Is Santa Real?

[Empire of Narnia]

No, not actually. Unlike Superman millions believe Santa is a real living person and Saint Nicholas was a real person. Even Wikipedia has an article on him. Santa isn't something a comic book writer made up. He is a historical figure with centuries of varied folklore to back him up and millions of followers.

Yes, he is. He's a historical piece of folklore that has changed over time.

Santa is based off of Saint Nicholas, a very different figure than Santa who did not have any of the abilities you say he has.

So how, prey tell, can a being that is clearly based off another being (whose existence is also questionable) exist in real life?

Santa is fiction. Made up. A story that has evolved through time. The end.

He is a person that has changed over time. People change over time. The Santa from 500 years ago may not have given kids Legos but he was still a true hero that helped people.

[Limborg]

Put all of those together in a blender together with a retard from the US and you get your Santa...

No. Stop that. Shame on you. Don't make me grab a mod who isn't an active participant in the thread to smack you.

What?

[Arkandros]

No. Stop that. Shame on you. Don't make me grab a mod who isn't an active participant in the thread to smack you.

What?

Retard can be an offensive term.

[Seperates]

...

You do realize that the very concept of 'Christmas' is a pagan tradition, correct? As well, there is long tradition of similarly themed pagan demi-gods that performed similar feats (gifting etc.) on days of feasting. So, regardless of whether or not the miracles that St. Nicholas performed were 'verified', then they are as equally 'verified' as the power of these demi-gods, and the historical tradition behind them and their continuation even into Christian times stands.

Not only that, but what was St. Nicholas really known for? Giving money for the dowrys of poor women. Not giving gifts to children... Well ok, those girls were probably 14-16, but REGARDLESS, the other attributes of St. Nicholas probably come from hold-overs of pagan tradition.

Basically, if one does happen to get a package that no one bought, it's probably from the pagan demi-gods, not St. Nicholas. But on the bright side, at least you were a good little pagan that year.

Just thought I'd let you know- St. Nick is not only the patron saint of children, but also of sailors, archers, merchants, thieves, and murderers. No, you won't find that last one on Wikipedia, but it's true.

Unsurprising. That would be another hold over from pagan tradition, seeing as the demi-gods associated with those gifts were generally associated with travelers (hence why you left out food, for any travelers that passed by on the feast day, and these travelers would occasionally leave trinkets). Perhaps the emphasis on the children was actually Church construction, but there is little way historically to say that St. Nicholas had any more affinity with children than any other Messianic Saints (Saints with great miracles attributed to them).

[Limborg]

What?

Retard can be an offensive term.

Omg... then change it to "less intelligent life form"

[Arkandros]

Retard can be an offensive term.

Omg... then change it to "less intelligent life form"

That's possibly more offensive. That sounds like the American is a lesser life form. Try moronic. That usually doesn't ruffle any feathers.

[Phisych University]

Yes, he is. He's a historical piece of folklore that has changed over time.

Santa is based off of Saint Nicholas, a very different figure than Santa who did not have any of the abilities you say he has.

So how, prey tell, can a being that is clearly based off another being (whose existence is also questionable) exist in real life?

Santa is fiction. Made up. A story that has evolved through time. The end.

He is a person that has changed over time. People change over time. The Santa from 500 years ago may not have given kids Legos but he was still a true hero that helped people.

Can you explain how he went from a Saint living in Europe to a guy living in the North Pole with the ability to alter memories and break into houses undetected?

And why does he do the whole Christmas thing? Why is a Christian Saint operating according to Pagan Holidays?

[Limborg]

Omg... then change it to "less intelligent life form"

That's possibly more offensive. That sounds like the American is a lesser life form. Try moronic. That usually doesn't ruffle any feathers.

i said "a" so it doesn't mean that they all are... but very well moronic it is then;)

[Limborg]

He is a person that has changed over time. People change over time. The Santa from 500 years ago may not have given kids Legos but he was still a true hero that helped people.

Can you explain how he went from a Saint living in Europe to a guy living in the North Pole with the ability to alter memories and break into houses undetected?

He lived in Turkey... last time i checked that wasn't europe;) and he wasn't a hero either... he had slaves you know...

[Empire of Narnia]

I think God gave him the powers to do those things and provided him with a base of operations in the North Pole. The North Pole thing could be really anything from Canada, Scandinavia, or even northern Siberia. Saint Nicholas always wanted to help people so as times changed he adopted the practice of giving gifts to children on Christmas.

