Do you think that people who believe in God have the same mindset of a child who believes in Santa Claus?
464576
No, we have historical proof that God and Jesus DO exist, we also have historical proof that Santa, Toothy and E Buny exist.
95386
No. You teach by example and telling children to lie about something is not teaching them right from wrong. People do it all the time though. (Although I cant see how santa claus has anything to do with it ;) Thats rather a jaded opinion). That probably has alot to do with why so many people have no conscience and society has many of its problems.\nObviously you (whomever) are doing something wrong as well if you feel the need to tell a child to lie.
762404
Santa Claus is a myth based in truth taught to children when they grow up.\n\nIt began as Nicholas Klause hundreds of years ago. Saint Nick (as he came to be known) used to make toys for children and give them out to good little girls and boys on Christmas Day. Bad little girls and boys got nothing but a lump of coal.\n\nSanta Claus is a change in name.\n\nNicholas Klause is long dead but the spirit of what he did lives on. And so his story continues to be taught.\n\nThough, in it's modern incarnation, the parents are actually the people that give out the toys and Santa Claus' name. Most children are told the truth about Santa by the time they're 10 years old.\n\nThe legend is useful for parents to keep control of their little kids behavior (after all, who wants to not get any presents on Christmas Day?) and to allow children to retain their innocence for a while and enjoy the thought that magic actually exists.\n\n:)
1073418
analysis has show that children from both groups believe in a master creator, God, angels, things like that. its until they get older and ideas are pressed upon them that they start to change there mind.\n\nthats all i really know about that as far as my education goes.
1046256
Of course everyone is born an atheist. Adults believe in a great variety of religions, but you'll never see a 3 year old who believes in something different than their parents. They just believe whatever mumbo-jumbo is shoved down their young throats at home.....
811534
I believe in Santa - Because of the spirit of giving and spreading joy to people. So, in a sense- there is a part of santa in people.
713828
I'd call those hypocrites out. They must be very insecure about their beliefs if they are threatened by Santa. They harp on and on about believing in this higher being, that no one has seen. I'm talking about God, not Jesus (most Christians of late seem to think that they are one and the same, which they are not.) Jesus did walk on this Earth. These same people try to say that Santa is dead. My understanding is that Santa Claus, is a saint; Saint Nicholas. \n\nI grew up in a Christian home, but we also believed in Santa. \nSanta wants you to be good so that you can be rewarded on Christmas morning. You can't see him. I think those ideals gave us the outline of what is expected of us from God. The bible outlines the many rules we must adhere to, or face the dire consequences of the failure to do so. \nSanta just focuses on the positive reinforcement of those biblical bylaws. If we are good all year, get a reward. Nothing wrong with that.
1116034
To tell you the truth, I never let my child believe in santa, the tooth fairy, easter bunny or anything.  He is five years old, and he is mature for his age.  I want my son to know that although he may be lied to by the world,  he will never be lied to by his parents.
310178
Because religion gives people a chance to still have a Santa Claus figure in adulthood without feeling too ridiculous, by renaming it 'god', and thus trying to make it sound like a more grown-up idea.  It's simply a character flaw in people who don't want to accept reality.
1133748
sure, but I also believe in Santa clause and the Easter bunny....
834566
well some people believe that the only way you go to the fire place is if you refuse to believe in him.\n\nthe similarities between god and santa claus are uncanny, except if you are bad, santa only punishes you with no presents on christmas but god makes you BURN!
317189
I can see how some would think that, yes. But Santa Claus is just made up and fictional, and its not like anyone worships him  or anything. He was just created to make the holiday more exciting, I think.
1014145
religion is a touchy topic for people as they always believe that they are right. As for the atheist part, I'd say it has no correlation rather that most of them are probably just young immature kids, the ones who go on to post about how jesus did drugs and god sucked whatever. I believe that we don't have the ability to judge whether deity/s exsist, but I believe in the morality of being polite.
429241
No way. First of all I believe in them too. Of course I do not believe that there is a little talking rabbit running around or a flying fairy collecting teeth.\nBut I believe in the spirit of them and think that lives in everyone who choses to believe. And that is what I have taught my daughter. \nChildren grow up way too fast these days. Nine is still young. Very young. Let her be little. So many children by that age have lost so much of their innocense. She wants to believe let her!!! Cherish the fact that she is still holding on to a part of her childhood and not being as grown as so many of these children are.
1041648
I don't think so.  I believe that people who do put alot of faith in god are giving the credit of their actions to another being.  God didn't create or plan your actions- you did!
1177121
This is to the person that told you to sit on a pole....because why teach a child about Santa so all they think about Christmas is the gifts. The reason of Christmas is of Jesus' birth not some fat guy in a suit that sneaks into your home at night. i was never told that Santa was real. We focused on the birth. My family didn't get as many presents as the other families but we had the reason in our hearts. And if the world believes in Santa then why don't they believe in God? There's no proof of "Santa" and they believe then why do they need proof of God?
318144
for the same reason santa represents christmas ---a myth made up to make children believe in in unatural happenings