Santa Claus

[Unregistered]

Hats off to your sister too for putting her kids in a school that can also promote an opposing view.

Thank you!

[legomom922]

my son said he didn't want to anymore so i don't make him. he said, "all they do at church is talk about God. God, God, God. Just God!" he's 4 - it was funny. anyhow, i would send them to a christian person's childcare in a heartbeat, but if it was advertised as "christian childcare" i would think they might be fanatical about it, u know?

A 4 yr old is not old enough to make a mature decison, thats why parenst are suppose to teach children the way they should go. And of couse all they talk about God God God in church, what do you expect? God is suppose to be the center on ones life. And another thought, I don't know how many of you h ave had your child Baptizied, but if you do, you are making a commitment to that child to teach them all about the Lord and the faith you are baptizing them in, and you are doing that in front of God and all his people, the church.

Now what do you mean might be "fanatical"? A person living for Christ, will be passionate for Him and that's what is expected for us! My child care is a Christ centered childcare because Christ is first and formost in our home. It doesn't sound like you would want your kids in my daycare...but people living for Him would. So there is the difference.

[Crystal]

God is suppose to be the center on ones life.

THAT is YOUR opinion. And, I am sure that of many others here. But, who are you or any other "Christian" to tell those of us with differing beliefs that God is supposed to be the center of our lives, or any of the other things you have said are "mandatory" for EVERYONE? You say we HAVE to believe in your beliefs,or we are "wrong" but what about those here that you have "insulted" because you do not value their beliefs? Respect....It goes both ways.....don't expect to recieve the respect of others being accepting of your right to believe in what you believe, if you are not willing to return the same.

[SandeeAR]

THAT is YOUR opinion. And, I am sure that of many others here. But, who are you or any other "Christian" to tell those of us with differing beliefs that God is supposed to be the center of our lives, or any of the other things you have said are "mandatory" for EVERYONE?

To answer your question, for those of us that are Christian.......It is God's Commandment to us to tell the world about him.

[Crystal]

To answer your question, for those of that are Christian.......It is God's Commandment to us to tell the world about him.

I get that. BUT, do you tell us that we HAVE to believe that? That we are immoral or have less important values than a "Christian"? I imagine that YOU wouldn't, but that IS what legomom has been doing throughout this thread.

Thank you though, I appreciate your reply

[Unregistered]

leggo?

You asked me a question and I've answered...I see that you have replied to others but made no comment to me...why is that?

[legomom922]

THAT is YOUR opinion. And, I am sure that of many others here. But, who are you or any other "Christian" to tell those of us with differing beliefs that God is supposed to be the center of our lives, or any of the other things you have said are "mandatory" for EVERYONE? You say we HAVE to believe in your beliefs,or we are "wrong" but what about those here that you have "insulted" because you do not value their beliefs? Respect....It goes both ways.....don't expect to recieve the respect of others being accepting of your right to believe in what you believe, if you are not willing to return the same.

Just for the record, I did not write the commandants, or the bible.

Also, it is not MY "opinon" that God is supposed to be the center of everyones life. He did..........

I also have not said anything is "mandatory" You won't find those words written by me anywhere on this thread.

I am not saying you have to believe in Him. God tells you to believe in Him. So if you disagree, take it up with Him.

Respect and value are 2 different things. I respect everyone right to believe what ever they want, however I only value what is truth. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

[legomom922]

You asked me a question and I've answered...I see that you have replied to others but made no comment to me...why is that?

gee, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to leave anyone out. I only have so many hours in a day. Who are you? I will answer you tomorrow, after church. I have to go to bed early as my husband is on the worship team.

[nikia]

Sooo anyway since I started this thread and it had nothing to do with what is being talked about now I thought I would let you all know how it went and what happend so whether you care or not here it is.

I did talk to the mom and asked her to just let the daughter know that all the young kids here believe in Santa Clause and asked that she please not ruin what they believe in. The mom was very sorry and totally understood why I asked her to talk to her daughter. There was no debate on religion or anything else. It was strickly an adult conversation about what we believe and what they believe and that we will all respect each others beliefs.