[Fartsniffage]

Can you explain how he went from a Saint living in Europe to a guy living in the North Pole with the ability to alter memories and break into houses undetected?

He lived in Turkey... last time i checked that wasn't europe;) and he wasn't a hero either... he had slaves you know...

When was the last time you checked?

[Limborg]

He lived in Turkey... last time i checked that wasn't europe;) and he wasn't a hero either... he had slaves you know...

When was the last time you checked?

uhmm good question.. i guess at pre-school besides that, he lived in the Asian part.

[Republic of Greater America]

No. The guy who really gives out presents is me.

[Transoxthraxia]

Yes. [/thread]

[Lowell Leber]

Yes he is. Anything saying otherwise is communist/ facist propaganda.

[Phisych University]

Can you explain how he went from a Saint living in Europe to a guy living in the North Pole with the ability to alter memories and break into houses undetected?

He lived in Turkey... last time i checked that wasn't europe;) and he wasn't a hero either... he had slaves you know...

Depends on which part of Turkey you refer to. Istanbul and west from it is in Europe. The rest is in Asia. Point is, he really changed location.

I think God gave him the powers to do those things and provided him with a base of operations in the North Pole. The North Pole thing could be really anything from Canada, Scandinavia, or even northern Siberia. Saint Nicholas always wanted to help people so as times changed he adopted the practice of giving gifts to children on Christmas.

.....

Fuck it. I'm done debating this. You "win", I suppose.

Merry Christmas.

[Sea Territory]

Santa Claus is the modern day advertisement for the moral story of St. Nicolas. Now, it seems the more naughty the more parents reward them to try to shut them up. And the good kids look content with what they have and get jack-shit. Be superbad

[Transoxthraxia]

He lived in Turkey... last time i checked that wasn't europe;) and he wasn't a hero either... he had slaves you know...

Depends on which part of Turkey you refer to. Istanbul and west from it is in Europe. The rest is in Asia. Point is, he really changed location.

I think God gave him the powers to do those things and provided him with a base of operations in the North Pole. The North Pole thing could be really anything from Canada, Scandinavia, or even northern Siberia. Saint Nicholas always wanted to help people so as times changed he adopted the practice of giving gifts to children on Christmas.

.....

Fuck it. I'm done debating this. You "win", I suppose.

Merry Christmas.

And Kwanza.

[Verdum]

It must be the ganja, smoke that marijuana...it's creeping up on me while i'm so high...

[Empire of Narnia]

He lived in Turkey... last time i checked that wasn't europe;) and he wasn't a hero either... he had slaves you know...

Depends on which part of Turkey you refer to. Istanbul and west from it is in Europe. The rest is in Asia. Point is, he really changed location.

I think God gave him the powers to do those things and provided him with a base of operations in the North Pole. The North Pole thing could be really anything from Canada, Scandinavia, or even northern Siberia. Saint Nicholas always wanted to help people so as times changed he adopted the practice of giving gifts to children on Christmas.

.....

Fuck it. I'm done debating this. You "win", I suppose.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.


......never heard the F-word and Merry Christmas in the same sentence before.

[Trotskylvania]

The article about quantum mechanics is filled with Copenhagen and verificationist assumptions.

You should be thankful. They are at least within the same ballpark as actual quantum mechanics, and not with the rest of the quantum woo.

[Fartsniffage]

Almost all that needs to be said about the existence of Santa Claus -

"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

"VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
"115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

[Riiser-Larsen]

Guys, Santa Claus is a fake being made up to make sure children behave. Seriously, didn't you even bother to ask your parents about whether they put things under the tree or in the stocking at Christmas when you got older? And I thought that the flat-earth society liked to deny obvious evidence.

[Las Palmeras]

Guys, Santa Claus is a fake being made up to make sure children behave. Seriously, didn't you even bother to ask your parents about whether they put things under the tree or in the stocking at Christmas when you got older? And I thought that the flat-earth society liked to deny obvious evidence.

Maybe you should write Sense of Humor on your list.

[Fartsniffage]

Guys, Santa Claus is a fake being made up to make sure children behave. Seriously, didn't you even bother to ask your parents about whether they put things under the tree or in the stocking at Christmas when you got older? And I thought that the flat-earth society liked to deny obvious evidence.

Maybe you should write Sense of Humor on your list.

Probably doesn't have a chimney to post it up....