Can we agree that modern Santa is not a Christian character?

There are stories of a Christian saint around 300 CE, but modern Santa, shopping mall Santa, has nothing to do with Christianity - right?

okiknowit2015-12-19T16:21:29Z

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The Supreme Court has ruled that Santa is a secular character not a religious one.

?2015-12-19T17:50:58Z

"nothing to do with Christianity" might be a stretch. The modern Santa is derived from various revisions of the historical Christian, Saint Nicolas (e.g. the Dutch Sinterklaas and the Austrian/German Christkindl). St Nic was known for his care of children, various miracles, and extraordinary generosity. One story has him delivering a gift down a chimney. So there remains some parallels between Santa and the original man.

Whilst modern Santa bears only little resemblance to his namesake, there is no reason to consider Santa to be anti-Christian or pagan. Modern Santa is a story to entertain children - and can be used as a teaching lesson pointing to the love and generosity exemplified by the original saint - which is an inherently Christian lesson.

John2015-12-19T16:40:33Z

Santa wears Coca Cola red colour outfit because of a American advertizing campaign in the 1930's. He still does

Anonymous2015-12-19T17:47:11Z

No, we cannot. Christianity is more than a set of private beliefs. For some reason very secular and very religious people want to deny that a major component of Western civilization is Christianity.

?2015-12-19T16:21:45Z

Saint Nick

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