Playing devil's advocate on Santa..

Firstly, thank you all SO much for your thought-provoking comments on my last 2 posts (post 1, post 2 ) about the whole Santa issue!!
I have thought about it all, and spoken with Chris & one of my friends...and really, I am still unsure about what I think!

The Church doesn't give any sort of overt teaching on this, so we are free to use our own conscience, experiences and human reasoning to come to the conclusion that we each think is best for our own selves and families with all things taken into consideration.

I really respect Michelle Arnold, the apologist who gave her opinion in the original question on Catholic Forums. I have been reading her answers for a few years on the 'Ask an Apologist' section of Catholic forums, and I've always found her answers to be objective and truthful, even if it's not what the questioner wants to here at all! I also really do respect all of your opinions and thoughts, especially those of you whom I know through blogs or in real life!

Given I don't have any children, this issue is not particularly relevant to me now, however it has been interesting to think about anyway!
Also, it would be arrogant of me to pretend I know what it is like to raise children because I don't, so I may be wrong in my assessment of their behaviour.

However, as most of the comments that I read are "pro" Santa, I would quite like to play devil's advocate with this issue, and bring up any counter-arguments I can think of.

These don't necessarily reflect my opinion on the issue (which as I said, is not really formed), but they are just arguments that I guess one could say, if one really wanted to push it...!



Firstly, if I may summarise what I see as being the main "Pro" arguments :

- Santa is just a continuation of the wonderful charitable work of St. Nicholas

- Imagination, fun play, fiction & myths are important & healthy for children

- All children in society are told about Santa, so the child may feel left out. Plus it is 'cute' and 'sweet' and enjoyable for children to believe in him.


From what I've read, I think those 3 pretty much sum up all the major groups of arguments in favour.

Now here are some counter arguments to each of those reasons;


1. If Santa is meant to be continuing the work of St. Nicholas, then some may argue why not just tell kids that "St. Nicholas" is coming?

That might have more truth in it than saying 'Santa' is bringing the present.
Being a Saint, if couples prayed to St. Nicholas for financial stability, he could interceed for them, and so in a way, he would be the one who is bring children their presents (through his prayerful intercession).

Some may argue that actually telling a child that Santa is coming, and it is Santa who is going to bring them presents is...just not true, in any way at all.

Santa, as the fat jolly men in the red suit was cemented in society in the 1940s thanks to a Coca Cola advert campaign. Which, some may say, doesn't really seem like a great reason for religious families to be using him in a religious celebration.

Some may say that he is an un-necceasry product of a secular society, and that, in such times where secularism is rife and every thing of religion significance is being stripped from poeple's lives, we few believers, should strive to purify our children's up-bringing from such trends.


2. Some may also argue that claiming Santa is akin to myths and legend stories, or Tolkein's book is not an entirely valid comparison.

When we read such books to our children, we acknowledge that these are just stories. Magical stories...but stories none-the-less.
We don't actually say "Yes, the hobbits are real! If you are a good boy they might come and bring you presents!".

Of course not! We wouldn't actually do things to encourage children to believe that they are real and that the characters really existed.

With Santa, parents actively do things to encourage children to beleive that he exists. Like leaving our cookies for him. Or telling children that they have to go to bed early because Santa is coming.

As we don't do that when reading fairy-tales to children, some may therefore claim that the comparison isn't valid.

In one you are entering a magical land...in your own mind.
In the other, you are positively behaving in a way that encourages belief in something that isn't real.

If children, being children, believe that Hobbits are real and live at the end of the garden...well, fair enough! They are small and imaginative and make-believe fantasy play come naturally to them! Let them believe it!

I think it would be a bit over-the-top if we sat down every 3 year old and said "No, little Jimmy, Snow White doens't really exist. She is just made up." There is clearly no harm in letting children engage in make-believe. They do it all the time.

But is there a difference between allowing children to engage in make-believe, and creating & encourgaing them (for many years) to believe in something un-true


Also, some may argue that the mystery of Christmas, where God becomes Man, is mystery enough in itself.
Do we really need to invent something else to make it "mysterious" or "exciting"?
If so, could this be suggesting somthing to our children about the incarnation and birth of our Lord? It is not important or exciting enough, but rather requires a "Santa" to make it so?


The beauty of the trust and humility of Mary & Joseph, the manger, the donkey, the shepherds, the wise-men....it's all so pure and holy.

Some might question what Santa adds to that mystery, and whether throwing in Santa might cheapen the day somewhat.



- Thirdly, some may say that it's not really an issue that children will feel "left out" because their little friends believe in Santa but they don't.
Quite frankly for children, the best part of it all is the surprise of the presents!
Not necessarily who brings them!




Finally, one other thing that some might argue...

If society had never invented Santa, would we, as the Catholic community, feel any need to invent him for Christmas Day?


If we look totally objectively at it, and strip away all the societal attributes, the 'cuteness' factor, and the fact that 'everyone else does it', and look at it hand-in-hand with Jesus and Mary...is there really any value or necessity in Santa?


FINALLY...

here is a fantastic page on St. Nic!!