Santa Should be Banned

[Czechanada]

If you don't consider this a matter worth discussing, why are you discussing it?

Because I'm curious as to why people feel the crisis of Santa's existence is a matter worth discussing.

Everything is a matter worth discussing. It's important to understand the political, social, and economic implications of a global cultural icon.

[Settrah]

Because I'm curious as to why people feel the crisis of Santa's existence is a matter worth discussing.

Everything is a matter worth discussing. It's important to understand the political, social, and economic implications of a global cultural icon.

Absolutely, but outright banning Santa seems a little extreme.

[Shy Guyia]

If Santa should be banned, why not the Easter Bunny?
- He doesn't exist, so parents lie about that.
- He is a evil bunny, he abuses magical chickens to make his eggs made out of candy and he just litters his eggs everywhere!
- But he gives you free candy that has been caused by abuse of magical chickens. And as a Bunny is a mammal, he can't lay eggs!
- *insert other argument from the OP*

This is really clear guys, ban all holidays related to a fictional character giving out free stuff

[Conscentia]

None of that has anything to do with Santa.

I'm making the point that by taking Santa out of the equation, it's destroying a lot of symbolism. It's one of the many things Christmas is about. Ask someone what Christmas means to them. What will they say? Presents? The Nativity? Christmas Lunch? Reindeer? Carols? Most will probably say Santa.

As if. The people you know must have some seriously messed up priorities if Santa ranks above reasons like 'celebrating with family/friends'.
Also most of the symbolism has nothing to do with Santa. What do indoor trees, and colourful lights have to do with a generous magic man?

[Czechanada]

Everything is a matter worth discussing. It's important to understand the political, social, and economic implications of a global cultural icon.

Absolutely, but outright banning Santa seems a little extreme.

It's always important to brainstorm solutions to an issue.

Western society has no problem banning forms of expression that it deems unacceptable.

I don't necessarily agree or disagree with a ban on Santa, but we should never intransigently dismiss ideas.

[Settrah]

If Santa should be banned, why not the Easter Bunny?
- He doesn't exist, so parents lie about that.
- He is a evil bunny, he abuses magical chickens to make his eggs made out of candy and he just litters his eggs everywhere!
- But he gives you free candy that has been caused by abuse of magical chickens. And as a Bunny is a mammal, he can't lay eggs!
- *insert other argument from the OP*

This is really clear guys, ban all holidays related to a fictional character giving out free stuff

In before the Easter Bunny becomes a deep rooted social, political and economic metaphor for Lutheranism, and the ruthless theology of the Catholic Church and Holy Roman Empire. It simply must be stopped guys!!1

[Settrah]

Absolutely, but outright banning Santa seems a little extreme.

It's always important to brainstorm solutions to an issue.

Western society has no problem banning forms of expression that it deems unacceptable.

I don't necessarily agree or disagree with a ban on Santa, but we should never intransigently dismiss ideas.

For discussion sake, if there was a ban on Santa would you replace it with anything else?

[Krjder]

I'm making the point that by taking Santa out of the equation, it's destroying a lot of symbolism. It's one of the many things Christmas is about. Ask someone what Christmas means to them. What will they say? Presents? The Nativity? Christmas Lunch? Reindeer? Carols? Most will probably say Santa.

As if. The people you know must have some seriously messed up priorities if Santa ranks above reasons like 'celebrating with family/friends'.
Also most of the symbolism has nothing to do with Santa. What do indoor trees, and colourful lights have to do with a generous magic man?

I was just giving a few examples, I'm sure loved ones also join the throng of festive icons. They are certainly one of the reasons I enjoy Christmas.

Yes, but Santa is part of the package with all the symonolism. What's the point in putting your shoes out of no one's going to fill them with goodies? Who's going to put fill the stockings or add presents to the Christmas tree? What will happen to Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and the charming coca-cola adverts?

By removing Santa, you lose a lot of other symbolism. But my main question is, how does one go about banning Santa? For one thing, he is a Saint of the Roman Catholic Church, so he as a person cannot be banned. Are you going to ban him from commercials? Yeah, have fun getting business to cooperate. Ban people from telling children about him? That's a breach of free speech.

To be honest, this is a pretty daft notion.

[Czechanada]

It's always important to brainstorm solutions to an issue.

Western society has no problem banning forms of expression that it deems unacceptable.

I don't necessarily agree or disagree with a ban on Santa, but we should never intransigently dismiss ideas.

For discussion sake, if there was a ban on Santa would you replace it with anything else?

You know what, if Santa were banned, I wouldn't replace it with anything.

I feel that it would be more important to teach children the nature of a gift in how it's the agency of someone they love so they can gain a greater understanding of altruism and empathy. Gifts shouldn't be received "just because."

[Hurdegaryp]

Did Infected Mushroom forget to switch accounts?

More like Mushroom infected someone.

Every revolution starts small.

[Czechanada]

Did Infected Mushroom forget to switch accounts?

Why does everyone always accuse people of being someone else?

[Povinksi]

Not banned, but discouraged.

[Settrah]

For discussion sake, if there was a ban on Santa would you replace it with anything else?

You know what, if Santa were banned, I wouldn't replace it with anything.

I feel that it would be more important to teach children the nature of a gift in how it's the agency of someone they love so they can gain a greater understanding of altruism and empathy. Gifts shouldn't be received "just because."

That is, assuming that all children have theory of mind, or that the social context is one that actually promotes unconditional unity and solidarity.

[Hurdegaryp]

Did Infected Mushroom forget to switch accounts?

Why does everyone always accuse people of being someone else?

Because anybody can be Legion here, given how easy it is to create a virtual deluge of puppet nations if you wish to do so.

