# So who the fuck is offended by Santa Claus? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 1, 2016, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541 "2016-12-01T16:40:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/1 "2016-12-01T16:40:59Z")
[Oregon school district asks teachers to ‘refrain’ from Santa images](http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2016/12/school_dont_use_santa_in_class.html) > [@](#): > > Across several Oregon public school districts, Santa Claus will have a frosty reception this holiday. In particular, the Hillsboro School District, a western Portland-area public school system, requested that staff omit Santa Claus from the season’s decorations in a memo released Tuesday. A moronic statement from the district after the storm broke: > [@](#): > > “We have no policies or directives around this issue, we merely want to remind staff that we need to create inclusive and welcoming spaces for all of our students and realize that many of our students-because of their religion, culture, or other beliefs-do not feel comfortable (and in many cases may not be allowed by their parents) participating in activities that are holiday-based or religious in nature, or being surrounded by imagery that is a direct affront to them.” For fuck’s sake, Santa ceased being a religious symbol a long time ago. Sure, he’s based on a supposed Christian martyr but he has zero to do with Christianity now. Anybody who would take offense at an image of Santa is a fucktard, whatever their religion. The Supreme Court ruled in 1984 " that the city of Pawtucket, R.I., had not violated the Constitution by displaying a nativity scene accompanied by “secular” decorations like a Santa Claus house, reindeer, a Christmas tree and an elephant." Santa Clause house - secular, you narrow-minded school-district killjoys. Let the kids enjoy seeing Santa at Christmas in the schools, assholes. I guarantee no kids are going to run from the class screaming “I’m so offended!”. They exist only in your fevered imaginations. And if some stupid parent comes in complaining tell them to blow it out their ass. Santa isn’t Christian any more, live with it. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/2 "2016-12-01T16:43:37Z")
I celebrate Christmas in a wholly pagan, Santa-oriented sort of way, but I see the wisdom in not overtly celebrating it in public schools. Santa might not be a strongly Christian image, but he’s a strongly Christmas image, and it is, after all, a religious holiday. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/3 "2016-12-01T16:47:47Z")
My son literally got sent to the principal’s office in third grade because when he was _asked by another kid_ if he believed in Santa he said no (we’re Jewish). And no, he didn’t mock or tease the kid, he simply said “no”. He was accused by the teacher of spoiling everyone else’s Christmas. Yes, please keep this out of the schools. The Christian kids get all the celebration they could want and school can be a place where non-Christian kids can just not be reminded once again they aren’t part of the majority. ---
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/4 "2016-12-01T16:48:28Z")
Jehovah’s Witnesses and some other small religious groups often object to Santa Claus: > [@The Watchtower](#): > > (4) What Does Santa Claus Have to Do With Jesus and His Birth? > > The custom: In many lands, Santa Claus is viewed as the one who brings children gifts.\* Children often write to Santa, asking for presents, which, according to tradition, elves help him to make at his North Pole headquarters. > > Its roots: According to the popular view, the Santa Claus myth owes its origin to Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Asia Minor, now Turkey. “Virtually everything written about St. Nicholas is based on legends,” says The Christmas Encyclopedia. The designation “Santa Claus” may owe its origin to the word Sinterklaas, a corruption of the Dutch terms for “Saint Nicholas.” Historically and Biblically, Santa Claus has nothing in common with Jesus Christ. > > What the Bible says: “Now that you have put away falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor.” Our closest ‘neighbors’ are our family members. (Ephesians 4:25) The Bible also says that we should “love truth,” “speaking the truth in [our] heart.” (Zechariah 8:19; Psalm 15:2) True, telling children that Santa (or the Christ child) is the bearer of presents at Christmas may seem to be innocent fun, but is it right or wise to deceive little children, even if one’s intentions are not bad? Do you not find it ironic that an occasion that is supposedly meant to honor Jesus becomes a time to deceive children? Shudder - you can visit the Watchtower online [here](http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102010442) Often the rationale is something like “Santa is deceiving children” and that deception is bad. ---
