Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Believing in Santa
A school has apologised for telling a class of nine and ten year olds that Santa Claus does not exist. 'As a school,' says the headteacher Jackie Jackson, 'we delight in the magic of childhood and believe that Christmas is a special time.' Parents had complained. 'What gives the school the right to decide when children should know the truth about such a harmless matter when knowing the truth does take away that little bit of magic?' asked one. Behind our delight in sustaining children's belief in Santa lies a very anti-Dawkins assumption - that we are better off believing. And so we are. Anyway, I believe in Santa. He left me some excellent Issey Miyake socks last year. Only Santa could possibly have known how richly I deserved them.
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A blog about, among other things, imaginary ideas - What ifs? and Imagine thats. What if photographs looked nothing like what we see with our eyes? Imagine that the Berlin Wall had never come down. What if we were the punchline of an interminable joke? All contributions welcome.
Anti-Dawkins? Holy crap! I must dash home and disabuse my children of their irrational beliefs right now. Santa could very well be a gateway belief that could lead to more serious, wacky beliefs later on. If only I had known. Thanks Bryan.
ReplyDeleteI must admit I find this a tricky issue. It is fun to see his excitement coming up to Christmas, but I feel a bit guilty talking about Santa to my 6 year old, as I know from past experience that some smart and sensitive children are pretty upset to find out the truth. (Others take it in their stride, I know.) What worries me most is the example this gives for belief in their parent's religion.
ReplyDeleteEven though I am on the opposite side of the fence from Dawkins, it is because I take the issue of faith and belief seriously that I don't really like making a game of it.
Sorry to be serious about a lighthearted topic!
Are you sure those socks weren't from Jeffrey Archer?
ReplyDeleteJeffrey does not shop in Issey Miyake, trust me on this.
ReplyDeleteA Santa letter arriving through the mail at Christmas is a magical moment especially for Children, when you see the look on their faces it makes you feel warm inside, knowing that your Children are thinking of Santa and friends.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Christmas! Santas Editor