# Why should Santa be regarded differently than God? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 9, 2019, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442 "2019-01-09T02:20:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/181 "2019-02-01T18:37:53Z")
> [@EscAlaMike](#): > > I don’t consider what I’m doing “proselytizing”; but even if it is, I am free to do so in this forum. I was speaking generally about people who hold religious beliefs. You’re free to do whatever you want. I am free to judge you for it. I can’t stop you from prostelyzing, but I can point out that you might not be as extreme as a Taliban member, but at the end of the day you share some core values. To clarify: prostelyzing is motivated by the very same ideas that lead the Taliban to kill everyone who disagrees with them. ---
**Author:** ![EscAlaMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/escalamike/32/4177_2.png) [@EscAlaMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EscAlaMike)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/182 "2019-02-01T18:42:59Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > And there we have it: You demand the type of evidence that you yourself cannot/will not produce. _Produce the witnesses of that miracle you believe happened or, at the very least, produce the person who originally told that story._ > If you ask me to produce the name of the person who told _my_ tale, I can do it easily. > > Your turn. Jesus had 11 disciples who witnessed him resurrected. Two of those disciples (Matthew and John) wrote biographies about Jesus’ life. The rest travelled around teaching. They in turn had followers, many of which wrote things themselves. Mark was a disciple of Peter and wrote the Gospel of Mark. Polycarp and Ignatius of Antioch were disciples of John. These aren’t just names. They are witnesses and witnesses of witnesses who wrote things down. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/183 "2019-02-01T18:43:42Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > I don’t take issue with your beliefs, by the way. I take issue with you pretending that your beliefs are in any way based on evidence, or are more valid than anyone else’s belief. If you want to worship Jesus on your own, good for you. Don’t bother anyone else, and especially don’t prostelyze. This is the appropriate forum for witnessing. Please do not appear to junior mod. [/moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/184 "2019-02-01T18:46:45Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > This is the appropriate forum for witnessing. Please do not appear to junior mod. > > [/moderating] Apologies – I meant that in the sense that prostelyzing is morally wrong, and you shouldn’t do it because it’s a terrible thing to do. I wasn’t trying to imply he shouldn’t do it on the Dope or in Great Debates – it’s not against the rules here nor should it be. I’m just going to think you’re a bad person. IMHO, YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![EscAlaMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/escalamike/32/4177_2.png) [@EscAlaMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EscAlaMike)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/185 "2019-02-01T18:46:54Z")
> [@sbunny8](#): > > I don’t know where you got your so-called “basic definition of God”, but it certainly didn’t come from the bible. Can you explain to me why it should? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/186 "2019-02-01T18:48:05Z")
> [@EscAlaMike](#): > > Jesus had 11 disciples who witnessed him resurrected. Two of those disciples (Matthew and John) wrote biographies about Jesus’ life. The rest travelled around teaching. They in turn had followers, many of which wrote things themselves. > > Mark was a disciple of Peter and wrote the Gospel of Mark. > > Polycarp and Ignatius of Antioch were disciples of John. > > These aren’t just names. They are witnesses and witnesses of witnesses who wrote things down. So the only evidence for Jesus comes from his disciples. Got it. If you want to take their word for it, you’re welcome to. I’m gonna wait for 3rd party verification. ---
**Author:** ![EscAlaMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/escalamike/32/4177_2.png) [@EscAlaMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EscAlaMike)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/187 "2019-02-01T18:49:38Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > To clarify: prostelyzing is motivated by the very same ideas that lead the Taliban to kill everyone who disagrees with them. The Taliban are motivated by the salvation of souls other than their own? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/188 "2019-02-01T18:50:29Z")
> [@EscAlaMike](#): > > Can you explain to me why it should? So all of your evidence for the existence of Jesus and God comes from the bible. But you choose to believe in a god different from the one described in the bible. So where does your evidence for the “basic definition of God” and his existence come from? Note: you can’t use any part of the bible, because you admitted that the God described there is nothing like your god. ---
**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:** [February 1, 2019, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/189 "2019-02-01T18:52:18Z")
“Witnesses of witnesses”?!? There aren’t enough :rolleyes: on the whole internet for that type of silliness. If that is how low your standards are for evidence, then your next post should be congratulating me for my swim across the Pacific. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/190 "2019-02-01T18:52:34Z")
