Jesus vs. Santa?

A Roman Catholic archbishop surprised his parishioners in Argentina by telling the children that Santa Claus was not real, but instead a commercialized symbol of Christmas, AFP reported Tuesday.

"That's not Christmas," Archbishop Fabriciano Sigampa of the northern city of Resistencia said during mass, insisting that children should not confuse celebrating the birth of Christ "with a fat man dressed in red."

...

He said children "should know that, in reality, the gifts come from the efforts of their parents and with the help of Jesus."

-- News on LJ

Some non-believers may laugh at the pot calling the kettle black. Personally, I think Christmas is big enough for both Santa and Jesus, and seeing how much Jesus loved and exalted the children, I also suspect that he would appreciate the childhood joy of the Santa side of Christmas. Sure, it would be good if people were more mindful of the deeper insights of giving and gratefulness, but that doesn't mean we cannot have a little fun along the way.

_ _ _

December 20, 2010

Hmm, it just occurred to me, while looking over this entry, that you only have to play a little with the letters in Santa to get Satan. Of course, it probably doesn't mean anything - or does it?

Jesus vs. Santa?

A Roman Catholic archbishop surprised his parishioners in Argentina by telling the children that Santa Claus was not real, but instead a commercialized symbol of Christmas, AFP reported Tuesday.

"That's not Christmas," Archbishop Fabriciano Sigampa of the northern city of Resistencia said during mass, insisting that children should not confuse celebrating the birth of Christ "with a fat man dressed in red."

...

He said children "should know that, in reality, the gifts come from the efforts of their parents and with the help of Jesus."

-- News on LJ

Some non-believers may laugh at the pot calling the kettle black. Personally, I think Christmas is big enough for both Santa and Jesus, and seeing how much Jesus loved and exalted the children, I also suspect that he would appreciate the childhood joy of the Santa side of Christmas. Sure, it would be good if people were more mindful of the deeper insights of giving and gratefulness, but that doesn't mean we cannot have a little fun along the way.

_ _ _

December 20, 2010

Hmm, it just occurred to me, while looking over this entry, that you only have to play a little with the letters in Santa to get Satan. Of course, it probably doesn't mean anything - or does it?

Einstein's God

The most famous Einstein Pronouncement on God came in the form of a telegram, in which he was asked to answer the question in 50 words or less. He did it in 32: "I believe in Spinoza's God who reveals himself in the lawful harmony of all that exists, but not in a God who concerns himself with the fate and the doings of mankind."

-- Michael Shermer for "Big Questions Online"

Shermer compiles the little history of Einstein's treatment of the God question. I'd copy & paste the whole thing, but this site apparently really hates that and blocks that facility. Of course, although Einstein is our iconic genius, his word is not necessarily final, but it has to be interesting.

Einstein's God

The most famous Einstein Pronouncement on God came in the form of a telegram, in which he was asked to answer the question in 50 words or less. He did it in 32: "I believe in Spinoza's God who reveals himself in the lawful harmony of all that exists, but not in a God who concerns himself with the fate and the doings of mankind."

-- Michael Shermer for "Big Questions Online"

Shermer compiles the little history of Einstein's treatment of the God question. I'd copy & paste the whole thing, but this site apparently really hates that and blocks that facility. Of course, although Einstein is our iconic genius, his word is not necessarily final, but it has to be interesting.

Dazzle with Tajazzle

"I'm watching this right now and I swear I thought it was about magic smelling flavored crotch crystals that give you CONFIDENCE and MORE CONFIDENCE. I'll take 3."

"I too flavor and decorate my genitals"

-- YouTube commenters

It's a fifteen-minutes video, but just a few minutes will do you. I mostly skimmed it myself. It's not without some eye candy, but you'd probably burn off a lot of brain cells if you listen to all of it.

Apparenlty, you have to be white, young, moneyed, and hot to be able to get self-confidence with Tajazzle, but do such people really need help with self-confidence?

Dazzle with Tajazzle

"I'm watching this right now and I swear I thought it was about magic smelling flavored crotch crystals that give you CONFIDENCE and MORE CONFIDENCE. I'll take 3."

"I too flavor and decorate my genitals"

-- YouTube commenters

It's a fifteen-minutes video, but just a few minutes will do you. I mostly skimmed it myself. It's not without some eye candy, but you'd probably burn off a lot of brain cells if you listen to all of it.

Apparenlty, you have to be white, young, moneyed, and hot to be able to get self-confidence with Tajazzle, but do such people really need help with self-confidence?