Why do we teach our children to lie?

[Wingwalker]

Ok Thoughtful, I agree with you too.

I was brought up with santa, the tooth fairy and the easter bunny. My children were not. Well they were brought up knowing that it was parents who played the roles in life. These characters were no more real to them than bugs bunny and mickey mouse. They are teenagers now and still believe in Christ Jesus. And I have grown to make sure, that under the tree at Christmas time, there are no Santas on the wrapping paper, and no santa or reindeer figurines on the tree. I do what I can to make the holiday a reminder for why and Whom we celebrate, that I purposely keep santa and the elves and reindeer out it. But this is just me. I just cant seem to find a better spot for them except in the fireplace and the city wont let me light a fire in the fire place.

[Vickilynn]

Shalom,

For as many posts that say lying to children is OK and they won't grow up to question the existence of G-d, there are jusrt as many saying the opposite and citing experiences with it.

I for one, was not willing to take that chance.

I also do not believe it is very Christian to lie, especially to our children. I don't see any Biblical support for doing so. IN fact, the Bible says not to lie. So those who argue that it's OK to lie have no Biblical ground to argue.

[Vickilynn]

First, it's not an argument

Shalom Thoughtful,

No, you missed the point.

It is an argument, as in your point of discussion in this topic. Your side is your "argument."

Second, as i stated before, all parents lie to their children, no exceptions.

Actually, you're incorrect. There is no such thing as "no exceptions." You cannot make that blanket statement and be correct. You should know that these types of generalities are not logical.

Vickilynn, you seem to have very strong opinions on Santa and Christmas etc, etc.

First off, my opinion is my opinion. You don't know how "strong" my opinion is. We all have opinion here, you too. So yes, I have an opinion and I post it. It's what we do here.

But I highly doubt that telling a child about Santa Claus will confuse them about Jesus.

Number one, you are NOT a parent. You have no experience with raising children and knowing what they will or won't do. I don't say that to be mean, but simply that it's the truth and it's also common sense, which you highly regard. Whether you doubt it or not has no bearing on the truth that it happens.

Did you perchance read Butero's post in this thread? He gives examples. I know personally of families where it happened. Experience always trumps opinion. It never happened in my family because we refused to lie to our children. When you get to be a parent, you can make the choice to lie to your children or not. However, lying is wrong according to the Bible.

The bottom line is Thoughtful, I live my life by the Bible, not man's opinion. You will see that in my posts over and over. G-d's Word is the authority, not man's opinion. The Bible says we are not to lie. Period. There is no excuse for deliberately lying to children for whatever reason.

[Emily~Anne]

Just cause parents choose not to tell their kids that Santa is real doesnt mean they are flat out totally against Santa altogether and avoid him like the devil. Too many blanket statements and generalizations going on lately at Worthy. My belief is that Santa Claus comes out of Saint Nicholas who was in fact an actual Saint. The problem is, there are too many variations in the story on Saint Nicholas so it makes it hard for me to know if I am really teaching my kids the reliable true story on Saint Nicholas. But, that's not all that important anyways. The important thing is we do in fact know about the birth of Jesus and that story is right in the bible and everything in God's word is indeed reliable!

It may shock you that I actually have two pictures hanging up of Santa Claus on either side of our fireplace mantel. I remember them from when I was a little girl growing up in Maine. My father loved Christmas so much. His eyes would twinkle and we'd sit by the fireplace together drinking eggnog, laughing and talking and just being together. We'd have Christmas music playing. Anyways, the pictures bring back those happy memories. My father died when I was 9 years old.

[Scarletprayers]

Just cause parents choose not to tell their kids that Santa is real doesnt mean they are flat out totally against Santa altogether and avoid him like the devil. Too many blanket statements and generalizations going on lately at Worthy. My belief is that Santa Claus comes out of Saint Nicholas who was in fact an actual Saint. The problem is, there are too many variations in the story on Saint Nicholas so it makes it hard for me to know if I am really teaching my kids the reliable true story on Saint Nicholas. But, that's not all that important anyways. The important thing is we do in fact know about the birth of Jesus and that story is right in the bible and everything in God's word is indeed reliable!

It may shock you that I actually have two pictures hanging up of Santa Claus on either side of our fireplace mantel. I remember them from when I was a little girl growing up in Maine. My father loved Christmas so much. His eyes would twinkle and we'd sit by the fireplace together drinking eggnog, laughing and talking and just being together. We'd have Christmas music playing. Anyways, the pictures bring back those happy memories. My father died when I was 9 years old.

[Emily~Anne]

Thank you Scarlet. I know you know what it's like to really miss someone, especially around the holidays.

[Scarletprayers]

Thank you Scarlet. I know you know what it's like to really miss someone, especially around the holidays.

Yes dear heart, I do!

[Vickilynn]

Just cause parents choose not to tell their kids that Santa is real doesnt mean they are flat out totally against Santa altogether and avoid him like the devil. Too many blanket statements and generalizations going on lately at Worthy. My belief is that Santa Claus comes out of Saint Nicholas who was in fact an actual Saint. The problem is, there are too many variations in the story on Saint Nicholas so it makes it hard for me to know if I am really teaching my kids the reliable true story on Saint Nicholas. But, that's not all that important anyways. The important thing is we do in fact know about the birth of Jesus and that story is right in the bible and everything in God's word is indeed reliable!

It may shock you that I actually have two pictures hanging up of Santa Claus on either side of our fireplace mantel. I remember them from when I was a little girl growing up in Maine. My father loved Christmas so much. His eyes would twinkle and we'd sit by the fireplace together drinking eggnog, laughing and talking and just being together. We'd have Christmas music playing. Anyways, the pictures bring back those happy memories. My father died when I was 9 years old.

Shalom Emily Anne,

No, it doesn't shock me. And I don't see the problem. As this thread states, it's about lying to your kids, telling them Santa is real and the one bringing them presents. You don't do that, so there is nothing wrong with the sentimental attachment to Santa that you have. Now, if you were telling them that Santa is real...that would be a different story. But, as the thread asks..."Why do we teach our children to lie."? I don't see you're doing that by having your dad's pictures on the wall.

[Emily~Anne]

I was responding more to Thoughtful saying things like 'Santa is not a pseudonym for Satan' and such. Just want to let him know we dont have to see it as black or white. Those who choose not to tell their kids about Santa do not necessarily liken Santa to Satan.

And yes, hangng the pictures is not telling my kids that Santa is real. They know why I have them hanging.

[Vickilynn]

Shalom Emily Anne,

Gotcha!! Thanks for clarifying that. I know we miss our loved ones so much every day, but the holidays are especially difficult. I pray G-d's comfort and peace for you dear. :::hugs:::