> [@EscAlaMike](#): > > The Taliban are motivated by the salvation of souls other than their own? The Taliban are motivated by the belief that there is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet. Since Allah just means God in Arabic, you’re talkiing about the same guy – you just don’t buy what this Muhammed guy had to say about him. Why not, by the way? There’s lots of evidence for the existence of Muhammad. He was definitely a real person. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/191 "2019-02-01T18:53:55Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > “Witnesses of witnesses”?!? > There aren’t enough :rolleyes: on the whole internet for that type of silliness. > If that is how low your standards are for evidence, then your next post should be congratulating me for my swim across the Pacific. You did swim across the Pacific, I saw it! Good job by the way. You can read all about **Czarcasm’s** journey in my new book, The Babale Gospel ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/192 "2019-02-01T18:54:35Z")
> [@EscAlaMike](#): > > Maybe because humans existing is better than humans not existing? How should I know? Hey: you’re the expert here. You tell me. > [@EscAlaMike](#): > > Why do we humans have children when we know that they are free to defy us, embarass us, shame us, even make our lives miserable? Unless you are now arguing that people are gods, this question has no place in this discussion. ---
**Author:** ![EscAlaMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/escalamike/32/4177_2.png) [@EscAlaMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EscAlaMike)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/193 "2019-02-01T18:56:43Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > So all of your evidence for the existence of Jesus and God comes from the bible. I never said that. sbunny8 did. > [@Babale](#): > > But you choose to believe in a god different from the one described in the bible. So where does your evidence for the “basic definition of God” and his existence come from? Note: you can’t use any part of the bible, because you admitted that the God described there is nothing like your god. I don’t think you understand how the Bible works, or even what it is… ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/194 "2019-02-01T18:56:58Z")
> [@EscAlaMike](#): > > Can you explain to me why it should? Wait: you didn’t get your picture of God from the Bible? Where did you get it? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/195 "2019-02-01T19:00:37Z")
> [@EscAlaMike](#): > > I never said that. You did. > > I don’t think you understand how the Bible works, or even what it is… Really? Because you confirmed that you don’t get your idea of God from the bible, and recognize that there is a difference (or your “can you explain to me why [my conception of God] should [come from the bible]” comment was very disingenuous). ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/196 "2019-02-01T19:01:02Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > I don’t take issue with your beliefs, by the way. I take issue with you pretending that your beliefs are in any way based on evidence, or are more valid than anyone else’s belief. If you want to worship Jesus on your own, good for you. Don’t bother anyone else, and especially don’t prostelyze. Babale. Don’t junior mod. You’re completely wrong, anyway. This is specifically the forum for witnessing. ---
**Author:** ![EscAlaMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/escalamike/32/4177_2.png) [@EscAlaMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EscAlaMike)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/197 "2019-02-01T19:01:10Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Wait: you didn’t get your picture of God from the Bible? Where did you get it? Primarily from the Catholic Church. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/198 "2019-02-01T19:22:12Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Babale. Don’t junior mod. > > You’re completely wrong, anyway. This is specifically the forum for witnessing. I apologized earlier, but I will do so again – that was bad phrasing on my part. EscAlaMike is obviously allowed to witness in this forum, and I didn’t mean to imply he shouldn’t do so in order to comply with board rules. I just meant to express my personal disapproval for him or anyone else doing so. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/199 "2019-02-01T19:36:51Z")
> [@EscAlaMike](#): > > Primarily from the Catholic Church. Did they make theirs up without using the Bible? 😕 > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Wait a second… are you saying that your God _isn’t_ all-powerful? I mean, if he didn’t make the natural world dangerous who or what did? 😕 > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I’ll put it another way: can your all-powerful god make mistakes? ---
**Author:** ![EscAlaMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/escalamike/32/4177_2.png) [@EscAlaMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EscAlaMike)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442/200 "2019-02-01T19:55:25Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Did they make theirs up without using the Bible? 😕 The Bible is a product of the Catholic Church. The Church gets its knowledge of God from Hebrew tradition (of which the OT scriptures are a part), from the life and teachings of Jesus which were preserved and passed on by the Apostles and their successors, and from philosophical reasoning. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442.md?page=11)