There is a big difference between knowing whether God exists and whether Santa Claus exists.
The biblical prophets and writers made statements like, “The word of the Lord came to me,” “When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him —,” and so on. There was no guesswork or doubt — the writers say God communicated direct with people with knew Him.
But who would claim such personal contact with Santa Claus? For instance, is Santa Claus tall and skinny with long black hair? Does he live at the equator and ride a motorcycle? If these details are not correct, how do we know they're not?
In contrast, the Bible writers and prophets clearly identify God for us. They tell us about Him and how to know Him personally. Jesus said, “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9). Millions have found that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Would anyone rush to claim the same for Santa Claus?
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With analogies like these, it's often all in the wording. Here's my version:
"There is a big difference between knowing whether God exists and whether Santa Claus exists."Right. Even if Santa exists, we know he won't send us to eternal torment.
"The biblical prophets and writers made statements like, “The word of the Lord came to me,” “When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him
,” and so on. There was no guesswork or doubt the writers say God communicated direct with people with knew Him."
First, we don't know if those persons actually existed.
Second, since God doesn't exists, we know that these prophets were either lying sacks of shit or wildly delusional. Either way, what they said is unimportant.
"But who would claim such personal contact with Santa Claus?"
Nobody, because there's nothing in it for such a claimant. Being a prophet in biblical times could be a path to respect. If one was subject to seizures, it could be a path to survival. If people believed you to be channeling God they would let you live, if they thought you were possessed by demons they would kill you.
"For instance, is Santa Claus tall and skinny with long black hair? Does he live at the equator and ride a motorcycle? If these details are not correct, how do we know they're not?"
What's your point? Santa Claus is an imaginary being. To find the "facts" about Santa Claus we can read the fairy tales and fanciful stories about Santa Claus.
"In contrast, the Bible writers and prophets clearly identify God for us. They tell us about Him and how to know Him personally. Jesus said, “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9). Millions have found that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)."
No, not in contrast, but in utter similarity, if wants to find the "facts" about God/Jesus, one can read the fairy tales and fanciful stories in the Bible.
Both Santa and Jesus may be loosely, ever so loosely, based on an actually person, their current stature is overwhelmingly fictional.
"Would anyone rush to claim the same for Santa Claus?"
Why would anyone rush to claim such for any character?
Millions have found that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Would anyone rush to claim the same for Santa Claus?
People in institutions around the world believe they are hearing all kinds of voices. It doesn't make it true. I'll bet you can even find a few who think it's Santa, or god, talking.
Well I used to be one of his elves in a past life, so there's a big fuck you buddy! :D
When I was in my Santa-believing years, I could SWEAR I could hear Santa's rendeer on my roof, and I could SWEAR I saw Rodolph flying away. Now that I'm older, I know I was just hearing random noises, and that the red glow moving quickly across the sky was a plane.
WHAT, you HERETIC!!!
In contrast, the Bible writers and prophets clearly identify God for us. They tell us about Him and how to know Him personally. Jesus said, “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9). He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
How do we know the Bible writers were more truthful than Moore?
Hell, I've seen Santa myself. In every mall I've ever been to between the second week of November, and December 25th. AND he's given me presents.
"There is a big difference between knowing whether God exists and whether Santa Claus exists.
That's because you had been, well, reasonably good all year, Viking!
Is God tall and skinny with long black hair? Does he live at the equator and ride a motorcycle? If these details are not correct, how do we know they're not?
"Tell me, O muse, of that ingenious hero who traveled far and wide after he had sacked the famous town of Troy. Many cities did he visit, and many were the nations with whose manners and customs he was acquainted; moreover he suffered much by sea while trying to save his own life and bring his men safely home; but do what he might he could not save his men, for they perished through their own sheer folly in eating the cattle of the Sun-god Hyperion; so the god prevented them from ever reaching home. Tell me, too, about all these things, O daughter of Jove, from whatsoever source you may know them." - Homer, the Odyssey, Book I
As you see, the Odyssey was born of divine inspiration (and it was a very common introduction in Greek, Hellenistic and Roman literature), the Muses and Greek Mythology are true, and the persecution of Christians was the right thing to do because they were provoking the wrath of the Gods.
I have personally been to Lapland and met Santa, at his workshop. I've seen, with my own eyes, the reindeer.
The nearest I've been to meeting God is a creepy bloke in a dress telling me to ignore the guy behind the curtain.
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
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