The Santa Claus Code

[Cartoonist]

I recently posted an analogy in this group addressing the issue of separation of church and state. I framed my argument using a popular character that has ALWAYS been associated with Christianity. While his attributes may have precedents similar to earlier legends, his name and mission are specifically and irrevocably Christian. As with all legends, the truth becomes mingled with fantasy and it is sometimes hard to separate the two.

I used this Character to make a point about the separation of church and state. What disturbed me about some of the replies is that they focused on the character instead of the point raised, as though my use of the character somehow invalidated my argument. "They can't see the forest for the trees" is probably the most apt phrase to describe their comments.

Here, I would like to address the talking points concerning this character as he is often brought up in religious discussions, much to the dismay and botheration of some people.

1) Why Santa?

Santa is familiar to people of many faiths. He is clearly the most recognized figure in the entire Christian pantheon, even surpassing Jesus himself. Children are introduced to him long before they can comprehend the history and significance of The Passion. His involvement in Christ's birthday celebration has even led to the usurpation of reality. The Church, out of hate, jealousy and envy, suborned the festivities of the winter solstice in their effort to defeat Paganism. Not many children can tell you when the winter solstice is, or even what it is, but damn near all of them can tell you when Christmas time is here.

Why not use a different character instead? Because of Santa fatigue, some people find the reference uninspired and tiresome. Nevertheless, few are as familiar and knowledgeable about any other figure. Using the Scorpion King as an example would only draw blank looks and draw the debate off track.

2) There is a difference between believing in Santa and believing in God

Only someone who wholly and unquestionably believes in God can say that. It is personal with them. To compare their faith with some charlatan is a direct insult, not only to their faith, but to themselves personally. Expect much vituperation from these people should you claim there is no difference.

To the rest of us, it is simply academic. What is the history? What are the proofs? What are the facts? In any comparison, the similarities between Santa Claus and God are many. Both are mythical beings with supernatural powers. There is a complete lack of any physical proof of either existence. Their creation has more to do with the pacification and pleasure of mankind than with any real consideration of the workings of the universe. Both beings have the power to reward or punish people for their behavior. (naughty or nice)(Heaven or coal). Their popular physical characteristics are so similar, it appears they were separated at birth. (gray hair and long beard) The only difference is that Santa prefers red. Their believers are expected to regularly petition these beings with prayer or letters to Santa. I could go on, but you get the point.

As for differences, they are arbitrary and inconsequential. The argument some believers put forward is that there are more believers in God than there is in Santa. It's as though reality is subject to a popular vote, or that there is truth in numbers. The most convincing demolition of such an absurd notion is the orbit of the Earth. At one time, everybody on the planet believed the Sun orbited the Earth. This was not a belief, but an accepted fact. Then along came Copernicus. He was just one man against the entire population of the world, but he was right and everyone else was wrong.

3) Santa is not connected to Christianity

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=371

The legend of the "three children" gave rise to his patronage of children and various observances, ecclesiastical and secular, connected there with; such were the boy bishop and especially in Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, the giving of presents in his name at Christmas time. This custom in England is not a survival from Catholic times. It was popularized in America by the Dutch Protestants of New Amsterdam who had converted the popish saint into a Nordic magician (Santa Claus = Sint Klaes = Saint Nicholas) and was apparently introduced into this country by Bret Harte.

I can add nothing to that. Should someone continue to claim that Santa has no connection to Christianity, then the debate is over, for that person has completely lost their grip on reality.

If you've gotten this far, thank you for your patience and interest. More might follow, and I welcome further discussion.

[rug]

1. You've just spent many dozens of words on an association fallacy.

Again.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. Perhaps Santa acts as a gateway to belief in God

Children are started off with the concept of a being who watches over all the world, and rewards goodness (and perhaps punishes naughtiness, though that's just a rumour, because no child ever does get punished - thus reassuring everyone that they really are personally good). And, for children who are unlikely to either grasp concepts of afterlives or promises of jam tomorrow, the presents do turn up. Well, looks like we have some evidence for Santa.

After a bit, this fiction becomes too unbelievable to maintain (for instance, a child gets a real idea of what can and cannot fly, how big the world is, how you can get into houses, or what people have the capability of doing). Plus it's nice for the children to actually be grateful to their parents for the presents, not to an imaginary being. But, by then, you've introduced the idea of the all-seeing judge of goodness, and you may be able to move on to what happens to people when they die - older children have a proper idea of a lifespan, and may well have known people who have died. And as we grow up, we become more willing to do something now, and wait for the benefit. So in comes God, and heaven, and rewards in the afterlife for your good behaviour now.

[Cartoonist]

3. Consider the opposite

From my own experience, it may have provided me with an out. Like most of us, we never had a choice as to what religion we belonged to. Note that I said belong, not believe. Our parents chose our religion. They chose it before we were born, as their parents chose it for them, and so on going back generations. The only disruptions coming when members of different religions married and one converted or some other accommodation was made.

From birth, our parents made sure that the only kind of religious instruction we received was closely guarded. There was no exposure to any other ways of thought. Even among Christian sects there was a wall that could not be breached. Lutheran children were taught that Methodists were wrong and vice versa. As children, we had no defense against this type of brainwashing. By the time we reached five, the brainwashing was so complete, we actually believed it was our own choice.

Enter Santa Claus. This was another belief our minds were fucked with from birth. And like religion, it was a way to control our behavior. To make us good so that we would be rewarded. The only difference in this case is that this belief was never fortified. When any doubts surfaced, they were treated softly, and were not punished. In fact, loss of belief was seen as a sort of coming of age. Time to put away the toys and pick up the books.

For many, it was also the beginning of cynicism. Upon realizing that there really is no Santa Claus, sadness was quickly followed by a feeling of betrayal. One realized that they had been lied to all their short life, and no one ever apologized for it. As one grew older, one wondered what else they were being told that was a lie. Cigarettes are mild. Beer is refreshing. Cars make you desirable to the opposite sex. Jesus saves.

That last one though, was a rock. A lifetime of brainwashing so internalized is hard to overcome. It took me years of doubt and uncertainty before I was finally able to cast off all religious bullshit. I feel I owe part of the strength it took to overcome my doubts, to Santa, and how it felt to be grownup to cast aside a belief in fairy tales. I am waiting for the rest of mankind to grow up and cast aside all gods and get down to the business of reality.

[trotsky]

4. I think that's a very interesting concept.

Santa can be seen as a simplified version of Christian theology.