WHY ARE YOU HERE?????????

That's because you can prove Santa is not real and the real person that began the tradition is long dead. There's nothing to debate about that. The existence of God and a person's reasoning for following him and believing in him are two of the most arguable topics known to man. And while a non believer may not be here to learn IF a god exists, that doesn't mean they're not here to learn why anyone would be so convinced that Christianity is the truth, why people feel they need for there to be a god in order to give life meaning, or even their reasoning for following the moral standards that they do (assuming they have any other reason other than "Because God told me to.").

Our reasons for being here and the things we wish to learn or understand may not be as simplistic as what you seem to assume. While there will always be trolls, some of us really do come in peace.

It's worth keeping in mind too that Santa Clause doesn't have followers on our campuses, along the roads we drive to work, in our legislatures, who are trying to get us to live as Santa Clause desires. Santa Clause didn't weigh in on any recent abortion debates, no marriage-protection laws have been passed in his name and with his apparent blessing, etc.

Even if we assume Christianity is all wrong and none of the Trinity exists, the idea of the Christian God exerts an influence that requires a response.

I realize now it's Claus, not Clause, but as an English-speaking person I have difficulty leaving the word as it looks.

this is such an odd post.

That is because you already know most everything about Santa Claus. Also, no one believes in Santa after they are about 10. Millions of people believe in God until they die. I want to know why this is.

"BECAUSE HE IS REAL"

Everyone eventually learns the truth about Santa - the evidence of which rests in the testimony of others who know the truth.

God reveals Himself to those who diligently and earnestly look for Him - the evidence of which rests in the whole creation (which He made) - and in the testimony of others who know the truth.

If you will search Him out - with the right 'attitude' of reverence and respect for who He is (i.e., if you will approach Him in a way that He finds acceptable) - He will reveal Himself to you!

I recommend - first and foremost - that you get a good 'Authorized King James' Bible and read it. Next to that, go to 'grasptruth.org', click on 'links', click on the 'Creation Science Evangelism' link, and watch the siminar videos (in order). It is long, but I promise you it is well worth it!

Since I'm not one for debating really I kind of skipped reading most of the replies in this thread but I still want to put in my 2 cents...
Why not let non-believers/non-Christians (whatever they may want to lable themselves as) visit these forums as they please? God wants us to welcome people. Mabey they might see the positive influence of Christians and learn from them or even just learn a simple life lesson for a situation in their life that they are dealing with right now. Now, if there are people on this website only to make fun of or annoy people, ignore them. DON'T encourage their behavior. Like Relena mentioned, CC does a good job banning those people. Again, I'm sorry if I'm crowding this thread if someone else mentioned my thoughts alreads.
God Bless <3 And let us not to forget to be welcoming to others so that we can be examples for Christ ^_^

To make you ask questions

So in other words you're going to oppose something without first learning anything about the thing you're opposing? Different strokes I guess. I personally like to have an educated reason for why I do/don't believe in or agree with something.

cuz God is real and Santa is not.

take it as a search for knowledge. some people learn about other religions to better understand how the philosophy and thinking affects people who hold to that doctrine.

Politicians and Media people spend thousands on surveys and other methods of predicting public opinion in order to see what kind of spin they need to use to get the masses to buy into a certain politician or product.

Some people come on this site to learn how a Christian mindset would view events and make predictions about likely reactions to their words and actions through a media that does not have direct consequences in their everyday lives.

Occassionally a few may come to know Christ but until that happens it is an mental exercise. I used to play at it when I was in high school with my Christian friends to see if they could logically defend their religious positions.

you never know when God will use your words to touch someone's heart with His gospel. if we only talked to CHristians all the time, what good would that do?

Jesus told us to love those who would despise and ridicule us.

(please excuse my typos and grammar, too lazy and late at night to fix them in the five minute time span)

*puts head in hands*
oh boy... here we go again...

Yes - 'late at night' can do that to you...

I thought we were supposed to do that before we clicked on 'Submit Reply'...

I'm an atheist. I came here because I actively seek out opinions that I don't share, in order to try and understand people with whom I disagree. I have no interest in undermining someone else's faith. I do ask questions, and will, and I hope to do so in a respectful manner.

I help moderate a freethought site. I'm here to understand modern currents in Christian thought, and hopefully contribute to interesting exchanges, and the site in general. I'm pretty good with history, science, and music, and will be happy to help anyone with any questions about that stuff ... or anything else I can answer.

Well thank you for giving us that information about yourself. The reason you are having a hard time understanding why others would is because your projecting your own disinterest in the cultures and worldviews other than one's own onto others. I have learned a lot from being here beyond just learning concepts that I don't accept as true based on the evidence. Through understand the Christian message I have been able to enjoy, understand, and respect a lot more artwork that has been made throughout the centuries.

I've visited Buddhist temples before as well. Some lovely ideas they have, though a lot of it is plagued with unsubstantiated claims.

As another explanation of why I'm here... An old friend from school adds me a couple of days ago. I never add anybody - I'm an introvert. She'd found Jesus recently, after her husband died young.

She begins spamming my page with quotes about gay marriage, how f*gs are going to hell, how Jesus can save us, how we need to repent, etc. Today, when I drop into chat, they're laughing about the word "gay."

The idea that Christians are off quietly practicing their faith in a corner is a joke. True, I wouldn't have to see what goes on here, but the cup runneth over, and we can't simply avoid y'all. Sometimes, you have to directly address it.

Alternatively, they're filling up our mailboxes with unsolicited advertisements, mess with us while we're at work...

I mean, let me get this straight - are you saying that there aren't any people out there with a valid bone to pick with bad Christians?