Grinchy remark sends kids home in tears

Lebanon Daily News ^ | 12/23/05 | RORY SCHULER

[Miss Marple]

See? You are morally superior to me! My children went to public school, as do my grandchildren. We just aren't as committed as you.

Merry Christmas, and may Santa bring you a special gift!

[safisoft]

Besides, who's to say that somewhere there ISN'T a Santa?

So, growing up with "Santa" didn't hurt your view of reality?

[Raycpa]

Our children believe in God but even the adult children know better than to tell Mom there is no santa.

[safisoft]

Merry Christmas, and may Santa bring you a special gift!

Happy Hanukkah!

[Miss Marple]

Nope! Somewhere there are things which we can't explain...miracles at Lourdes, unanswerable things in the galaxies, weird coincidences which save people from disaster, medically impossibole remissions of cancer.

There are all sorts of things which remain mysteries, including Santa. Logically he is a myth, but there is an infinitesimal chance that somewhere, Santa lives. Maybe in an alternate universe, who knows?

[Miss Marple]

Well, Happy Hannukah to you as well!

I love this time of year, and have always thought that the Hannukah and Christmas happening at the same time is a message from God, and an encouragement to share, love others, and have a wonderful holiday time.

[Howlin]

I'm thinking they have other "issues" besides Santa Claus; like control and/or parenting problems.

[safisoft]

There are all sorts of things which remain mysteries, including Santa. Logically he is a myth, but there is an infinitesimal chance that somewhere, Santa lives. Maybe in an alternate universe, who knows?

The truth isn't "out there". Pick up your Bible and read. Put your feet on the ground. Live like every idle word, every idle minute counts. For there is an Eye Who Sees, and all our deeds are recorded in a Book.

Shalom, and have a blessed Christmas.

[Howlin]

BTW, I feel sad for people who have never seen the "I Believe" look on their children's faces; we have grandchildren now and we're getting to enjoy it all over!

[Dianna]

I am an American. I have lived here for thirty years. I have raised sons here. We didn't use Public School, which is probably why we never had the issue come up. Silly us.

Well yes, if you sent your children to a private Jewish school I imagine Santa Claus wasn't a hot topic.

So, you come to this thread and make assertions about how ridiculous it is that a non-believing child might be forced to lie while discussing Santa Claus when you really have very little experience with the topic at all. Interesting.

[Let's Roll]

Typical lib - if they can't be a perpetual child and God knows they try - they will see to it that actual children can't enjoy their childhood either.

Farisi's next class for your six year old will be instructions on how to clothe a cucumber with a condom.

[safisoft]

Well yes, if you sent your children to a private Jewish school I imagine Santa Claus wasn't a hot topic.

I am not Jewish. My wife and I homeschooled our two oldest sons, and our third is being homeschooled now.

[expatguy]

Hopefully Santa Claus will visit her and dump a load of coal on her front yard.

[Dianna]

But considering the fact that we celebrate Hanukkah this time of year, and we celebrate the birth of the Messiah during the Feast of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) in Sept/Oct (which was the more likely time of His birth) my kids don't have to answer the "Santa" question - they just could say, "Santa doesn't come to houses with Menorahs." < grin >

I am not Jewish.

Whatever floats your boat.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

People like this should not teach small children.

[Junior]

Gee, can't we let the children enjoy the myth for a little while?

Amen! The kids'll learn the truth soon enough on their own. Let them enjoy this little thing while they can.

[Luke Skyfreeper]

What exactl is the difference in YOU not telling your children about Santa Claus and them not telling their friends?

Not one thing.

You're dodging the point, which is about the only thing you can do, since you're clearly wrong.

If I instruct my children not to reveal a secret, or to leave it to the appropriate authorities to correct the misconceptions of other children, that is NOT the same thing as INSTRUCTING THEM TO LIE (which is precisely the allegation and false accusation that you made).

Any assertion to the contrary (should you continue to make it) will only prove that you're an imbecile.

[Dianna]

If I instruct my children not to reveal a secret, or to leave it to the appropriate authorities to correct the misconceptions of other children, that is NOT the same thing as INSTRUCTING THEM TO LIE (which is precisely the allegation and false accusation that you made).

And when discussions of Santa come up, as they inevitably do this time of year, do your children "play along" so as not to reveal the secret or remain mute?

[Luke Skyfreeper]

You may not lie to your children, but if you tell them not to tell other children, you're telling them to lie.

Oh, and here you are again, making the same idiotic, illogical, non-sequitur, and falsely accusing honest people of lying.

So... tell me something. If desisting from proclaiming the absolute TRUTH about Santa Claus to other children is LYING (as you have stubbornly contended), what is overtly telling them that the popular children's version?

Obviously, that's lying as well, but of a stronger sort.

So not only are you accusing honest parents (who share with their children the truth of St. Nicholas) of lying (or at least of forcing their kids to lie).

You are also calling ALL ON THIS THREAD WHO ALLOW THEIR CHILDREN TO ENTERTAIN THE FANCIFUL IDEA OF SANTA CLAUS LIARS AS WELL.

In fact, to process your logic, the ONLY people who AREN'T either LIARS or THOSE WHO MAKE THEIR CHILDREN INTO LIARS are those who both tell their children the full unvarnished truth of Santa Claus, and insist that their children tell all of their friends as well.

So tell me, Howlin, is this what you personally do? Because if it isn't, then you're not only a false accuser, but a hypocrite.

Oh. And a Merry Christmas to you, too. :-)