I think it is great to learn all different religions and also why people do not have a religion. If we all learn different ideas it would make us grow as people, and by learn I do not mean shoving things down people's throats. The point being we should respect each other has human beings no matter what color we are, what beliefs we have.

To the woman with the sister and her partner who send her children to a school that teaches them something other than what the parents believe in, hats off to them. I think it is great that they are so tolerant and let their children learn many different ways of the world and how people can believe different things but still be wonderful people.

Legomom, it is great that you believe so strongly in your religion and that you preach about God, it is what the bible says to do. I think it would be more effective without the personal attacks like telling someone to terminate a child so they can go to a "real" christian daycare all because we believe in Santa Clause.

Saint Nicholas He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose English name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas. His reputation evolved among the faithful, as is common for early Christian saints.[4] In 1087, his relics were furtively translated to Bari, in southeastern Italy; for this reason, he is also known as Nikolaos of Bari

I personally dont think this is a bad thing to carry on in the minds of children, to my children Santa is a man who gives children of the world things they want and need, whether that be food, clothes or toys. That is my choice to share with my children as it is your to not and that should be celebrated, we shouldnt be made to feel less christian because of that. There was a true Saint and that is where Santa came from. My children know that Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas, they also know about St. Nick and Santa Claus. I dont feel it takes away from them knowing Jesus.

[QualiTcare]

A 4 yr old is not old enough to make a mature decison, thats why parenst are suppose to teach children the way they should go. And of couse all they talk about God God God in church, what do you expect? God is suppose to be the center on ones life. And another thought, I don't know how many of you h ave had your child Baptizied, but if you do, you are making a commitment to that child to teach them all about the Lord and the faith you are baptizing them in, and you are doing that in front of God and all his people, the church.

Now what do you mean might be "fanatical"? A person living for Christ, will be passionate for Him and that's what is expected for us! My child care is a Christ centered childcare because Christ is first and formost in our home. It doesn't sound like you would want your kids in my daycare...but people living for Him would. So there is the difference.

umm, i already said i'm not a christian and obviously don't go to church. so, if you are implying by teaching them the way they should go = teach them my beliefs (or lack of belief) then they would've never gone to church at all. surely a christian wouldn't recommend that. instead, i let them both go and asked (and still ask) every saturday, "do you want to go to church tomorrow?" my daughter is six and has only missed a handful of times - she loves going. my son was going regulary and then started saying "no" when i asked if he wanted to go. if he doesn't want to go, there's a REASON. yes, he said they talk about God, God, God - just God. that is FUNNY - i don't care if you're a priest - he's 4 and it's cute BECAUSE yes, that's what they DO at church. kind of like saying all they do at school is teach - teach teach teach. funny - nothing more.

People (and kids are people) are different and make different choices. two children raised in the same home, going to the same church - one loves going, one doesn't want to. there's no way i would MAKE him go when i don't even go. you have to be pretty open minded to let your children learn about something you don't believe in and make their own decisions, and that's contol a lot of people can't let go of. i'm not into the luck of the draw theory on religion - "whichever religion you were born into is the right one and you have to believe it," nor am i going to deprive them of the opportunity and choice to learn about God and decide for themselves in a society where it's the norm to do so.

in my experience non believers are much more tolerant and even accepting of other's beliefs. my children will be able to make a choice based on experience and freedom of choice rather than force. i consider that a gift although it should be a right.


fanatical (fəˈnætɪk ə l)

— adj
surpassing what is normal or accepted in enthusiasm for or belief in something; excessively or unusually dedicated or devoted

that explains what i meant by fanatical.

[Unregistered]

gee, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to leave anyone out. I only have so many hours in a day. Who are you? I will answer you tomorrow, after church. I have to go to bed early as my husband is on the worship team.

I'm sorry if you took my question as rude, it wasn't my intention. You asked ME a question and I replied to it, so I guess I figured you knew who I was.

I understand getting up early for church...my husband insists on the 8:30 service, although I'd much prefer the 10:30. That's OK though, the 8:30 is always less crowded and we have Sunday School after...confirmation on Wednesday nights and my husband is on the youth committee.

You see, we are not so different. I realize you feel attacked and that is not my attention. My only goal, and I believe the goal of the others as well, is not to attack but to feel understood. Many of us are Christians, some of us are probably Jewish, or Buddists, or agnostics...but whatever our belief system is, it will always make people feel defensive when they are told that how they pray, or what they believe, isn't as "good" as what someone else believes.

