Santa Should be Banned

[Korhal IVV]

My view shall is summed up in a South Park video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Og0dhr35y0

What. The. Hell.

[Valystria]

You know who else thought Santa should be banned? Hitler.

That doesn't mean banning Santa isn't the way forward.

The OP is a racist as he's oh-so-keen on protecting the privacy and the premises of WHITE PEOPLE (which is whom Santa "visits" mostly), but doesn't even mention about the systematic enslavement of ELVES. FOR SHAME!

ELVES ARE PEOPLE TOO!

No, she's not a racist.

The cultural custom of Santa Claus is unethical and counterproductive to the greater good. It is not only wrong to teach children to believe in the existence of a fictional character, it sets up an unhealthy mindset lacking in skepticism. But more concerningly, an immoral and criminal character is being glorified as a benevolent figure of goodness. A character who spies on people without their knowledge or consent (stalking), a character who breaks into people's houses (breaking and entering).

Some may handwave this criminal behaviour away by saying Santa gives gifts. But it's a cruel lie. A cruel lie that normalizes the act of parents lying to their own children. Surely it would be more healthy for children to be aware of having recieved gifts from their parents than to be told it came from a stalker with a habit of breaking into people's houses at night. This cultural custom skews the moral compass of children by teaching them to be good for the sake of a reward, normalizes lying, promotes an unhealthy mindset detached from fact-checking, and glorifies an individual who would be despised if anyone else were to partake in those criminal actions like stalking and breaking and entering.

We can celebrate the holidays without Santa in it. The cultural practice of Santa Claus should be done away with, perhaps going so far as a ban if that's what it takes. Thoughts?

Wait, this isn't an Infected Mushroom thread?

No, why?

Celebrate how you like, and let others celebrate how they'd like. No need for banning anything. I swear, what is it these days with the 'ban all the things' mentality? What is this, the middle ages?

There is a need to ban problematic cultural customs that don't go away on their own...

Celebrate how you like, and let others celebrate how they'd like. No need for banning anything. I swear, what is it these days with the 'ban all the things' mentality? What is this, the middle ages?

People assume that if something didn't work out in their favor then it won't work out in anybody's favor. Thus ban everything. I hate spicy food, ban all spicy food

That isn't what the Santa ban is about.

How is it hypocritical?

I was initially of the opinion that a ban against Santa would be necessary. But through the constructive criticism provided by the opposition I've been persuaded to settle on regulations mandating that parents who take part in the Santa custom are required to inform their children that Santa isn't real. I'd still prefer a ban, but I'd be okay with the regulatory compromise as it would remove the most problematic part of the cultural custom.

What other people teach their kids is none of your damn business. If you were one of the ones traumatized by finding out Santa wasn't real, then I can just pat your back and say I'm sorry.

It didn't happen to me, but it should be prevented from happening to others who are less fortunate.

The cultural custom of Santa Claus is unethical and counterproductive to the greater good. It is not only wrong to teach children to believe in the existence of a fictional character, it sets up an unhealthy mindset lacking in skepticism.

I think it's more the opposite really.

Compare and contrast, say, religious figures. Children are introduced to the likes of Santa Claus, God, Moses etc. etc. at pretty much the same ages (although, perhaps, Father Christmas and other Christmas things come a little later on), yet there is no tradition of reminiscing about when you found out that, say, market forces the Trinity is a lie/not confirmed truth/whatever you want to describe religious ideas (and figures) as being. Indeed, if you want to take representations of ten year olds as being informative of actual ten year olds, questioning the existence of Santa Claus is seen as a rite of passage.

But more concerningly, an immoral and criminal character is being glorified as a benevolent figure of goodness. A character who spies on people without their knowledge or consent (stalking), a character who breaks into people's houses (breaking and entering).

Immoral and criminal? See, only one of these ideas has been substantiated. After all, it's fairly difficult to construe Santa as being out of whack with moral ideas. I mean, this is a dude who is supposed to reward the good (which is nice) and punish the bad (commendable). In fact, it's even better than that: he does both of these things in order to bring about, er, conformity with accepted social standards of behaviour (it's not "eye for an eye" or "4 consecutive life sentences" style punishment). On the other hand, lots of people talk about slavery, mistreatment of animals so there's that.

In terms of the criminality, it's less stalking and more "knowing". This is particularly true if you go for less science-fictiony interpretations of Santa and the more fantastical ones: the naughty and nice lists sometime write themselves (hmm, a bit like the Discworld Death's library).

