"Oh, the tangled webs we weave when we practice to deceive." - Sir Walter Scott

Nobody would've been upset or gotten fired if the parents had adhered to the truth. Such anger and outrage that never should've been on a holiday that was originally built upon love, giving and forgiveness.

There are enough awe inspiring things that are real in this world. Enough possibilities to let their imaginations run wild. Instead of telling them about a man that will give them free stuff for no reason (entitlement), tell them about "the time traveler", who knows, you might inspire them to be the next brilliant mind in science application.

There are pleanty of stories that can give children drives and goals, why make up a story about a man that gives reward without effort? Christmas should be a time to teach about giving instead of receiving, leave the magic for bedtime stories.

Tell a story of a man who figured out how to travel through time, or create a device to shirk himself, or a man who figured out how to travel the universe. Who knows, it might inspire them to actually pursue it, not to mention, it allows them to imagine their own worlds. Anyone can tell you a story, but the idea of traveling across the universe, you could create your own.

My point is, santa claus could be readily replaced with a much more productive and creative driver. it would be filled with just as much magic, if not more. Some might say santa claus gives hope and optimism to young kids.

The best producer of hope is that which can never be broken or disproven in our lifetimes. Why do you think god is so successful?

From your positions earlier the teacher should tell the truth where she sees it.
What if she is an atheist?
Should she tell your kids you are a liar?

Originally posted by badgerprints
Once again.
What if that teacher had told you that jesus didn't exist?
I'm not talking about the size of a state.
I'm saying,"Does this teacher have the right to tell your children that their beliefs are false?"

I think that context should be applied when reacting to the action of the teacher. She was frutrated and said it in heated frutration...which is not cool. A reactive mindset for the communication of anything is not the best course of action.

Now, should a teacher communicate the truth to their students?

Yes!! That's their job!! Though the presentation should be objective and with the parents in mind.

Yes, there is a time for truth, but, do we need to set a date for it for everyone to tell? No, it`s up to each and every one of us to make that call. Like I said before, as we grow up, we soon learn the truth, we don`t always need someone to slap our faces with it, do we? If telling little kids the story about Santa makes the those children smile and be happy over the holiday, then what seems to be the problem? I agree with many on this. Why take away something that is about love and giving? Is that what you want, a world that is stone cold with little or no heart? It`s not the idea about Santa or Jesus, it`s the idea of loving one another, and the giving from one heart to another that is the point of the stories. The problem is, we need to keep it in our hearts the year round, not just over Christmas. This is my opinion.

It now looks as though we want to make this all about what we teach our children. The do`s and don`ts of what we must teach them. And it all boils down to..............not one of us has the right to tell each other how to go about it. Not one of us is an expert, we all use what is within us to do the job. so let`s get off of this, ok? It just makes all of us look like a bunch of silly fools. Teach your children in the best way you know how to, we don`t come with a book on parenting when were born.

[edit on 11-12-2008 by FiatLux]

In some way it is good! But for children it exites them and makes them feel happy, and personally without christmas in december i think it would be awefull!

The weather is terrible!

I believed in santa until i was 7 though!

I can't believe all you people hating on Santa and the Christmas tradition.
Christmas is a special magical time for children they will grow up soon enough and will know of the harsh realities of the world so why rush it?

I have so many happy memories of my childhood regarding Santa and Christmas. I can't remember the how old I was when I stopped believing in Santa but it was something I figured out myself and did not have to be told. I was not crushed or hurt. I continued to pretend I believed because I did not want to ruin it for my younger siblings.

I now have children of my own and it brings joy to my heart to see the look on my childs face when she talks about Santa and Christmas. Parents enjoy it as much as the children.

You people that talk about the supposed harm of telling children that Santa exists do not know what you are talking about. This has been done for generations and everyone seems to have turned out ok even after been told this terrible lie when they were children.

It is simply a fun tradition that children and parents both enjoy. I think you people need to lighten up and try to enjoy life.

Originally posted by FiatLux
Why take away something that is about love and giving?

Becuase its not. For the kids it is all about the love of GETTING. Getting pleanty of big gifts that is. You think kids would light up if instead of gifts it was community service. The joy of helping somebody else out? Doubt it.

For the parents its all about A. reliving their childhood. Some nostalgia type deal where they want to relive it through their children. or B. an emotional feeling they get from exciting and hyping their child up about christmas, without a single care as to what effects it may have on their children.

Perhaps psychology isn't a strong point for most, but things like this DO have effects, mostly on a subconscious level. These kids DO learn from experience, and what this experience tells them is that when they want something, all they have to do is ask for it, and eventually somebody will give it to them for no reason.

I mean christmas time, heres a bunch of free stuff from santa. Easter, heres free candy and presents from the easter bunny. Halloween, heres a whole lot of free candy from the community

It's intent may be harmless, and you may think you are doing the kid a good deed by showing them a memorable time. In reality though, what you are doing is giving them something for nothing, and thats not a good life lesson.

Is that what you want, a world that is stone cold with little or no heart?

Thats what we got because of things like this. Kids grow up thinking everything will be given to them, and its all about them. You spoil these kids with extravagant holidays, ultimately for your own personal enjoyment of seeing the kids faces light up.

Originally posted by Erasurehead
You people that talk about the supposed harm of telling children that Santa exists do not know what you are talking about. This has been done for generations and everyone seems to have turned out ok even after been told this terrible lie when they were children.

Yeah, every generation turned out ok. Thats why the world is the way it is. Because we raised a bunch of generous well balanced individuals who fully believe in the spirit of giving.

Maybe Im a pessimist, but from the looks of it, christmas failed pretty hard in the 'teaching people to be giving' department.

Also, how long as santa claus been around?

I'd have been mad, just like those parents.
I mean, their kids were seven- They only had a few years left of those Christmas mornings where the children actually believed in the magic of it all.
Who cares that they're happy they're getting big gifts?
They're excited, it's childhood.
And it doesn't last long.
Every parent wants to see their child excited for "Santa's" big night.

It doesn't matter that it's a lie, that it isn't real, or that the children are simply excited to receive.

Some of you are ridiculous.

Originally posted by grimreaper797

Originally posted by Erasurehead

Maybe Im a pessimist, but from the looks of it, christmas failed pretty hard in the 'teaching people to be giving' department.

Yep.
Good point.
You're a pessimist.

I can't argue with you there.

You win!