The only thing I was asking of you was this. Rather than making assumptions about other people's walk with God, stick to your own. All you needed to say was, "We feel closer to God when we don't participate in the non-religious aspects of Christmas (Easter, whatever). For us, it is a distraction from what we believe to be the true reason for the season." It is possible to share your feelings in a respectful and honest way, and much less likely to hurt others.

3kidsmom

[marniewon]

A 4 yr old is not old enough to make a mature decison, thats why parenst are suppose to teach children the way they should go. And of couse all they talk about God God God in church, what do you expect? God is suppose to be the center on ones life. And another thought, I don't know how many of you h ave had your child Baptizied, but if you do, you are making a commitment to that child to teach them all about the Lord and the faith you are baptizing them in, and you are doing that in front of God and all his people, the church.

Now what do you mean might be "fanatical"? A person living for Christ, will be passionate for Him and that's what is expected for us! My child care is a Christ centered childcare because Christ is first and formost in our home. It doesn't sound like you would want your kids in my daycare...but people living for Him would. So there is the difference.

I've sat back and sat on my hands, to keep from responding to this thread. I can't keep quiet any longer. I am not religious. I am a born again, baptized in the spirit, Christian. I do not do religion, I do relationship. I have a close relationship with my loving Father. My loving God determines what I do and He alone corrects me when I stray. He has never told me it's a sin to teach my kids about Santa. He only cares (in my case anyway) that I teach my children about Him. If you feel convicted to NOT do santa, that's YOUR convictions, not everyone else's.

You said yourself that God stands at our (heart) door and knocks, and will only come in when invited. Are you better than God? We were made in His image, and if he will not force Himself on us, then who are you to do that? You are making all christians look bad by your attitude and your judgemental ways. Who are you to judge anyone else? There may be people on this forum who are searching for happiness and peace, through God, but YOU are pushing them away with your attitude!!!! Why would anyone who reads this thread want to do anything that would be anything like you? We are to be witnesses of Christ, not shove it down their throats or belittle anyone who don't believe the way we do. God is loving and patient - why do you feel like you can be anything different?

BTW - if you want to make sure everyone is "religiously correct" you might want to check your facts. According to the bible, parents do not "have their children" baptized. Baptism happens (according to the gospel of John) after a person becomes a believer. It is their decision to become a believer, and then their decision to become baptized. If you are talking about a child's dedication to the church, that's something different (not biblical, but where parents dedicate their child(ren) to God in front of friends/family/church family).

Now, you've been asked by fellow christians, non-believers, both mods, Michael AND the op to please stop! So....PLEASE STOP!!! I'm going to issue you a challenge. Pray to your God about what you are doing and really listen to His answer. Ask Him if you should continue in this tangent that you are determined to go on. If you are praying to the same God that I am - I'm pretty sure that you will hear that you are NOT furthering the kingdom of God - but probably driving people away from Him.

I can appreciate your enthusiasm, but make sure you are not driving people away by judging, but rather showing others the love God has for you in your words and actions.

[QualiTcare]

3kidsmom and marnie, i agree with both of you.

sure, my aunt and her family (in laws) tried to get me to go to church before and did their "duty" of spreading the word. however, i made it very clear to them that it was not going to happen and i did not intend on spending every family gathering being recruited. we now have a WONDERFUL relationship. they pray before every meal and i bow my head and close my eyes because i have RESPECT for what others believe in. my children go to church with them (not my son so much anymore) and i WILL go if they are having a program or a homecoming and everyone there is super nice to me as i am to them. i bow my head and give my tithes which i also have strong opinions about and i go on. they all know how i feel, but to an outsider, you'd never be able to tell there's any difference. i speak to the pastor at events and at their home on occassion and he's nothing but nice. i do think they respect the fact that i allow my children to go with them even though i have different beliefs and they respect me being blunt about not wanting to be "bothered."

