There’s been a recent study that today’s teenagers believe in God but not in a true Christianity sense but rather with a religion of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. That is, that God exists but remains separated from our world and doesn’t care about our day to day interactions very much (Deism). He really wants us to be happy, rich, and live comfortable lives without pain, poverty, suffering, or inconvenience. He is simply loving and wants to give everyone a big hug (Therapeutic). Finally, he would really like us to be decent people: people who don’t murder or rape, people who give blood, people who sign the line saying they’ll donate organs on their driver’s license, people who aren’t racist or sexist, people who buy (RED) and put “Free the Dalit” bumper stickers on their Prius, and on the moralism goes.
This is all very sad. Recently I was thinking about the person of Santa Claus and his place in our culture, and humorously remarked recently that he is the perfect Moralistic Therapeutic Deity. He remains separated from our lives in general, only arriving once a year. He really wants everyone to be jolly and have lots of happiness at Christmas by giving us material gifts. He is round and laughs a lot in a jovial lifestyle. Finally, his whole love of people is hinging upon the recipient being naughty or nice. Its flat out moralism. Be good and you’ll get toys. Be bad and you’ll get nothing (or worse).
I’ve thought a lot about whether I’ll tell my children about Santa. I think some belief in a supernatural is a healthy thing. I don’t think skepticism and rationalism are healthy to cultivate from an early age. However, I’m beginning to have misgivings about the whole thing being an excuse to get kids to be good. I’m not sure moralism is the answer to bring therapy to our lives being lived apart from God. Lets make the God who literally, actually came to us to bring the ultimate therapy so we wouldn’t have to be moralists the centerpiece this Christmas.
I will often, at Christmastime, tell people about the real Saint Nicolaus who saved an impovershed man’s three daughters from slavery by supplying a dowry, tossing a purse of gold coins in the window onto the hearth. In imitation of Christ he purchased their freedom. Lived in Asia Minor and helped to write the Nicene Creed, which contains a basic Gospel. “What did Santa really believe?” It’s one of the creeds with somewhat broad acceptance among denominations, I think.
I just read your paper on Psalm 117. It was very good, helpful to me. Thanks!