Some may handwave this criminal behaviour away by saying Santa gives gifts. But it's a cruel lie. A cruel lie that normalizes the act of parents lying to their own children. Surely it would be more healthy for children to be aware of having recieved gifts from their parents than to be told it came from a stalker with a habit of breaking into people's houses at night.

I can't ever really remember believing in Santa or any other type figures. I probably did but I don't remember. I do, however, remember familial gift exchanges. Implication? I think it's clear.

On the other hand, I am fairly keenly aware of the extended family... cousins, second cousins, great-aunts and relatives who I meet infrequently enough to not recall... so maybe I am, memory wise, overly influenced by that.

This cultural custom skews the moral compass of children by teaching them to be good for the sake of a reward, normalizes lying, promotes an unhealthy mindset detached from fact-checking, and glorifies an individual who would be despised if anyone else were to partake in those criminal actions like stalking and breaking and entering.

Alternatively, the Santa custom teaches children that if they are good, they will be rewarded.

Lying is useful. Recognising lies and being familiar with them as a concept even more so.

I think we have seen that this is a dubious interpretation at best.

And the gift giving really is everything... Santa's not creepy, yeah?

We can celebrate the holidays without Santa in it. The cultural practice of Santa Claus should be done away with, perhaps going so far as a ban if that's what it takes. Thoughts?

I fully agree, replace him with John McClane.

A replacement without the ethical violations and fantasy-based nature of Santa would be acceptable.

[Gim]

There is a need to ban problematic cultural customs that don't go away on their own...

Is it a problematic cultural custom? Has it been deleterious to society? No.

[The Alma Mater]

There is a number of people who state that the Zwarte Piet character should be banned in the Netherlands as they deem it to be racist. How's that for controversy. For those of you who don't know what the character looks like:

(Image) No, it's not a joke!

So.. how is that racist, taking into account that the Netherlands does not have a blackface tradition ?
Are watermelons and chickens also racist symbols in every country on the planet, just because Americans see them that way ?

[Calimama]

I...just...uh...this thread should not be taken seriously...the war with terrorists...the war on drugs...anything else you can focus your attention on, and you decide to ban Santa? the jolly old gift-giver?...just please, stop...everyone has told you that this is a horrible idea, and has given multiple reasons on why Santa shouldn't be banned.

[Gim]

I...just...uh...this thread should not be taken seriously...the war with terrorists...the war on drugs...anything else you can focus your attention on, and you decide to ban Santa? the jolly old gift-giver?...just please, stop...everyone has told you that this is a horrible idea, and has given multiple reasons on why Santa shouldn't be banned.

The OP continues to deny reality, so I think that is why this thread is prolonged.

[Valystria]

There is a need to ban problematic cultural customs that don't go away on their own...

Is it a problematic cultural custom? Has it been deleterious to society? No.

Many disagree.

I...just...uh...this thread should not be taken seriously...the war with terrorists...the war on drugs...anything else you can focus your attention on, and you decide to ban Santa? the jolly old gift-giver?...just please, stop...everyone has told you that this is a horrible idea, and has given multiple reasons on why Santa shouldn't be banned.

There have also been multiple and very persuasive reasons for why Santa should be banned or at least discouraged.

[Calimama]

I...just...uh...this thread should not be taken seriously...the war with terrorists...the war on drugs...anything else you can focus your attention on, and you decide to ban Santa? the jolly old gift-giver?...just please, stop...everyone has told you that this is a horrible idea, and has given multiple reasons on why Santa shouldn't be banned.

The OP continues to deny reality, so I think that is why this thread is prolonged.

There is just no good reasons to even think of the idea...the OP keeps on giving the same exact terrible reasons and nothing more.

[Gim]

Many disagree.

You mean all of us?

[Calimama]

Is it a problematic cultural custom? Has it been deleterious to society? No.

Many disagree.

I...just...uh...this thread should not be taken seriously...the war with terrorists...the war on drugs...anything else you can focus your attention on, and you decide to ban Santa? the jolly old gift-giver?...just please, stop...everyone has told you that this is a horrible idea, and has given multiple reasons on why Santa shouldn't be banned.

There have also been multiple and very persuasive reasons for why Santa should be banned or at least discouraged.