i called my uncle (by marriage) to ask him for a ride to school for my daughter last week because my husband took the car without my knowledge bc his truck was messed up. he was at work, but his mother was here within minutes and it was EARLY! i LOVE her. she'd do anything to help us out, and she knows i'd do the same. that's all that matters in the end is how you treat people. in fact, i don't think i even know anyone who doesn't believe in God other than my husband and I have many friends who don't even know what I believe. I've had a few friends who have found out over the years and they were shocked, but it didn't change our friendship because by the time they realized it, we were already friends and they knew me as a person and not by what church i attended or didn't attend.

ironically, my husband said the other day that maybe we should start going to church which is a little scary to me as someone who doesn't have any intention on doing so (imagine your christian husband dropping the bomb that he's converting to islam). i don't know how that will play out at the moment, but i know if he does decide to go, it will definitely NOT be because people shoved it down his throat, but because people backed off, respected him, and treated us like we treat them. if you want people to join you in any group, there has to be some kind of common ground. if God isn't it, it has to be the way you treat each other.

badmouthing someone who doesn't believe in God or not associating yourself with them is never, ever going to get them to "come around." however, if you are nice and treat people who have different beliefs with respect, then they will come to you IF and when they change their mind. for example, if my husband really does decide to go to church, where do you think he'll go? he'll go to the church my children go to and are treated wonderfully, and where people treat us with respect and have been nothing but nice. he wouldn't go to one where people are going to say, "oh, they are just now coming? weren't they atheists or agnostics? their children aren't baptized?" etc. nope...he'd go to a place where people not only know, but respect how he felt even if they didn't agree. they'd consider it a BLESSING.

you are limiting yourself and depriving yourself from knowing a lot of great people, and people who you might be able to influence if that's your desire with the all or none attitude. just sayin'.

[kidkair]

Sooo anyway since I started this thread and it had nothing to do with what is being talked about now I thought I would let you all know how it went and what happend so whether you care or not here it is.

I did talk to the mom and asked her to just let the daughter know that all the young kids here believe in Santa Clause and asked that she please not ruin what they believe in. The mom was very sorry and totally understood why I asked her to talk to her daughter. There was no debate on religion or anything else. It was strickly an adult conversation about what we believe and what they believe and that we will all respect each others beliefs.

Thanks for the update. Even if everyone else ignored it I appreciate it. I'm so glad that you and your client were able to behave more civil than some of the women on this thread. Blessed Be.

[SandeeAR]

i've sat back and sat on my hands, to keep from responding to this thread. I can't keep quiet any longer. I am not religious. I am a born again, baptized in the spirit, christian. I do not do religion, i do relationship. I have a close relationship with my loving father. My loving god determines what i do and he alone corrects me when i stray. He has never told me it's a sin to teach my kids about santa. He only cares (in my case anyway) that i teach my children about him. If you feel convicted to not do santa, that's your convictions, not everyone else's.

You said yourself that god stands at our (heart) door and knocks, and will only come in when invited. Are you better than god? We were made in his image, and if he will not force himself on us, then who are you to do that? You are making all christians look bad by your attitude and your judgemental ways. Who are you to judge anyone else? There may be people on this forum who are searching for happiness and peace, through god, but you are pushing them away with your attitude!!!! Why would anyone who reads this thread want to do anything that would be anything like you? We are to be witnesses of christ, not shove it down their throats or belittle anyone who don't believe the way we do. God is loving and patient - why do you feel like you can be anything different?

Btw - if you want to make sure everyone is "religiously correct" you might want to check your facts. According to the bible, parents do not "have their children" baptized. Baptism happens (according to the gospel of john) after a person becomes a believer. It is their decision to become a believer, and then their decision to become baptized. If you are talking about a child's dedication to the church, that's something different (not biblical, but where parents dedicate their child(ren) to god in front of friends/family/church family).

Now, you've been asked by fellow christians, non-believers, both mods, michael and the op to please stop! So....please stop!!! I'm going to issue you a challenge. Pray to your god about what you are doing and really listen to his answer. Ask him if you should continue in this tangent that you are determined to go on. If you are praying to the same god that i am - i'm pretty sure that you will hear that you are not furthering the kingdom of god - but probably driving people away from him.

I can appreciate your enthusiasm, but make sure you are not driving people away by judging, but rather showing others the love god has for you in your words and actions.

amen!!!!!!