shemp
23rd December 2006, 08:52 AM
AP Poll finds Santa Claus to be an enduring figure in the lives of Americans (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/23/ap/strange/mainD8M6BF780.shtml)
(AP) Santa has lots going against him _ school-yard rumors, older brothers who think they know the deal and tattle to the young ones, errant price tags, the tell-all Internet and so many Made in China labels it seems the North Pole has outsourced to Asia. Humbuggers everywhere. But no worries. It's a wonderful life for Santa.
An AP-AOL News poll finds him to be an enduring giant in the lives of Americans.
Fully 86 percent in the poll believed in Santa as a child. And despite the multiethnic nature of the country, more than 60 percent of those with children at home consider Santa important in their holiday celebrations now.
It really doesn't bother me that many people lie to their kids about Santa Claus. People lie to their kids about lots of things, like about what Mommy and Daddy are doing when the kids hear moans and screams coming from their parent's bedroom; or why Uncle Stu isn't allowed near them; or why Daddy has a few drinks from a bottle in the locked cabinet when he gets home from work.
But this is the part that got my attention:
_An overwhelming majority, across nearly all backgrounds and religious beliefs, say they believe in angels _ 81 percent. Belief in angels is shared by 57 percent of those who say they have no religious affiliation. Nearly all white evangelical Christians, 97 percent, share this belief.
How different is this belief from children's belief in Santa Claus. Zero.
People who believe in angels are like children who believe in Santa Claus. Except that as adults they should know better, but they don't. Their church is just like a parent to them, reassuring them that everything will be alright, that if they are good boys and girls, they will get a reward.
When I see numbers like that, I have no hope that mankind will overcome these delusions. I've given up hoping for a brighter future for mankind. And since I don't have children and likely never will, I've become more selfish lately. I've decided that from now on, it's all about me, unless somebody can convince me that mankind does have hope to rid itself of these delusions and straighten out its act. So I'm going back to eating fish. I'm gonna get me a nice fat tuna steak for Christmas and make Christmas Sushi!
(AP) Santa has lots going against him _ school-yard rumors, older brothers who think they know the deal and tattle to the young ones, errant price tags, the tell-all Internet and so many Made in China labels it seems the North Pole has outsourced to Asia. Humbuggers everywhere. But no worries. It's a wonderful life for Santa.
An AP-AOL News poll finds him to be an enduring giant in the lives of Americans.
Fully 86 percent in the poll believed in Santa as a child. And despite the multiethnic nature of the country, more than 60 percent of those with children at home consider Santa important in their holiday celebrations now.
It really doesn't bother me that many people lie to their kids about Santa Claus. People lie to their kids about lots of things, like about what Mommy and Daddy are doing when the kids hear moans and screams coming from their parent's bedroom; or why Uncle Stu isn't allowed near them; or why Daddy has a few drinks from a bottle in the locked cabinet when he gets home from work.
But this is the part that got my attention:
_An overwhelming majority, across nearly all backgrounds and religious beliefs, say they believe in angels _ 81 percent. Belief in angels is shared by 57 percent of those who say they have no religious affiliation. Nearly all white evangelical Christians, 97 percent, share this belief.
How different is this belief from children's belief in Santa Claus. Zero.
People who believe in angels are like children who believe in Santa Claus. Except that as adults they should know better, but they don't. Their church is just like a parent to them, reassuring them that everything will be alright, that if they are good boys and girls, they will get a reward.
When I see numbers like that, I have no hope that mankind will overcome these delusions. I've given up hoping for a brighter future for mankind. And since I don't have children and likely never will, I've become more selfish lately. I've decided that from now on, it's all about me, unless somebody can convince me that mankind does have hope to rid itself of these delusions and straighten out its act. So I'm going back to eating fish. I'm gonna get me a nice fat tuna steak for Christmas and make Christmas Sushi!