But why do you even care? Is Santa slowly poisoning you? is Santa stealing from you? is people telling their kids to believe in Santa really driving you crazy? I just don't get the reason for arguing this ban...and forcing your beliefs on random people.

[Senkaku]

Of all the things you could choose to expend unjustifiable amounts of money and political capital on banning, Santa is one of the most harmless and benign, second perhaps only to the Tooth Fairy and the use of cardboard in children's books.

[Banija]

Looks like someone is salty about getting coal in their stocking one too many times.

[Bermon]

There is just no compelling reason or imminent threat to public safety and national security that wold warrant a ban on believing something. You have to think about the consequences of doing something like that. The civil disorder and protesting would be immense and destructive.

[Cuprum]

They want to ruin xmas. After that they will ruin Kwanzaa and Ramadan.

[The Alma Mater]

They want to ruin xmas. After that they will ruin Kwanzaa and Ramadan.

Ironically, they want to ruin Christmas by removing one of the the non-christian elements

[Eol Sha]

They want to ruin xmas. After that they will ruin Kwanzaa and Ramadan.

Ironically, they want to ruin Christmas by removing one of the the non-christian elements

Some of us don't celebrate Christmas as a Christian holiday. We celebrate it as the consumerist funfest it has transformed itself into.

[Immoren]

Ironically, they want to ruin Christmas by removing one of the the non-christian elements

Some of us don't celebrate Christmas as a Christian holiday. We celebrate it as the consumerist funfest it has transformed itself into.

Yuletide.
It should be called more commonly as Yuletide in modern English.

[Equestria Our Town]

But if Santa's banned, then all Christmas would be about is religion.
Oh, the horror~

[Strag]

I think it is important for kids to have an imagination. How is Santa counterproductive? I'm sure you're the person who people make sure not to invite to parties. Ruining a child's imagination at such a young age? Do you think kids should be treated as adults from birth?

[Krjder]

Tis the season to be jolly fa la la la la-la la la la...

Ooh, I bet you're great fun a Christmas parties! Yeah, so you'd be willing to swipe away years of tradition? Despite the fact I'm a Roman Catholic and as such I take Advent and the Christmas feast days as days of celebrating the birth of Christ.. My favourite part of Christmas is the gifts, the laughter, the carols, the midnight mass, Christmas shopping, roast goose and cinnamon.

If you don't buy the whole Santa thing, fine have a festive and merry 'Season', but doing dampen the Christmas spirit with your melancholy tones.

[Conscentia]

But if Santa's banned, then all Christmas would be about is religion.
Oh, the horror~

The end to lying to children need not necessarily by accompanied by the end to the indoor trees, colourful lights, tinsel, food, gift-giving, cards, etc.
We can still have all that non-religious stuff that people associate with the winter festivities.

[Strag]

Tis the season to be jolly fa la la la la-la la la la...

Ooh, I bet you're great fun a Christmas parties! Yeah, so you'd be willing to swipe away years of tradition? Despite the fact I'm a Roman Catholic and as such I take Advent and the Christmas feast days as days of celebrating the birth of Christ.. My favourite part of Christmas is the gifts, the laughter, the carols, the midnight mass, Christmas shopping, roast goose and cinnamon.

If you don't buy the whole Santa thing, fine have a festive and merry 'Season', but doing dampen the Christmas spirit with your melancholy tones.

#RomanCatholicLife I can relate very much.

[Conscentia]

Tis the season to be jolly fa la la la la-la la la la...

Ooh, I bet you're great fun a Christmas parties! Yeah, so you'd be willing to swipe away years of tradition? Despite the fact I'm a Roman Catholic and as such I take Advent and the Christmas feast days as days of celebrating the birth of Christ.. My favourite part of Christmas is the gifts, the laughter, the carols, the midnight mass, Christmas shopping, roast goose and cinnamon.

If you don't buy the whole Santa thing, fine have a festive and merry 'Season', but doing dampen the Christmas spirit with your melancholy tones.

None of that has anything to do with Santa.

[Settrah]

The word is shit, so let's destroy what little innocence and excitement children have left. For a better future.

Marvellous.

[The Hobbesian Metaphysician]

Santa is a patriarchal construct that conditions society to accept the invasion of their private lives and homes by white men and view this as beneficial.

When a white man breaks into your house it's Christmas
When a black man breaks into your house you're in danger.

Jesus Christ, who performed your lobotomy?

I for one can tell you being an expert on lobotomy that this poster has certainly not had one.