…Santa Is Getting Thinner Every Year
1. Throughout history, a variety of Christian churches have opposed the idea of Santa Claus and Christmas as the holiday has become increasingly secular in focus. Christmas was actually banned under Oliver Cromwell’s government following the English civil war. And in 1958, Reverend Paul Nedergaard, a Danish clergyman, declared Santa Claus to be a pagan goblin after his image was used on fund-raising material for a Danish welfare organizaiton.
2. Some corners believe that Santa Claus is the ultimate symbol of the commercialization of a religious holiday. Carol Jean-Swanson notes that Santa, “has become burdened with some of society’s greatest challenges: materialism, corporate greed, and domination by the media.” While this is certainly true, Jean-Swanson offers that the spirit of Santa Claus also encompasses some of our highest ideals: childhood purity and innocence, selfless giving, unfaltering love, justice, and mercy.
3. Some parenting “experts” believe that Santa Claus is an ill considered deception to children, who will inevitably become disappointed and disillusioned when they find out the truth. They also argue that it is unethical for parents to lie to children without good cause, and that it discourages healthy skepticism in children. Bah, humbug!
4. There always seems to be someone out there with bad intentions, even if it means destroying a child’s fantasy and imagination. Santa Claus is no exception. Canada Post’s annual Santa letter campaign, in which every child that writes to Santa gets one in return, was recently shut down as some letters to children contained filthy and sexually explicit messages.
5. It looks like Santa’s jolly old tag line of “Ho Ho Ho” is under attack. In Australia, there have been attempts to have Santas say “Ha Ha Ha” instead of “Ho Ho Ho” as some argue that the latter may frighten children and could be derogatory to women.