**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/5 "2016-12-01T16:55:44Z")
There is this to consider. I never liked the Santa Claus traditions because unless their parents get very lucky with the Make-A-Wish Trees, Toys for Tots etc., it just seems like a way to make poor kids feel more miserable on Christmas. “Didn’t get the toys, you wanted. Guess you just weren’t good enough.” ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/6 "2016-12-01T16:57:43Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > Sure, he’s based on a supposed Christian martyr but he has zero to do with Christianity now. Anybody who would take offense at an image of Santa is a fucktard, whatever their religion I am not offended by images of Santa but to say that he has zero to do with Christianity is just plain wrong. It is amazing how many people buy into the idea of secular Christmas - there is no such thing. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/7 "2016-12-01T16:57:48Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > Anybody who would take offense at an image of Santa is a fucktard, whatever their religion. For some people, being a fucktard _is_ their religion. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/8 "2016-12-01T17:01:11Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > I am not offended by images of Santa but to say that he has zero to do with Christianity is just plain wrong. It is amazing how many people buy into the idea of secular Christmas - there is no such thing. Ever been to Japan? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/9 "2016-12-01T17:02:44Z")
Mr. Claus is undeniably a Christmas thing. I oppose all things Christmas, especially in the schools. (Although I did have a small part in our 5th grade Christmas play, in which Santa was a main character. Things were different in 1969…) ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/10 "2016-12-01T17:04:23Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > The Supreme Court ruled in 1984 " that the city of Pawtucket, R.I., had not violated the Constitution by displaying a nativity scene accompanied by “secular” decorations like a Santa Claus house, reindeer, a Christmas tree and an elephant." Santa Clause house - secular, you narrow-minded school-district killjoys. So the fuck what? The Supreme Court has made bad decisions in the past based on current “feelings” as opposed to legal reasoning. The decision was 5-4 in Lynch v. Donnelly and in the dissent by the narrow minority, it was said: “The effect on minority religious groups, as well as on those who may reject religion, is to convey the message that their views are not similarly worthy of public recognition nor entitled to public support. It was precisely this sort of chauvinism that the Establishment Clause was intended forever to prohibit.” Then in 1989 in the County of Allegheny v. American Civil Liberties Union case, the crèche was found to be unconstitutional due to its placement. > [@aldiboronti](#): > > Let the kids enjoy seeing Santa at Christmas in the schools, assholes. I guarantee no kids are going to run from the class screaming “I’m so offended!”. They exist only in your fevered imaginations. And if some stupid parent comes in complaining tell them to blow it out their ass. Santa isn’t Christian any more, live with it. No thanks. What educational value is Santa providing anyways? Might as well talk about the Snuggle Fabric Softener bear and have valuable time spent on that too. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/11 "2016-12-01T17:05:14Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > I am not offended by images of Santa but to say that he has zero to do with Christianity is just plain wrong. It is amazing how many people buy into the idea of secular Christmas - there is no such thing. 😕 Of course there is. I celebrate Christmas, and I’m a secularist. Why on earth would secular Christmas not be a thing? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/12 "2016-12-01T17:15:02Z")
It’s that fucking blown out of proportion “War On Christmas!” crap all over again. In the link, did anyone notice this note from the school district? > [@](#): > > “We were NOT banning Santa, nor were we going to be the ‘decorations police’ and scold people if they happened to have decorations up that might be too Christmas-y,” Hillsboro School District spokeswoman Beth Graser said to KGW Portland, “unless they were totally over the top.” The memo was meant to curb overdoses of holiday cheer, the district said, not necessarily just Santa; a winter door-decoration contest had “gotten excessive” in the past, Graser said. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/13 "2016-12-01T17:20:24Z")
“We have no policies or directives around this issue, we merely want to remind staff that we need to create inclusive and welcoming spaces for all of our students and realize that many of our students-because of their religion, culture, or other beliefs-do not feel comfortable (and in many cases may not be allowed by their parents) participating in activities that are holiday-based or religious in nature, or being surrounded by imagery that is a direct affront to them.” > [@aldiboronti](#): > > [Oregon school district asks teachers to ‘refrain’ from Santa images](http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2016/12/school_dont_use_santa_in_class.html) > > … narrow-minded school-district killjoys… Is this an example of that “projection” all the kiddos are talking about nowadays? Because actually, being bothered by this action is the narrow minded thing. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/14 "2016-12-01T17:23:04Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > I am not offended by images of Santa but to say that he has zero to do with Christianity is just plain wrong. It is amazing how many people buy into the idea of secular Christmas - there is no such thing. I celebrated Christmas as a child for several years before I learned that it had a religious significance for some people. The first time I sang Silent Night it confused me because I didn’t know what it was about. (The obscure language didn’t help.) My mother was culturally Christian and a Quaker humanist. My father was an atheist Jew who thought Christmas would be more fun for the kids than Hanukkah. It was a totally secular holiday for us, and it still is. Why are my family traditions less real/valuable than anyone else’s? ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/15 "2016-12-01T17:31:08Z")
