playful Scrooging

[anotheranon]

Am I a total killjoy that I find this (found over at Pharyngula) rather amusing?

'Cos when I think about it, it does seem a bit weird/excessive to invent a jolly, gift-bearing man in red when all the Christmas decorations, gifts, etc. are going to be equally fun whether they come from Santa or Mom and Dad.

I mean, why not tell kids that Wonder Woman is bringing gifts to all the good boys and girls? At least it would render moot the thing about not letting kids find out that Santa isn't real.

I actually don't remember when I figured out that Santa=parents, but I don't remember being particularly traumatized or upset by it.

When/how did you find out about Santa (if you come from that background)?

Comments

Santa

[timcharmorbien.livejournal.com]

I was around 15 when I actually saw Moma putting the gifts under the tree. I knew for sometime where the gifts came from because back then there were such things as layaways that Moma would speak of to the adults but not us, and charities like Nashville's "Big Brothers" that brought food and toys to our home. I just didn't want to give up the fantasy that such a person existed that cared enough to bring me a gift for merely being a good girl and believing in him.
Knowing did not affect my belief in God, Jesus, or Heaven. I felt I had proof of their existence. What the adults tried to teach me about them however was not necessary what I believed about them.
I choose to believe in magic and fairies, too. I guess you could say I live in my own little world and sometimes I'll invite others in.

Re: Santa

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

I just didn't want to give up the fantasy that such a person existed that cared enough to bring me a gift for merely being a good girl and believing in him.

That does indeed make sense.

And I've got no problems with beliefs that one freely chooses. It's mindless or coerced belief systems that give me serious pause.