What Does Santa Claus Have To Do With Christianity?

[Politico]

Man can't believe you gave this guy 31 pages.

 

[daws101]

Man can't believe you gave this guy 31 pages.

I was bored..

 

[koshergrl]

You won't get much response to meaningless drivel, it's true.

But hey, you've got duhs here to entertain us. Thank goodness.

another quality you don't possess ....

It's okay, duhs.

Share with us some of your really cool alternate spirituality *facts*! Be sure to link!

 

[daws101]

You won't get much response to meaningless drivel, it's true.

But hey, you've got duhs here to entertain us. Thank goodness.

another quality you don't possess ....

It's okay, duhs.

Share with us some of your really cool alternate spirituality *facts*! Be sure to link!

I have no cool alternate SPIRITUALITY FACTS..
I have just facts... Alternative Spirituality
In the 19th century there was literally an explosion of new sects across the sphere of the major religions of the world, and a few new ones besides. Christianity especially saw a massive splintering of protestantism. Many of these groups had origins in either emergent political theories, or else in the messianic tradition by founders whom declared an imminent apocalypse. Others still were created by nothing more than selective use of the explosion in documentation of world traditions.
Eastern thought began to filter into the USA and Europe, and pagan traditions became a focus point for a few individuals who would define neo-Paganism for the next century.
This section therefore is for cataloguing for those groups and traditions still pertinent today, whose adherents believe that the major world religions have failed to address their own thoughts and concerns.
Every effort will be made to continue the neutral coverage of world thought in this area, which may become a somewhat difficult task considering the often cult-based nature of some groups today.
So far simply bringing the main texts of the major religions to this site has been an intense labour, and will remain the imminent focus for interfaith.org until completed. However, this section will slowly be updated to encompass branches of more recent metaphysical thought, as much as time and resources allow.
For the moment, feel free to enjoy what there is. If there is any coverage you would particularly like to see then please do request so in the Forum , and I will get around to doing so as quickly as commitments allow.

Alternative Spirituality : Interfaith




Religion vs Spirituality


SpritualReligion can be defined as a belief in and reverence for a divine power. It can be a personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship. Institutionalized Religion focuses on dogmas and rules, whereas spirituality focuses on the soul that dwells within you. The American psychologist William James (1842–1910) defines spirituality as “the feelings, acts, and experiences of individual men in their solitude, so far as they apprehend themselves to stand in relation to whatever they may consider the divine.”


Read more: Difference Between Religion and Spirituality

there you have it......

 

[Zebra]

Kris Kringle (sometimes given as Kriss Kringle) is a name used in the United States and may refer to:

• Christkind or Christkindl, the Austrian and German Christmas gift-bringer, the Christ Child
• Santa Claus, by assimilation in the United States of the separate German tradition
• Secret Santa, a gift exchange deriving from the Christkindl tradition
• Kris Kringle, the lead character in Miracle on 34th Street "

Kris Kringle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Good explanation!

 

[Zebra]

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.
Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (December 19 on the Julian Calendar)."

St. Nicholas Center ::: Who is St. Nicholas?

Thanx for the info!

 

[Foxfyre]

Is Santa Claus a Christian symbol?

If so, please break it down for me by showing me how.

As it stands, I don't see how a mythical character is a symbol for Christianity.

In fact, I believe it distorts it, certainly if and/or when it's used as symbol for Christianity.

I look forward to your responses.

The "Christian connection' is that Santa Claus is an outgrowth of legends/traditions/folklore built up around the real 4th Century Christian bishop, Nicholas of Myra or Bari. He was named a Saint because of his reported kindness and benevolence and the legend and traditions that evolved from stories about him whether those were fact or myth.

Mostly beginning in the 19th and 20th Centuries, these stories in folklore and poetry gradually evolved into the character Americans know as Santa Claus along with a North Pole residence, sleigh, reindeer, elves that have delighted millions of children over the years.

Santa Claus was never intended to replace the Christ Child and the Biblical descriptions of the Christmas story. Children easily accept both without any conflict or confusion.

Santa is just a wonderful, imaginative both fictional and legendary figure, along with all the imagery built around him, that adds to the fun and joy of Christmas and does not harm children in any way. And those with creativity and imagination continue to build new and fun/rewarding/innovative fiction around that imagery.
And shame on those, especially Christians, who would take away that joy from children by making it into something sinister or evil.

 

[rightwinger]

Santa visited the Baby Jesus in the manger and brought him candy canes and a toy truck