Seems to me that restricting ‘Santa’ is an odd choice - if you want to be sensitive to those that dont celebrate, then you should restrict all decorations - for all holidays - not just a single image from one specific holiday. Or, you find a way to show images from all holidays that your class represents as a way of expanding childrens knowledge of ‘other’ holidays - but of course, I’m sure there are a few who will be offended by that. For those that celebrate none - (for religious or other reasons) - the holidays suck no matter what , kids are cruel little beasts. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/16 "2016-12-01T17:32:06Z")
> [@](#): > > We have no policies or directives around this issue, we merely want to remind staff that we need to create inclusive and welcoming spaces for all of our students and realize that many of our students-because of their religion, culture, or other beliefs-do not feel comfortable (and in many cases may not be allowed by their parents) participating in activities that are holiday-based or religious in nature, or being surrounded by imagery that is a direct affront to them." But the later note makes it clear that this only applies to Santa displays that are excessive or over-the-top. Students who aren’t comfortable with normal Christmas displays are out of luck. > [@Procrustus](#): > > Mr. Claus is undeniably a Christmas thing. I oppose all things Christmas, especially in the schools. Too bad for you, at least in the Hillsboro School District. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/17 "2016-12-01T17:33:10Z")
I have a Santa costume that I’ve worn on two occasions when I’ve participated in Santacon/Santarchy in Pittsburgh. I had pornography in my sack that I handed out to bad boys and girls (over the age of 18). Most observers were offended by my rendition of Santa. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/18 "2016-12-01T17:33:17Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > I celebrated Christmas as a child for several years before I learned that it had a religious significance for some people. The first time I sang Silent Night it confused me because I didn’t know what it was about. (The obscure language didn’t help.) > > My mother was culturally Christian and a Quaker humanist. My father was an atheist Jew who thought Christmas would be more fun for the kids than Hanukkah. > > It was a totally secular holiday for us, and it still is. > > Why are my family traditions less real/valuable than anyone else’s? The point is, for the most part the people who are arguing that Christmas is a secular holiday are usually trying to minimize the frustrations and concerns of non-Christmas celebrators, usually those who actively participate in another religion. While some people may celebrate Christmas in a totally secular way, that does not convert Christmas into a secular holiday. Just like that some people emphasize religious teachings along with thanksgiving, doesn’t turn Thanksgiving into a religious holiday. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/19 "2016-12-01T17:33:26Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Seems to me that restricting ‘Santa’ is an odd choice - if you want to be sensitive to those that dont celebrate, then you should restrict all decorations - for all holidays - not just a single image from one specific holiday. > > Or, you find a way to show images from all holidays that your class represents as a way of expanding childrens knowledge of ‘other’ holidays - but of course, I’m sure there are a few who will be offended by that. > > For those that celebrate none - (for religious or other reasons) - the holidays suck no matter what , kids are cruel little beasts. Once again: > [@](#): > > “We were NOT banning Santa, nor were we going to be the ‘decorations police’ and scold people if they happened to have decorations up that might be too Christmas-y,” Hillsboro School District spokeswoman Beth Graser said to KGW Portland, “unless they were totally over the top.” The memo was meant to curb overdoses of holiday cheer, the district said, not necessarily just Santa; a winter door-decoration contest had “gotten excessive” in the past, Graser said. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541/20 "2016-12-01T17:36:05Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Too bad for you, at least in the Hillsboro School District. > > Regards, > Shodan I no longer have kids in school, so I’m not really bothered. As long as I can find a Chinese restaurant open, the holiday doesn’t affect me. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-fuck-is-offended-by-santa-claus/773541.md?page=2)