[TaxRelief]

As innocent as they seem, Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy are definitely cute anti-Christian little tricks.

When kids are little, all the grown-ups, that they trust, tell them that there are wonderful, magical, gift-bearing creatures who come and visit their house throughout the year.

(Oh, by the way, they also tell their kids that their is a God, who doesn't bring any gifts, that they also should believe in.)

Well one day when they are about 8 years old, they find out that the adults, who they trusted, MADE UP all that stuff about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy because it was FUN!

("Oh, by the way, that stuff about God, who doesn't bring any gifts, that part was true.")

Really, you can trust me."

See, eight-year-olds can tell their parents are finally telling the truth. Can't they?

[B-Chan]

Consider

[GraniteStateConservative]

So discourage all imagination activities? Good plan. You'll end up with Algore. Congrats.

[ApplegateRanch]

("Oh, by the way, that stuff about God, who doesn't bring any gifts, that part was true.")

Really, you can trust me."

See, eight-year-olds can tell their parents are finally telling the truth. Can't they?

Absolutely. They KNOW you are telling the truth, because you made up the nice parts to make them happy.

But they instinctively realize that you must be telling the truth now, because NOBODY could make up the Old Curmudgeon Who can't Wait to zap them with a lightening bolt, and is rubbing His hands in happy anticipation of listening to them screaming, as they sizzle like a piece of bacon for eternity, if they think Bad Thoughts about the anything...

Unfortunately, that is the message too many convey to their kids, rather than the message of love and forgiveness.

[firebrand]

Good reply. This is why I never told my child there was a Santa. Many times I have been gratified by her instant and total belief when I told her something. She knew I would never lie to her. That's worth more than a million Santas with their fun and games.

[TexasRepublic]

I have pondered your idea for years, but I'll bet most 8-year-olds understand the difference between a once-a-year fantasy and a serious weekly religious observance - I know I did.

[frgoff]

If your kids believe in God only because you told them, then their faith is on a pretty weak foundation. My kids believe in God because they went and found Him for themeselves. I basically told them: God is real. Here's how I found out. Now go find out for yourselves.