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Original poster

Teacher telling 7yo that Father Christmas not real

770 replies

Peaceandquietandacuppa · 11/12/2024 22:33

Is it reasonable for a RE teacher to tell 7 year olds that Father Christmas isn’t real?

My 7 year old DS has just told me that his RE teacher told the class Father Christmas “isn’t real” today. He isn’t one to over-exaggerate. I asked if any of the kids prompted it by asking and he said no, she just said it.

If you think it’s unreasonable, would you say anything to the school?

YABU - teachers are fine to say FC is not real at the age of 7

YANBU - let the kids / parents decide if FC is real. Just don’t say anything!

OP posts:
masterblaster · 13/12/2024 17:41

Provided that the RE teacher said “here are some religions that people believe in, they are all as valid as Santa, and Santa doesn’t exist” I’m ok with it.

I would have quite short RE lessons.

SleepyHippy3 · 13/12/2024 17:27

PureBoggin · 13/12/2024 16:50

Would you also hope they could tell children that God exists because that's what they believe. Or how about that they are Satanists?

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Absolutely, if they believe in any kind of god, they should be absolutely be allowed to say that. But in either case, no indoctrination should follow.

SerenityNowSerenityNow · 13/12/2024 17:00

And as I have said several times no. People don't have to be kind that is such a passive aggressive thinking always thrown at women!

Why are you comparing 'be kind' with being nice to children?

Why wouldn't you want to be kind to children??! Such a bizarre response

Manara · 13/12/2024 16:53

I think teachers should be neutral. So 'some people believe' instead of 'this is not real.'

PureBoggin · 13/12/2024 16:50

SleepyHippy3 · 13/12/2024 16:43

I would hope that if a teacher wanted to say that there is no god, because that is what they believe, that they should absolutely be able to say that, to children included.

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Would you also hope they could tell children that God exists because that's what they believe. Or how about that they are Satanists?

Manara · 13/12/2024 16:48

ThatIsNotMyNameSoWhyAreYouCallingMeThat · 11/12/2024 22:41

The absolute irony!!

Where's the irony? You don't have to be religious to teach religious education.

PureBoggin · 13/12/2024 16:46

Please don't repeat yourself. It wouldn't be worth your effort or mine.

SleepyHippy3 · 13/12/2024 16:43

stripeyshutters · 13/12/2024 16:06

That teacher is a spoilsport! No need to say that. Do they say God isn't real too?

I would hope that if a teacher wanted to say that there is no god, because that is what they believe, that they should absolutely be able to say that, to children included.

Marblesbackagain · 13/12/2024 16:37

PureBoggin · 13/12/2024 16:34

You're clutching at straws here @Marblesbackagain . This is not a feminist issue. It's a human one. At no point have I ever said "be kind" and and no point have I said women should be kind. You've made both of things up because your actual points are weak.

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Oh behave, seriously go back and read my posts because I am bored repeating myself now 🥱

SleepyHippy3 · 13/12/2024 16:37

PureBoggin · 13/12/2024 15:53

Why?

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Because if you can’t prove it exits, whatever it is that you are claiming exists , it doesn’t exist and it’s not real.

PureBoggin · 13/12/2024 16:34

Marblesbackagain · 13/12/2024 16:28

And as I have said several times no. People don't have to be kind that is such a passive aggressive thinking always thrown at women!

Show quote history

You're clutching at straws here @Marblesbackagain . This is not a feminist issue. It's a human one. At no point have I ever said "be kind" and and no point have I said women should be kind. You've made both of things up because your actual points are weak.

Marblesbackagain · 13/12/2024 16:28

PureBoggin · 13/12/2024 15:50

There's a difference between being kind and letting people live their lives the way they see fit without offering your uninvited opinions. The fact is she didn't have to "be" anything except quiet.

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And as I have said several times no. People don't have to be kind that is such a passive aggressive thinking always thrown at women!

SouthLondonMum22 · 13/12/2024 16:27

TreeSquirrel · 13/12/2024 15:48

Think there are bigger issues tbh if learning that a fictional character isn’t real stops a DC enjoying Christmas.

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I’d say the issue is with the adult who doesn’t have to spoil it for a child who believes and is excited about it.

Nolegusta · 13/12/2024 16:13

stripeyshutters · 13/12/2024 16:06

That teacher is a spoilsport! No need to say that. Do they say God isn't real too?

Possibly.

stripeyshutters · 13/12/2024 16:06

That teacher is a spoilsport! No need to say that. Do they say God isn't real too?

Whatisssthis · 13/12/2024 16:03

ThatIsNotMyNameSoWhyAreYouCallingMeThat · 11/12/2024 22:41

The absolute irony!!

@ThatIsNotMyNameSoWhyAreYouCallingMeThat 😂😂😂😂

ginasevern · 13/12/2024 16:02

LBFseBrom · 13/12/2024 11:59

Knowing the truth does not ruin Christmas for any child.

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Of course it doesn't. Every child (usually by the age of 9 or 10 at the very latest) discovers one way or another. They will have heard from other kids and probably already had suspicions of their own. If hearing that Santa isn't real ruins Christmas for children, then we must presume that every child will forever be inconsolable on 25th December. This is not at all the case and, once the truth is out, children continue to want to eat chocolates for breakfast and rip their presents open.

thepariscrimefiles · 13/12/2024 16:02

Marblesbackagain · 13/12/2024 14:40

Oh great another be kind! 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

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I do try and be kind to small children. I imagine that most people do.

Nolegusta · 13/12/2024 15:59

PureBoggin · 13/12/2024 15:53

Why?

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The burden of proof always lies with the person making the claim that something exists or happened.

PureBoggin · 13/12/2024 15:53

Nolegusta · 13/12/2024 15:52

Actually the burden of proof would lie with those who think he is real. Same goes with gods. Nice try though.

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Why?

Nolegusta · 13/12/2024 15:52

Grammarnut · 13/12/2024 12:06

Can you demonstrate a proof that FC is not real?

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Actually the burden of proof would lie with those who think he is real. Same goes with gods. Nice try though.

PureBoggin · 13/12/2024 15:51

Marblesbackagain · 13/12/2024 14:40

Oh great another be kind! 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

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And you didn't acknowledge your own hypocrisy. Funny that, considering on how keen you are on the "truth".

PureBoggin · 13/12/2024 15:50

Marblesbackagain · 13/12/2024 14:40

Oh great another be kind! 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Show quote history

There's a difference between being kind and letting people live their lives the way they see fit without offering your uninvited opinions. The fact is she didn't have to "be" anything except quiet.

TreeSquirrel · 13/12/2024 15:48

AlPras · 13/12/2024 13:59

YANBU - Awful thing to do esp unprompted, completely ruining the magic of xmas.

Think there are bigger issues tbh if learning that a fictional character isn’t real stops a DC enjoying Christmas.

Curtainqueen · 13/12/2024 15:36

So, teacher told DS that someone who doesn’t exist and is just used by parents as a means of control because you won’t get any presents if you don’t behave, doesn’t exist? Am i right so far?

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