Comments for Santa: My Children Didn't Myth Him at http://www.randi.org/site , comment 1 to 8 out of 8 comments http://www.randi.org/site Mon, 20 May 2013 16:22:23 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/1949-santa-my-children-didnt-myth-him.html#comment-26194 Great article; puts my mind at ease as I'm about to record my own version of a popular Christmas carol. The lack of editing (no period at the end, "had had stayed up late...", "to afraid to stand up...", poor 'dad' not capitalized while myth Santa is...) is a disturbing trend in these Swift articles though. I aint an English whiz, but I'd be willing to edit some of these articles, since clearly no one else is reading these before they're published. Just drop me a note, Swift--consider it a one-time Christmas present offer. ;) - Stanfr Mon, 17 Dec 2012 19:42:03 +0100 http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/1949-santa-my-children-didnt-myth-him.html#comment-26193 Just this very night my 4 1/2 yr. old daughter was in the car talking about Santa Claus. I'm not sure how the conversation came up while she was talking to her mother as I was busy driving, however I perked up when she stated, "... but I don't believe in elves." and I piped up, "Why don't you believe in elves?" and she states rather correctly, "Well, I've never seen an elf and they have pointed ears. I have never seen anyone with pointed ears." I couldn't have been more surprised and impressed with her line of reasoning and told her as much. I asked her about Santa, "So why do you believe in Santa?" and she replied, "I had my picture taken with him at the mall, remember Dad?" Which was absolutely correct. You cannot get any better evidence than that for 4 1/2 yrs. old, I would argue. - Chunick Mon, 17 Dec 2012 18:00:59 +0100 http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/1949-santa-my-children-didnt-myth-him.html#comment-26191 They also have Jeebus on speed dial... ;D - Brookston John Mon, 17 Dec 2012 00:25:27 +0100 http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/1949-santa-my-children-didnt-myth-him.html#comment-26185 [quote]It's like going to Disney World and meeting Mickey. I know it's a person in a furry suit.[/quote] NO!!!! Why was I not informed of this earlier?! I'm not sure I have the will to go on.... - EarlyOut Thu, 13 Dec 2012 18:27:07 +0100 http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/1949-santa-my-children-didnt-myth-him.html#comment-26184 I was standing in front of my house with my neighbor last weekend and we were discussing the huge electric bill now that lights adorn the outside of our houses. A few minutes in to the conversation an older gentleman, seemed to be of Indian or Pakistani persuasion came up to us and was asking about some entirely unrelated thing. I'm not sure but I think he wanted to know if either of us knew where he could find a used, but small, garbage can for his plants. I don't know, maybe Orchard Supply? Anyway, he walked away and we both said, "Happy Holiday's"! He turned and said, "It's, Merry Christmas, not Happy Holidays", and he laughed. Sorry! Just trying to be PC! Anyway, I'm Atheist and I've never had a problem getting in to the 'Christmas' spirit. I enjoyed leading my kids to believe there was really a Santa Claus, and as they grew older they inevitably got suspicious and asked me if he were real. I asked what they thought. The response was always, 'no, I think he's not real'. And I went on to explain that even if he weren't real, the idea of him and the story we've come to know about his home being in the North Pole, the reindeer, the elves, have all taken on a life of their own. There may not actually be a Santa Claus, but the idea of him and the fun and joy of the holiday is real, so in a sense he's a real entity because we've brought him to life with folklore and stories. My kids have always been happy and satisfied with that answer and there's never been any doubt in their mind about what the holiday is really about. And all without any reference to religion! I'm so proud that both my kids have grown up skeptical, critical thinkers that still look forward to the Christmas holiday season with excited anticipation. They're ages 24 and 18 today. I love the holiday as much as I did as a child, and the same is true of Disneyland. I don't think there need be any religious connection to Christmas to enjoy all that the season brings with it. Charity, celebration of family, the bright decorations and colorfully lit trees, all bring out the best in people. Even those that believe the Jesus connection, I don't see how the stringing of electrical wire and lights all over homes and trees has anything to do with him. - kurtoli2 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:12:37 +0100 http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/1949-santa-my-children-didnt-myth-him.html#comment-26183 I told him when he was about 10 that if he didn't believe in Father Christmas I wouldn't need to get him any presents. He's 33 now and he still tells me he believes. :D - FrankH Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:01:23 +0100 http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/1949-santa-my-children-didnt-myth-him.html#comment-26182 My mother swears this story is true. When I was naughty, she'd often say she was going to phone Santa and tell him not to bring me any xmas presents. It worked for quite a while, but one time I decided to challenge her, and I said "all right, ring him". Rather than back down, my mother rang the Talking Clock. When it picked up, she started speaking into the phone, saying, "Santa Claus? Kenneth is being a very naughty boy and he doesn't deserve any xmas presents this year". But even then, I had my skeptical instincts, so I said "Let me speak to him!". My mother was quick, I'll give her that, and she immediately came up with "All right, but Santa just got a new watch, and all he wants to do is tell people what time it is". And handed me the phone. So, the conversation went: Me: Hello? Santa? Phone: On the third stroke, it will be three, fifty-two, and ten seconds.... I can't remember what happened after that. Wouldn't expect to really, it was almost 2 years ago :D - kdv Thu, 13 Dec 2012 05:41:48 +0100 http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/1949-santa-my-children-didnt-myth-him.html#comment-26181 Children understand playing pretend to have fun. As they grow up and realize Santa's not real, however it happens, they will understand that it was fun to pretend. In college my brother and I still pretended for fun - we put out cookies and went to bed at 11:59 pm on the dot so we weren't up past midnight. Hell, I tell my cat that Santa brings him new toys for being such a good kitty. It's like going to Disney World and meeting Mickey. I know it's a person in a furry suit. It's just more fun to say hi and get a hug. - LovleAnjel Thu, 13 Dec 2012 05:19:45 +0100