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Contemplations
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Jul. 21st, 2005 | 10:45 pm
mood: 
contemplative
My parents imparted the legend of Santa Claus to me as a child and instilled in me the belief that a jolly old fellow in red pajamas had flying reindeer and could magically scoot down chimneys. Never mind that we never had a chimney, their words were still powerful enough to fuel my belief. There was also enough Santa related media to support my belief in him. I sent letters to Santa Claus to request certain favors, well gifts. My parents endeavored to reward some of my more reasonable requests.
The same held true for the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. They instilled the belief in me, I made requests (well, not so much with E.B. and T.F., but still...I always wanted more chocolate or money). They fulfilled my desires behind the scenes.
My parents also tried sending me to Sunday school to foster in me a belief in God or maybe they sent me just so that they could have Sunday mornings for fun and play like a friend’s parents did. Requests could be made of God in the form of prayers. Also, like Santa, God would also be watching and would know if you were bad or good.
I hope that I am not spoiling anything for anyone, but as I grew up, I discovered that Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy were not real. It was revealed to me that my parents had played their roles for so many years. For many years, I had believed in these mythical nonexistent characters and had still gotten what I expected from them because my parents worked to fulfill most of their promises: a stocking on Christmas morning, a basket of candy on Easter and money in exchange for baby teeth.
It has been playing in my head for a few days that maybe religion works along these lines. A belief in something greater is fostered, but the something greater does not exist. There is media to support this nonexistent being but prayers, etc. are fulfilled through the workings of other human beings. Perhaps we play Santa to others.
The same held true for the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. They instilled the belief in me, I made requests (well, not so much with E.B. and T.F., but still...I always wanted more chocolate or money). They fulfilled my desires behind the scenes.
My parents also tried sending me to Sunday school to foster in me a belief in God or maybe they sent me just so that they could have Sunday mornings for fun and play like a friend’s parents did. Requests could be made of God in the form of prayers. Also, like Santa, God would also be watching and would know if you were bad or good.
I hope that I am not spoiling anything for anyone, but as I grew up, I discovered that Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy were not real. It was revealed to me that my parents had played their roles for so many years. For many years, I had believed in these mythical nonexistent characters and had still gotten what I expected from them because my parents worked to fulfill most of their promises: a stocking on Christmas morning, a basket of candy on Easter and money in exchange for baby teeth.
It has been playing in my head for a few days that maybe religion works along these lines. A belief in something greater is fostered, but the something greater does not exist. There is media to support this nonexistent being but prayers, etc. are fulfilled through the workings of other human beings. Perhaps we play Santa to others.
