Does Santa exist?

[Kathryn]

I can't do it - I just can't participate in this thread. I know you can't see me, but I'm running screaming from the room.

 

[outhouse]

Not always. Society and parents are a major part for about 95% or so though.


Why do I hold the religious views I currently do, when they are not shared by my family, nor is it 'the norm' where I am from?

I should have stated in general, my bad

 

[URAVIP2ME]

Why compare God to Santa?

Is Santa really the god of Christmas?

 

[linwood]

Just found this app online tonight.

Thought it was pretty relevant to this thread.

I also think any parent who uses it to fool their child has at least some slight mental problem.

Elf Cam for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store

 

[Pegg]

I would like to start a debate based on the evidence for and against the existence of Santa Claus.

What is the evidence for Santa?

What is the evidence against Santa?

Why do you believe/not believe in Santa?

are you being serious?

 

[linwood]

are you being serious?

Completely.

 

[Dan4reason]

are you being serious?

A belief in Santa is a valid viewpoint.

 

[Pegg]

A belief in Santa is a valid viewpoint.

a valid viewpoint to what?

 

[Julia733]

I think Santa is real if you want him to be. He's real in the hearts of people who believe in him. He knows if you're naughty or nice!

 

[1AOA1]

Is Santa really the god of Christmas?

So if someone says Santa is bright on Christmas this means the sun is a Santa?

 

[fantome profane]

are you being serious?

Serious about what? I have yet to state a position on this issue.

I am serious that I think it is interesting what kind of arguments that people come up with for and against this idea.

 

[Pegg]

Serious about what? I have yet to state a position on this issue.

I am serious that I think it is interesting what kind of arguments that people come up with for and against this idea.

but you know that santa isnt real, right?

 

[Erebus]

but you know that santa isnt real, right?

Just going to help you out here before people jump on you saying "well God isn't real either."

This is a thought experiment, as theists it's important to get some perspective on why we believe what we do and why other people don't believe it. Santa is a brilliant analogy to work with as, like God, some people insist he's real, others don't. Also, like God, Santa is a major figure in Western culture.
Consider for example, why you believe God is real, but not Santa.

 

[Pegg]

Just going to help you out here before people jump on you saying "well God isn't real either."

This is a thought experiment, as theists it's important to get some perspective on why we believe what we do and why other people don't believe it. Santa is a brilliant analogy to work with as, like God, some people insist he's real, others don't. Also, like God, Santa is a major figure in Western culture.
Consider for example, why you believe God is real, but not Santa.

is the line between reality and fiction really so fine?

For me, God is real because
1. he has made himself known to mankind since the earliest times
& 2. we exist, life exists the universe exists in such complexity and order that it is unimaginable to me that it got here any other way then by creation.

Santa on the other hand is the product of a work of fiction... pre 1800's he was unheard of...christmas was unheard of.

 

[fantome profane]

but you know that santa isnt real, right?

I know that people really do believe stranger things.

So why don’t you believe Santa is real? It is very easy just to say he isn’t real, but it is more difficult and more interesting to try to explain why you think he isn’t real.

 

[Erebus]

is the line between reality and fiction really so fine?

For me, God is real because
1. he has made himself known to mankind since the earliest times
& 2. we exist, life exists the universe exists in such complexity and order that it is unimaginable to me that it got here any other way then by creation.

Santa on the other hand is the product of a work of fiction... pre 1800's he was unheard of...christmas was unheard of.

Fair enough. I'm not going to argue with what you said (though I expect other people will) but this is essentially what the thread is about

 

[fantome profane]

Santa on the other hand is the product of a work of fiction... pre 1800's he was unheard of...christmas was unheard of.

Again, just stating that Santa is fiction is not the same thing as giving a reason why you believe he is fiction. And as for not existing prior to the 1800’s well I am sure no one heard of you prior to 19(something). Does that mean you are fiction?

 

[Pegg]

I know that people really do believe stranger things.

So why don’t you believe Santa is real? It is very easy just to say he isn’t real, but it is more difficult and more interesting to try to explain why you think he isn’t real.

I think it is the media that brought santa to life

media is a powerful outlet... so powerful in fact that it has made santa real to many 'children' (im pretty sure no adults believe in him)

It was in the 1870s when the figure of Santa Claus first appeared in Britain,It was around that time that Charles Dickens published a story called 'A Christmas Carol'... it was the story of Scrooge. It all grew from one work of fiction....with more and more works of fiction the christmas tradition of giving was born and the man who did all the giving was santa.

there is no comparison to the bible and to God though... not for me anyway.

 

[Pegg]

Fair enough. I'm not going to argue with what you said (though I expect other people will) but this is essentially what the thread is about

yes im a little embarrassed now because i missed that...and its quite obvious to me now

 

[Erebus]

yes im a little embarrassed now because i missed that...and its quite obvious to me now

Nah don't worry about it