Topic: Why Do Christians Lie?

[Tim Russ]

One of the things I absolutely do not understand about Christians is how they can propagate the myth of Santa Claus by lying to children.

I didn’t grow up in church and frankly my parents told me the Santa Claus lie as well.  I thank God that my 4th grade teacher cared enough for me to confirm my doubts about his existence.  This completely shattered my trust in my parents...as an unbeliever.

Satan is a liar and the father of all lies.  When we lie, we honor Satan.  We dishonor God. 

Consider, if you will, that a child is told of a loving man who gives gifts on Christmas only to grow up and learn that it was a lie.  Now that same child at some point is told about Jesus, a man who died and came back to life to give us the gift of eternal life.

They couldn’t see Santa, they can’t see Jesus.  They have to believe.  They believed their parents as a child and it was a lie.  What possible reason can they have to believe in Jesus?  Are they to believe their lying parents?  Not likely.  Their parents are representative of their Father in heaven.  So why would they believe him...or even believe he exists?

Can someone please show me biblically how lying to a child is a Christian act that honors God?  Could someone explain to me how this is a loving thing to do to a child?

I raised four children.  I told every one of them that Santa Claus, the myth, was based on the Christian acts of a real person.  It never damaged them.  They got presents from Santa as a fun game but they all knew that mom and dad were the ones that put those presents under the tree. 

When we told them about Jesus they accepted it as the truth because they knew mom and dad didn’t lie to them.  We debunked the Easter Bunny as well, explaining that it was a fun game.  And yes, they got Easter baskets.

I just cannot figure out how Christians can tell children such a lie.

[Tony]

I agree completely Tim. They start out believing thru the world, but we use it as kind of a make believe game as children love this sort of thing and it's innocent if you don't lie to them. You know, they watch the Santa Claus shows, look at the books & pictures, hear the songs. When the younger ones ask I say well what do you think? If they are doubtful, that's fine, I tell them it's still OK and fun to play make believe with your little brothers and sisters so you don't spoil it for them til their ready, if not that's OK too.

When they are ready I explain the difference between a real Jesus and a make believe Santa. That's very important. They accept this because they have learned the difference between make believe fun and what is really real and most important: JESUS.
Jesus is real and by this time they have established the beginnings of a relationship to Him through our prayer, Bible reading, almost daily talks about God, etc. They know santa isn't like that, and I tell them right off, Santa can't see you when your sleeping or know when your awake, he doesn't know if you've been bad or good but Grandma & I do. And Jesus knows a whole lot more than us... Well, you get the picture.
And I agree with Tim, don't lie to them.

We also don't push materialism and shower them with hundreds of dollars worth of gifts.
Small personal gifts are sometimes appreciated as much or more, and I remind them also
that it's Jesus' birthday who is are Savior and Creator of all things. That he was born in a smelly stable in the cold and received only 3 gifts. It puts things into the proper perspective for them. And it's also very important to teach them to give using the same principle of God giving so much to us as well as Jesus giving his life for us. They usually seem to start getting an understanding of this around the age of 5 or 6.

I have had late night talks with my 6 year old grandson about God, His Creation, etc., that many adults wouldn't understand. Always try to keep in tune to your child's natural yearning for God. It must be fed, watered, nurtured, encouraged. We are the tool God uses to educate them. His Holy Spirit will do the work if we just 'water the garden'.

[Tim Russ]

Excellent advice, Tony.  I wish more Christians did what you do.