Baptism meeting with father

notanewuser

margaretclare wrote: »

Thank you.



No, they would not. And the reason is very simple. Racism!

BTW, about Santa Claus - in the UK we used to have Father Christmas. Santa Claus, IMHO, has little if anything to do with Christmas. He's much more to do with Coca-Cola! I collect old postcards, and I have cards a century old when 'Father Christmas' was not in bright red, but in brown.

I also don't like lying to children. But hey, where do you stop? I'm told that many of the littlies now are hooked on a Disney film 'Frozen' and the characters therein. Fairy stories have been told, in one form or another, for generations.

Indeed. DD is into Frozen and other stories like the rest of them. But she knows they are stories, not real people. She knows that fairies don't really change the seasons or paint butterflies. She is absolutely free to believe whatever she likes. But as parents we have chosen not to create a lie as others do at Xmas. There have been no presents from FC or Santa, no pies left out or carrots for imaginary reindeer. We don't spend November threatening her with the "naughty list". We don't have our family get together on the 25th December. We make a fuss of birthdays but not Xmas.

She's aware (but not bothered) about Santa and we're aware that she's likely to become more aware from being at school from September. If she wants to do Santa then we'll do something, but as make belueve, not reality. We'll tell her the St Nicholas story rather than buy into the "magical Santa" idea. (Although will have to handle carefully given our "Xmas" will be done and dusted in the first week of December this year!)

lostinrates

margaretclare wrote: »

DH would certainly agree with you. He says some places have an 'aura' and they are the places that he and I find to go and pray. In church there is usually too much going on. It's nice that there is social contact, laughter, joyfulness, cup of tea/coffee afterwards, but not conducive to prayer.

I can usually pray sitting in the back garden among birdsong and the only intrusive noise is easyJet or flybe taking off from the local airport, but that only lasts seconds.

Lol, I love churches. I miss our last village where the church was much less busy and I could pop in for a good think alone. I find a quiet church a very good place to ' do what ever it is I do'. My garden is ok, but people tend to come and find me there,

margaretclare

lostinrates wrote: »

Isn't dismissing Santa Claus as a coca coal 'saint' similarly racist? gracious and kind and supportive...than not, IMO, what ever 'flavour' that comes in.

My take on the Coca-Cola interpretation of Santa Claus is that it's there to sell Coca-Cola, and nothing to do with any race or religion.

In a very few weeks from now we'll start hearing 'What are you getting, what is Santa bringing you...' Next we'll hear of parents going into debt for this.

lostinrates

margaretclare wrote: »

My take on the Coca-Cola interpretation of Santa Claus is that it's there to sell Coca-Cola, and nothing to do with any race or religion.

In a very few weeks from now we'll start hearing 'What are you getting, what is Santa bringing you...' Next we'll hear of parents going into debt for this.

If those same sort of parents say Father Christmas they will make the same regrettable Financial choices. Coca Cola's use of an image does not negate its legitimacy elsewhere ( just like dates pertinent to Christianity and 'older religions'.) there seems to be enough to be cross or sad about in the world, in the way religion is manipulated and too see with faith, any faith, are portrayed, without looking for indignation.

My interpretation on the coke add, fwiw, is that 'holidays are coming' is so powerful because so many people have so little time . Particularly family time. The prospect of the holidays ( which obviously in the us market don't just feature Christmas in that season) is a particularly holiday rich time and that 'holidays are comin'' mantra is one that keeps me going too!

seven-day-weekend

margaretclare wrote: »

DH would certainly agree with you. He says some places have an 'aura' and they are the places that he and I find to go and pray. In church there is usually too much going on. It's nice that there is social contact, laughter, joyfulness, cup of tea/coffee afterwards, but not conducive to prayer.

I can usually pray sitting in the back garden among birdsong and the only intrusive noise is easyJet or flybe taking off from the local airport, but that only lasts seconds.

My husband finds communion with God much easier up a mountain or out in the country, or even in our garden, than he does in church. Our church meetings are really noisy and busy, the talks are inspiring and enervating, and there are a couple of hundred people, so not all that conducive to quiet communion.

I just talk to God whilst on my own getting on with daily tasks.

An occupational hazard of our type of lively churches, is they do not cater well for introverts!!:rotfl::rotfl:

seven-day-weekend

notanewuser wrote: »

Indeed. DD is into Frozen and other stories like the rest of them. But she knows they are stories, not real people. She knows that fairies don't really change the seasons or paint butterflies. She is absolutely free to believe whatever she likes. But as parents we have chosen not to create a lie as others do at Xmas. There have been no presents from FC or Santa, no pies left out or carrots for imaginary reindeer. We don't spend November threatening her with the "naughty list". We don't have our family get together on the 25th December. We make a fuss of birthdays but not Xmas.

She's aware (but not bothered) about Santa and we're aware that she's likely to become more aware from being at school from September. If she wants to do Santa then we'll do something, but as make belueve, not reality. We'll tell her the St Nicholas story rather than buy into the "magical Santa" idea. (Although will have to handle carefully given our "Xmas" will be done and dusted in the first week of December this year!)

We never made him a magical figure either, he didn't fly through the sky or come down the chimney (rather frightening, I always thought!), and the presents were from friends and family. Santa was more like a glorified postman

Brighton_belle

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

An occupational hazard of our type of lively churches, is they do not cater well for introverts!!:rotfl::rotfl:

Good point SDW, lol. Perhaps that is a reason, and not just doctrinal difference, why there is a need for different types of churches with the Christian faith. Some people also thrive on the 'smell and bells' rituals, which is different again.

seven-day-weekend

Brighton_belle wrote: »

Good point SDW, lol. Perhaps that is a reason, and not just doctrinal difference, why there is a need for different types of churches with the Christian faith. Some people also thrive on the 'smell and bells' rituals, which is different again.

I absolutely agree , and occasionally sample a 'bells and smells' service myself.

Savvy_Sue

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I absolutely agree , and occasionally sample a 'bells and smells' service myself.

When we're on holiday, we often go to the local Anglican service, which is for all the expats. I find I spend my time wondering WHY this bit has to be said at the altar, and that bit not, and the like. But it does me good, as I say of another church I go to sometimes "I go from time to time to remind myself why I DON'T go there."

missbiggles1

lostinrates wrote: »

Isn't dismissing Santa Claus as a coca coal 'saint' similarly racist? After all, a saint is a saint which ever language and cultural tradition and interpretation he comes in. Father Christmas, Santa Claus , Saint Nicholas. Even with in Christianity there is multiculturalism! I went to 'faith' schools in different continents and countries with different Christmas traditions and different emphasis on different festivals. I find the anti Santa Claus thing that goes on here somewhat self defeating. A rose by any other name......

Just like god really, its better to believe in being good, gracious and kind and supportive...than not, IMO, what ever 'flavour' that comes in.

I don't believe you can link American cultural imperialism (which is what Santa is about) to multiculturalism.