Teacher telling 7yo that Father Christmas not real

[Peaceandquietandacuppa]

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!

Is there?
How?
Explain.

What negative language are you referring to? The use of the word lie? It is a lie, a justifiable lie to some.

The fact you need to make sure you write it's a lie every single time - we know father Christmas isn't real but your need to shout about it all being LIES is interesting. I don't think I'd ever use the word lie when discussing cultural beliefs around Christmas ( or anything really). I think you also called it a needless lie earlier too......
It was just an observation as it clearly articulates your feelings about the whole thing.

Have you missed most of the thread?

No, but I think you might have.

Nobody is forcing anyone to believe in Father Christmas
Nobody is forcing you to tell your children to believe

Just don't go out of your way to tell other peoples children that Father Christmas isn't real just before Christmas.
It's not difficult.

Either you believe Santa is real or you don't. Which is it?

Some people are actually arguing that it isn't a lie though, if you care to read the whole thread. Also, you're the one using the caps, not me. As for it being a 'needless' lie, that's also factual.

Just to add, I don't ever say any of that to other people's kids, it's just that we're now debating whether it is a lie or whether it's optional!!!

And yet atheists are always telling Christians and others that their beliefs are a lie.

I'd be surprised if any adult, who doesn't perhaps have learning difficulties, can think santa is real. Of course it's a lie.

Yes of course. Do you imagine there are only two options for everything, absolute truth and then lies? What is fiction? What are dreams? What is politeness? There are millions of things that are not true but also aren't lies.

Why are people so rigid?

Well, I do actually believe all religion is based on lies, but I respect that others will think/feel differently. The difference is I am only 99.999....% convinced there isn't/aren't actually any god figure(s) whereas I 100% know the santa story is made up!

Oh dear lord. This is the thinking one expects from young children, not grown adults. Life is nuanced, it's all grey area, it's not black and white.

Nobody actually seriously believes there's a fat dude in a red suit living at the north pole with ten elves and reindeer. But that doesn't make Santa a lie.

Where to start with this....
Fiction is made up. It's* *not the truth, though there may be elements of truth in it. Nobody should be trying to convince anyone that fiction is real, because it's not. It's a lie to say fiction actually happened. The santa story comes under this category, in that we all know the current idea of FC/santa is a lie, but some folk feel it's a justifiable lie for their and their child's enjoyment.
Dreams (assuming you mean sleep dreams as opposed to aspirational dreams) are a complex topic, and there are lots of theories why we dream. Again though, it would be a lie to say that anything contained in them is definitely truth, because it isn't!

Your post contradicts itself.

It's not a grey area.
It's a lie.
The point is that many see it as a justifiable lie.

And yet atheists are always telling Christians and others that their beliefs are a lie.

Do they tell children that though? That's my point.

I'm not arguing whether FC is real or not. I'm saying there's no need to say that to a child just before Christmas as it's mean spirited.

Your post contradicts itself.

In what way?
You said people were forcing you to believe in FC. That's clearly not the case.

My 7yo still believes. We're not all raising cynical mini TikTok influencers.

As for it being a 'needless' lie, that's also factual.

I would say that's your opinion. Whether something is 'needless' is going to be a matter of personal opinion.

Eh?
What an odd comparison.

Nope, it's factual.
Do you understand what the term 'need' means? FC is not essential to life. Some choose to lie about FC, and that's fair enough, but it's in no way essential to life, or indeed enjoyment of christmas.

The first and second section are contradicting. It's fairly simple.

Nope, it's factual.
Do you understand what the term 'need' means? FC is not essential to life. Some choose to lie about FC, and that's fair enough, but it's in no way essential to life, or indeed enjoyment of christmas.

Yes I understand the term 'need'. Do you?
It doesn't just refer to what is essential to life as you suggest. There are hierarchies of needs - it's far more nuanced that you suggest.

For many families the myth of FC isn't needless. It's part of their culture and shared consciousness. It might be 'needless' to you and your family but for others it's part of their family traditions and contributes to a sense of belonging.
You do things differently and that's perfectly okay, but don't tell other people their culture and traditions are needless.

The first and second section are contradicting. It's fairly simple.

Either you've not read the post correctly or you don't understand what contradictory means.

I said nobody is forcing you to believe in FC (true) and I just asked that you don't go out of your way to tell children he isn't real. That doesn't mean I'm asking you to believe!

I really wish there was a way to block folk who quote and respond to every single factual post with non-facts.
Happy christmas all.
Over and out.

You really can’t see the hypocrisy in having a go at one group and yet expecting your own group to be protected?

Shameful.

You really can’t see the hypocrisy in having a go at one group and yet expecting your own group to be protected?
Shameful.

The only people I'm having a go at are people who purposefully go out of their way to tell young children FC isn't real
You've already said that isn't something you do - so we're all good surely?

I fully respect your choice to tell you children FC isn't real from the outset. That is your choice completely. I'm not having a go at anyone for doing that. I really don't care!!
However, I wouldn't dream of going up to your child and trying to convince them that FC is real. All I'm suggesting is that the same should apply the other way around. I really don't see why that offends you so much or means I'm a hypocrite. I'm just saying be nice to kids!!!