Santa Clause and Religion

In the name of diversity and inclusivity Girl Guides Canada has decided that girl Guides will no longer participate in Santa Clause parades.  Read another way, The only way to ensure religious freedom of minority religions is to punish the majority Christian religion.  But considering that Santa Clause himself and Christmas, as is generally celebrated, is as close to nondenominational in spirit as is rational. Santa Clause is for children, and about children The irrationality of denying children the one symbol of childhood that belongs solely to the children is clear.  Santa Claus has only partial Christian roots.  Even Christian religions denounce both Santa Clause and Christmas. The strongest connections are with Saint Nicholas’s, connection to high churches who practice the veneration of him, in addition to other saints. But, Santa Clause has also been the focus of controversy over the holiday and its meanings. A number of denominations of Christians voice strong concerns about Santa Claus, which range from grudging acceptance to denouncement. Some Christians, particularly Calvinists  disliked the idea of Santa Claus, as well as Christmas in general.

Inclusivity

As a Canadian, I feel strongly about Canada’s multicultural makeup.  But when Inclusivity automatically excludes a very large group, then the system is wrong.  Girl Guides Canada would be much better served to make it policy to celebrate the religious days of every religion represented in a local girl guide group.  This would provide girls with knowledge about other religions and cultures and promote tolerance.

I once visited a factory where once a month, they had a day when everyone participated in a pot luck lunch.  The general manager said to me “Its hard to dislike someone after you have tried their food.”

Religion is the same.  The more we understand the religions of others, the better we can accept and welcome those people into our society

If Girl Guides Canada are serious about Inclusivity, then they should be inclusive and not start of by excluding a large constituent group. There position seems to be that it is alright to deny a large portion of their membership as long as you don’t upset some small portion.  Their plan is not going to age well.  A loss of membership from their Santa Clause loving base will have a much more devastating effect than what they may lose otherwise.  Its true that individual girls can still watch the Santa Clause Parade without participating.  But it is also true that those with religious beliefs that don’t recognise Santa Clause can simply not participate