He is as secular and/or pagan as the Tree and gift giving the holly and the mistletoe.
Queue South Park's “Santa Clause -vs- Jesus” the grudge match of the millennium! :)
‘Santa’ is a part of OUR culture, our history.
“Part of our challenge in Head Start is providing an environment where young children from many different cultures can all feel comfortable.”
The parents, if one the side of Santa, need a massive protest infront of Ch 5 news.
Butt sitting is not allowed
Yeah, it’s kind of funny. They used to go after Jesus and try to X-mas him out of the equation. I guess they feel they did so well with that, that now they can elevate Frosty and disappear Santy. I’ve been noticing that there are only about 10 Christmas songs that still get played on muzak and the radio station that plays Christmas music. They’re the only ones that are completely secular.
BTW, I used to dislike the abbreviation X-mas, but I read a few years ago that it is hundreds of years old and literally means “Cross” or “Christ” Mass, so it’s ok.
He is based on Saint Nicholaus (literally “Saint Claus “) of Turkey, who was famous for giving gifts around christmastime. He was watered down into a secular figure to make him more palatable for non xtians.
I agree with you, but if I lived in or near St. Peter, MN, I'd be going to a costume place, and buying a Santa costume, and I'd be out front of that school when students arrive and when school lets out. I'd be walking up and down in front of the school with a very loud "Ho, ho, ho!"
And if I could find a big black man to go with me, I'd put the money out for TWO costumes.
“Santa Clause has NOTHING, I repeat, NOTHING to do with actual Christianity.”
oh reallly ....
http://www.suite101.com/content/st-nicholas-the-wonderworker-a127959
Santa Claus is Christian and ... American(!) update on Saint Nicholas ...
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=35