Why do we teach our children to Lie?

Just another thought...since Santa's "work" happens Christmas Eve (not Christ's birth), what's the problem? This man made holiday can definately include the importance of Christ's birth to mankind, and the fun and excitement for very young children (who mostly can't comprehend the importance of Christ's birth anyway) in receiving presents from Santa. I always stress momma and dadda work with Santa

For those that disagree...do you bring you toddlers into the adult service on Sundays, or do you allow them to play in the nursery? What's the difference, really?

 

We let our kids visit Santa every year. They know the difference between pretend and reality, but they enjoy pretending in Santa Claus, just like they enjoy pretending in the tooth fairy or Easter Bunny. For them, it's a fun world of make believe and it's no different from reading them fictional stories in books, or watching a fictional movie.

 

Except if the parents were liars and drunks, then the child might have asked you for a reason. He may trust you care enough about him to give a truthful answer.

When I would hang the sock, or talk of it, it was always a Santa sock. Gifts inside the sock would show up Xmas morning.

When kids are maturing, growing out of Santa, I see no purpose in lying to them. Or refusing to answer, that is a form of rejection.
Imo, to look them in the eye and lie to them is wrong, and this is where a parent runs into trouble. Otherwise, believing in Santa is usually a fun thing for kids.
I remember being lied to when I was 5 years old, yet the circumstances surrounding it probably had more to do with why I remember. My question was "Is that grandpa?

Our drunk grandpa was chasing my 2 yr old sister around in a Santa Suit, tormenting her while my family laughed at watching her scream bloddy murder. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. Grandma wouldn't answer *the* question, which prevented me from helping my sister. I finally decided it was Grandpa, and rescued her.
Until this knowledge, I didn't have the courage to interviene and take her into the bedroom. Again, believing in Santa is usually a wonderful experience for kids, but when they ask *the* question, I believe it's time to give a truthful answer.

 

First let us get the right verbiage. I believe the KJV rendition of this verse “and he made as though he would have gone further.” is more accurate. Jesus did indeed make as though he would go further. Had His two companions not “constrained Him” to “Abide with us”, Jesus would undoubtedly have “gone further” and left the two gentlemen not being invited to stay with them. This is not pretending or lying; this would be acting out what He intended to do.

Secondly, telling your children that Santa Claus is a factual being is not pretending. You are lying to them. Pretending is your children playing dress-up and acting like they are Mommy or Daddy. They know they are not Mommy or Daddy and when playtime is over they are not deceived in believing they still are Mommy or Daddy. You convincing your children there is a Santa Claus and living the lie each year is just that: A LIE!

Are not the gifts of Our Lord Jesus Christ sufficient enough to sustain this holiday? Must we turn to a false being, a lie, to make this holy day worth while. In my house Jesus is sufficient. We celebrate the entire season from the day after Thanksgiving through to Christmas day in scripture readings of all the prophecies and stories of Christ. I also have collected many Christmas stories and poems that we share each day that convey the true meaning of Christmas in the lives of mankind. My children, from their earliest days of understanding, have always looked forward to this month and the time we share in our advent celebrations. Actually, we all get rather excited as this time draws near.

As Christians we should not dilute this holy season with false and/or worldly fabrications. 365 days a year our faith is continuously attacked and weakened by the prince of the air and his minions. Why do we assist him? Let’s be honest, here in America Santa Claus is really nothing more than commercialism personified, and if you read some of the St. Nicholas traditions from our European brethren, he can be much less than Christian.

Again I must ask: Are not the gifts of Our Lord Jesus Christ sufficient enough to sustain this holiday? In my house they are, and we have a truly joyous Christmas every year. We know it’s not called for in scripture and understand that the 25th of December is more than most likely not the day of his birth, but we enjoy honoring Him and only Him on this day that has been given us to celebrate Him.

Next you’ll be saying that Halloween is a good and harmless day. After all, they’re only pretending!

 

Then don't give presents.

Calling Christian parents "Liars" over this is offensive. I tell my kids that Santa Claus is a fun game we play. That's not a lie.

 

99% of kids don't have emotional trauma even if their parents raise them to believe in Santa Clause. Children love the season, often being left with fond memories.
Santa never hurt anybody.


Most parents mention Santa, offer gifts from Santa, attend Christmas festivities, watch Christmas shows etc...As they grow up, they will learn the difference. Until they directly ask if Santa is real, and the truth is being withheld, I don't see it as lying.

It's just the participating of a tradition.

 

If what you say is true than, no, you are not lying. I am talking of those many others that deceive their children that there actually is a Santa Claus. That is lying.