[Dragonia Re Xzua]

IM, you forgot to switch accounts again.

Did Infected Mushroom forget to switch accounts?

Why does everyone always accuse people of being someone else?

Because it is very unlikely for two people to have identical views. There are two possibilities: Both accounts are of the same person or Reaper Indoctrination is at work on more that one person.

[Conscentia]

As if. The people you know must have some seriously messed up priorities if Santa ranks above reasons like 'celebrating with family/friends'.
Also most of the symbolism has nothing to do with Santa. What do indoor trees, and colourful lights have to do with a generous magic man?

I was just giving a few examples, I'm sure loved ones also join the throng of festive icons. They are certainly one of the reasons I enjoy Christmas.

Yes, but Santa is part of the package with all the symonolism. What's the point in putting your shoes out of no one's going to fill them with goodies? Who's going to put fill the stockings or add presents to the Christmas tree? What will happen to Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and the charming coca-cola adverts?

We can get new symbols. Or resurrect old ones - How about Krampus the demon?
Do people even do that stockings thing outside of American films? Most people don't even have fireplaces - they don't have a mantelpiece on which to hang the stockings.
Parents put presents under the tree. Why be dishonest about it?
It's possible to tell stories, such as the story of Rudolf, without telling children that they're non-fiction.
Coca Cola can find a new mascot. How about an ice golem a snowman?

By removing Santa, you lose a lot of other symbolism. But my main question is, how does one go about banning Santa? For one thing, he is a Saint of the Roman Catholic Church, so he as a person cannot be banned.[...]

Santa Claus is not a Roman Catholic Saint.
Saint Nicholas, as recognised by the Roman Catholic Church, is not Santa Claus.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas

To be honest, this is a pretty daft notion.

As I've said before, I'm not actually arguing in favour of banning Santa.

[Hurdegaryp]

IM, you forgot to switch accounts again.

Why does everyone always accuse people of being someone else?

Because it is very unlikely for two people to have identical views. There are two possibilities: Both accounts are of the same person or Reaper Indoctrination is at work on more that one person.

Surely we have room for two ban-happy campers on this forum, right? It doubles the fun we usually have with threads such as these!

[Dragonia Re Xzua]

IM, you forgot to switch accounts again.


Because it is very unlikely for two people to have identical views. There are two possibilities: Both accounts are of the same person or Reaper Indoctrination is at work on more that one person.

Surely we have room for two ban-happy campers on this forum, right? It doubles the fun we usually have with threads such as these!

But.... what if IM has alt accounts that have alt accounts? IM-ception, bitch.

[Socialist Mercanda]

And HOW exactly would he be banned? I hardly think that laws are going to be passed banning Santa Clause. "Dáil passes the Ban of Santa Clause Act 2015". This amuses me. Referendums on the outlawing of Santa Clause. Rallies against these laws.

And no, he shouldn't be banned. Obviously someone got coal in their stocking.

[Gauthier]

IM, you forgot to switch accounts again.

Why does everyone always accuse people of being someone else?

Because it is very unlikely for two people to have identical views. There are two possibilities: Both accounts are of the same person or Reaper Indoctrination is at work on more that one person.

Reapers have intelligence.

[Hurdegaryp]

Surely we have room for two ban-happy campers on this forum, right? It doubles the fun we usually have with threads such as these!

But.... what if IM has alt accounts that have alt accounts? IM-ception, bitch.

That only works if the magnificent wunderkind mentioned by you also uses different computers and IP-locations for his (hypothetical) various stables of alt accounts. You want to do these things with a certain style and grace, otherwise you're no more than a vulgar cyberpeasant.

[Czechanada]

You know what, if Santa were banned, I wouldn't replace it with anything.

I feel that it would be more important to teach children the nature of a gift in how it's the agency of someone they love so they can gain a greater understanding of altruism and empathy. Gifts shouldn't be received "just because."

That is, assuming that all children have theory of mind, or that the social context is one that actually promotes unconditional unity and solidarity.

Well, then we should teach that too.

[Conscentia]

But.... what if IM has alt accounts that have alt accounts? IM-ception, bitch.

That only works if the magnificent wunderkind mentioned by you also uses different computers and IP-locations for his (hypothetical) various stables of alt accounts. You want to do these things with a certain style and grace, otherwise you're no more than a vulgar cyberpeasant.

Proxies can mask location and IP.

[Valystria]

For discussion sake, if there was a ban on Santa would you replace it with anything else?

You know what, if Santa were banned, I wouldn't replace it with anything.

I feel that it would be more important to teach children the nature of a gift in how it's the agency of someone they love so they can gain a greater understanding of altruism and empathy. Gifts shouldn't be received "just because."

That would be ideal and most beneficial for making our society into a more ethical one.

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.

Unethical practices are deleterious to the individuals of the society.

Why does everyone always accuse people of being someone else?

Because anybody can be Legion here, given how easy it is to create a virtual deluge of puppet nations if you wish to do so.

Don't overlook how it's far easier to sling puppetry accusations at anyone whom one dislikes.

IM, you forgot to switch accounts again.

Why does everyone always accuse people of being someone else?

Because it is very unlikely for two people to have identical views. There are two possibilities: Both accounts are of the same person or Reaper Indoctrination is at work on more that one person.

Or you could stop using dishonourable tactics like social shaming, mockery, and conspiratorial accusations against individuals you don't agree with.

Not banned, but discouraged.

Discouragement wouldn't be sufficient. Why merely discourage when we could go all the way with ending Santa entirely?

[Phoaenice]

Without Santa there is no pagan and pre-conscient mystic version of Christmas, and it wouldn t had been moments of my happyness in this life.