Thread: Santa: Jolly or EVIL?

Nearly everyone has grown up with santa, regardless of religious affiliation yet what psycological effect does he have on young children's minds? To have a large old fat man looking over your shoulder every second, causes alot of stress. What is the first threat your parents pulled out, if you keep this up santa won't bring you gifts, and finally when you find out he is fake you become paranoid, and angry, you become maxwell! lol

A small tid bit, santa's suit is red from all the blood of children he has slain on christmas eve who come down to see him. I guess they learned not to spy on the spymaster, or it was gameover.

in norway our tradition entails having a father or close family dress up as santa.
in some families, the kids dress up as santa and gives away the gifts.

What is the first threat your parents pulled out, if you keep this up santa won't bring you gifts

Maybe he is a brainwashing tool to prepair children for full blown religion when they get older?

actually, santa as we know him today, is based on the character from germany called sanct nicolaus, who was a monk or bishop or something.
the red and white santa clause as we know him today, was created by the coca cola company (its no coincidence that the colours of the coca cola brand and santa clause match..)

http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/santa.asp

more on the jolly red roof lurker.

you'll find that it all started off with saint nicholas, originally a bishop in what is now turkey whose day is often celebrated on the 6th of december, but who somehow got conflated with the christmas santa claus

Originally Posted by marnixR

you'll find that it all started off with saint nicholas, originally a bishop in what is now turkey whose day is often celebrated on the 6th of december, but who somehow got conflated with the christmas santa claus

The big fat man in red, who comes on christmas day was brought to you courtesy of Coka-Cola Inc. As an advertising ploy

you lay off homer simpson !

Originally Posted by marnixR

you lay off homer simpson !

Ha and I thought you were a robot, with all of your happy killing posts!

i do have my moments

Originally Posted by dejawolf

actually, santa as we know him today, is based on the character from germany called sanct nicolaus, who was a monk or bishop or something.

Actually the guy was called Nikolaus of Myra and came from Turkey and yes, he was a Bishop in ye olden times. Actually he should be named Nikölaus considering hwere he comes from

Originally Posted by KALSTER

Maybe he is a brainwashing tool to prepair children for full blown religion when they get older?

I like that. God and Santa have a lot of similarities. I think a kid can attach to Santa easier than God. I don't see God handing out presents.

I'm waiting for the time when Santa becomes politically incorrect and is phased out of the multicultural society we live in. He can take the Easter Bunny with him on the way out.

Santa is good. It's Ruprecht that's evil.

who's ruprecht ?

How can you guys be debating Santa and not know who Ruprecht is?

:?

Ruprecht, Knecht Ruprecht, Krampus:A demonic figure who used to accompany St. Nicholas to punish bad children with his Rute (switch); based on mythical winter figures going back to pagan times. Also known as Hans Muff, Krampus, Nickel, and other names. In some regions, Ruprecht or Krampus is good - just another Weihnachtsmann.

Although St. Nicholas (Nikolaus) isn't related to Santa, the traditional characteristics of Nikolaus and the Christkindl combined in the Thomas Nast/American rendition that came to be known as Santa. Although Santa, and the origins of the traditions that led to the Santa character, have been greatly diminished by commercialism (and families failing to carry on the traditions fully) there still remains a Krampus character in American tradition. Ruprecht/Krampus is, however, more heavily known of in Germany, Holland, Austria, etc.

The whole idea of bad children getting coal for Christmas? That form of punishment for naughtiness, among others, and its judgment, was the sole domain of Ruprecht. I believe "coal" originated in America because of the wide coal familiarity at the time. In Germany, it's sticks or soot.

Today commercialism has combined the aspects of giver and punisher into one figure (mainly because "demonic punisher" doesn't sell). So Santa gives toys, and gives coal to the naughty children. In a more faithful following, Santa spreads cheer and rewards children, while Ruprecht follows Santa to do nasty tricks to bad children.

Santa, of course, is entirely an American creation. There is no Santa in Germany, for instance. If you told someone in Germany that Santa came into your house, they'd either wonder why you haven't called the police, or why yer not in the loony.

:P

oh i know who you're talking about - he's known in belgium and holland as "Zwarte Piet" (Black Pete) + he's supposed to grab really naughty children and put them in his bag

Even more similarities to religion!

Originally Posted by marnixR

oh i know who you're talking about - he's known in belgium and holland as "Zwarte Piet" (Black Pete) + he's supposed to grab really naughty children and put them in his bag

Yep. That's him.