As for gifts, this can easily and honestly fit into Christmas as God gave His only begotten son as the ultimate gift to mankind. To give gifts would be a natural representation of this. However, the gift giving is never the focus of the day.

I still find it unfortunate that Christians must rely on a fabrication to make their Christmas celebration worthwhile.

 

Funny, we celebrate Christ's birth by giving gifts to each other, yet when Christ was born, He was the gift to all mankind. And He was the only one receiving a gift from mankind.

The visiting kings were not said to have given gifts to Mary and Joseph... only to the promised Messiah.

 

First, welcome to the BB. Sure started with a bang :laugh:
I'm not KJVO (as I am assuming you are). Let me ask you...did Jesus not know if they were going to invite Him or not? If anybody "makes as though" they are doing something, their intention are not in doing that.

Where do you think Santa Claus is derived from, a mongoose? He is based off an actual human being that once lived. That's factual.

Please supply Scripture stating this season is considered "holy". Christmas is man made.

I agree, and I do honor Him. Failure to agree with you does not equate failure to honor Christ.

Actually, yes. This was discussed a couple months back. Do a search.

(I hate legalism) :BangHead:

 

What KINGS? Did you fall for that line in a certain song?

 

I see it in several places, it's called giving God all the glory and praise.

Your point might be valid if Jesus weren't God.

 

We can do that without man made holidays, no?

 

Jesus' intention was to elicit a response, which he received (as He knew He would). His intention was not deceipt as you first inferred.

Once upon a time "Saint" Nicholas actually lived, but he has been dead for over 1600 years. He does not nor ever did live at the north pole, nor did he ever have a team of reindeer pulling a sleigh through the sky. He was also never officially canonized so he is not really a "saint" in the true Catholic fashion. Just another lie.

Concede this point. Christmas is man-made and not a true holy day/season (poor choice of words). I still don't see why we have to take a time that we have chosen to honor Jesus and dilute it with the world.

Why am I not surprised. All those scriptures against witchcraft, sorcery, divination, etc. and having nothing to do with them probably all fall under the catagory of legalism.

I happen to believe that the Bible is God's inerrant and wholly inspired Word. I do hold to a literal adherence to the Bible, hopefully in the Spirit for which it is intended. If that is legalism than so be it. I would rather err on the side of Christ than on the side of the world. I find that those that claim legalism are typically Bible Version jumpers that don't fully believe in the inerrancy of the Bible. There is a female preacher I know of that claims legalism quite often.

 

No...YOU called it deceipt. I called it pretending, exactly what you affirmed here, he "pretended" to go further and it was NOT lying.

Whats the lie...that a man existed where Santa was derived from? Hardly. Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph don't exist either, but is that OK?

There's hope for you yet

My son (who was dressed as a dinosaur) never participated in witchcraft, sorcery, divination, etc. He dressed up with his cousins and had a great time getting candy. Referring what we did, to your list of evil practices IS legalism.

I hold to the same things...and the legalism I am referring to can be seen in the above statements.

 

The Scripture says He made as though He would have kept going. I am not sure this statement meant He pretended that He would continue on His journey, for no doubt He would have continued had the two disciples not compelled Him to stay.

He made as though He would have gone on... All I see is Jesus continued walking when the two had stopped.

Verse 29 brings this out when it states that the two 'constrained Him'. That word constrained has an interesting translation to it.

Strong's Greek Dictionary
3849. parabiazomai
[SIZE=-1]Search for G3849 in KJVSL[/SIZE] parabiazomai parabiazomai par-ab-ee-ad'-zom-ahee from 3844 and the middle voice of 971; to force contrary to (nature), i.e. compel (by entreaty):--constrain.
See Greek 3844
See Greek 971


This implies that the Lord was of the mind to continue His journey. The two disciples whose hearts 'burned within them as He opened up the Scripture' to them wanted Him to tarry with them.. and they compelled Him to do contrary to that which He had 'made as though' He would have done.

 

So Christ had no knowledge as to what was going to transpire? That's open theism.

 

282Mikado, "Bible Version Jumpers" is offensive and if I'm not wrong is against BB policy.

 

If He was only pretending to go on, the two would not have had to force Him against His nature as the Word says they did.

 

You pulled one meaning of the word and ran with it. It also means to compel, as you posted.

I doubt they threw a nap sack over Jesus' head, tied Him with twine, threw Him over their shoulders and ran back to their house :laugh:

 

Do you think compel means differently than to force against nature?

Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry the cross of Jesus. He was pressed into public service. He did not volunteer. They had to persuade him.

Just as the two disciples had to persuade Christ to tarry.