I thought I’d post this now, because firstly we’re just coming into that time of year, and secondly the thread started by Mulan called Confession got into this subject and started me thinking.
I could’ve posted this as a reply in that thread, I suppose, but I wanted to discuss it separately. Besides, it’s been MONTHS since I saw my name up there in a “Thread Started By” capacity, so I thought it was time.
Concerning Santa Claus, then.
The whole Christmas issue is, of course, one of the meanest, most joy-denying, life-diminishing teachings in the whole miserable JW mindset. The loss of opportunities for family bonding, memory-building and simple goodwill has been discussed on this site many times. But rather than rehash all that, I just want to talk about Santa Claus specifically. (Much more commonly referred to as Father Christmas here in the UK, btw).
It seems to me that the idea of Santa is one of the most brilliant and joy-giving creations of our whole western culture. A tangible, visible figure, easily conceived and recognised by a 2 year old, representing goodness, families and warmness, a spirit of giving and unconditional love. An everyday figure of flesh-and-blood that you can meet in any department store, but - for young children - possessing magical qualities nonetheless.
Now, it’s possible to take a much more jaundiced view of all this, to point out that Santa can represent a spirit of getting, not giving, of greed, ingratitude and envy. No doubt that can be true, too. We’ve all met kids (and adults) like that.
My point here is that in the great Scales of Life - on balance - Santa accounts for much more joy and goodness than pain and hurt. And certainly, in remembering the dull and colourless non-Christmases of my youth (raised in The Truth), you can bet that we absolutely go to town in our household at Christmas: Trees, decorations, presents and lights.
And Santa.
The kids these days are old enough to know it’s me in the suit, but we do it anyway – because, I guess, it’s our tradition and it’s also such a brilliant laugh.
A lifetime ago, back in The Truth, I remember an elder discussing these things with me while I was pioneer youth. How terrible these worldly people are! They teach their children a lie! How do you think these poor kids will feel when they realise one day that they’ve been duped? There is no Father Christmas, it’s all a deception! They’ll never trust their parents again! No wonder the whole world is in such a screwed up state when we deliberately teach our kids falsehoods like this! How grateful we can be to Jehovah that….[blah blah]
His argument has always stuck in my mind over the years. I didn’t like it, but I had to admit that it was a powerful argument: “How can you deliberately promote a lie like that? Surely it’s harmful? In what other circumstance could you possibly feel that it’s acceptable to encourage ideas in your youngsters that you knew were not true? You’re sponsoring a falsehood, like the Father of the Lie, Satan.”
It’s an argument used by many Witnesses.
But think about it for a minute.
In what circumstances DO you encourage ideas in your youngsters that you absolutely KNOW are untrue? And furthermore, do this daily, routinely, without a thought?
The answer is so mundane and everyday, you might not even have guessed it yet.
Here’s a clue:
“Look at me, Daddy! I’m a horsey!”
“Hey Jamie, great horse! Look at me, I’m a horsey too! You can be a cowboy and ride on me!”
Its called PLAYING. We all play with our kids, every day.
Now, there’s an adult part of us that knows that Jamie is not LITERALLY, TRUTHFULLY a horse, but we’re not shocked by what he says. We don’t rush in to correct him “I’m sorry Jamie, but that’s just not true – you see, horses are four-legged animals that live out on the plains…”
We all understand games and playacting. It creates no conflict within us that the statements made while playing are not literally true. We enter the spirit of the game.
(Finally, getting to my point) And, of course it’s the same thing with Santa Claus.
It is the EXACT same thing.
Santa Claus is an elaborate, years-long game played by parents and children. It brings huge enjoyment to both sides. When the kids are too old for the game, they instinctively understand the spirit of it. And those kids grow up to play the game all over again with THEIR kids.
Have you ever, EVER, even once, heard of a child who grew up complaining of being damaged by the “deception” over Santa? No, and neither have I. Because it isn’t that kind of of cruel deception, it’s a loving, playful, giving, GAME.
Ever seen a kid who’s too old to believe himself in Santa, but has a younger cousin or friend round and the parents say : “Now, Timmy still believes in Santa, so you go along with it too!” - and watch the older kid enter into the spirit of it? They know the way the game works.
Don’t fall for the Witness argument. Santa is a brilliant, joy-bringing, life-enhancing marvellous part of Christmas.
Enjoy the game
Duncan
(who needs less padding every year in that suit)