-Is Santa ever jealous of those who live in warmer climates?
-Is Santa living in a location that African Swallows migrate to?
-Is Santa ever the recipient of a coconut?
And I'm glad they put this one on there....
-Is Santa Satan?
Anyway, back to New York Times.
The first girl, Ms. Alison Gopnik, believes that children do NOT actually believe in Santa. They are just "imagining" him (or she says thats what kids should do). From personal experience I know this is a lie. When kids are little, they believe. They think he's real. They aren't just "pretending." Thats what adults do!
Gopnik is trying to make the kids too adult like. Adults are the ones that "imagine" and "pretend," not kids!
She even says this:
"My policy, however, would be to imagine Santa along with the children as fully and whole-heartedly as you can"
Imagine along with the children!? She makes it seem as if both child and parent are doing the same thing. Thats no fun. A psychologist should know that fun is healthy.
And look what she says at the end....
"That belief (in Santa) won’t do them any harm either, after all most adult Americans believe in the supernatural."
Oh I see how it is. Relating Santa to religion now...okay. Cool Alison. Enough with her.
I don't really want to argue with Karen Karbo, because she just told a story. I can't really argue against a story. But I will support her husband in that adults should do what they can (reasonably) to make kids believe in Santa. Just look at what Churches do to make us believe in God! Whoops, Shouldn't have said that.
I strongly disagree with Carole S. Slotterback on her views of a certain husband that told his daughter, "Santa had a heart attack and died."
To me, this seems like a great way to tell your kids. Upon hearing this, they will no longer expect presents at Christmas (because the deliverer is dead). And when they hear other kids saying, Santa's not real, they will think "Their parents lied to them so they didn't have to know about his death."
The children will believe in Santa forever, and the parents won't have to buy gifts until the kid turns 18. And when the kid turns 18 he/she will be kicked out of the house.
Good Ole Bruce Number One.
Says:
"Parents with traditional Christian beliefs should be careful about attributing Godlike qualities to Santa. "
Well Bruce, maybe Santa does have Godlike qualities? Who else can travel to every house in the world at the same time? Who else can watch whatever you're doing at any time? Who else has the power to judge humans and decide if they are naughty or nice? Hmmmm... Naughty or nice. Presents or no presents. Sounds a lot like heaven or hell to me.
Gregory has a nice opinion. He seems the most technological and modern.
Bruce Number two starts out saying:
"Is encouraging a child’s belief in Santa Claus harmful? "
I thought Alison just said "Belief (in Santa) won't do them any harm."
I've never heard of any kid scarred by Santa (both physically or mentally).
Bruce also says this:
"Is it really wise to threaten punishment by telling a child that Santa “knows if you have been naughty or nice”?"
Why does this concept seem so familiar? Santa and God seem too similar to me. Is it really wise to threaten a miserable afterlife by telling a human that God "knows if you have been naughty or nice?"
I better stop talking before I lose my own belief in either of these entities.
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