I have to say I was relieved to find out Santa was fake. Always thought the idea that a fat man with a long beard sneaking down my chimney was kind of creepy.

I always thought the opposite, that the Santa myth helps condition children to believe in patently absurd things just because lots of people tell them it's real.

I get the logic of the argument, but when I was a little kid, finding out Santa wasn't real didn't shake my faith too much, because as a little kid I just didn't think in big-picture terms, you know? I am an atheist now, but that didn't develop until late highschool, which I think is when a lot of atheists make the switch.

I don't know if this is an Ireland/UK thing, but kids I knew growing up always used to pray to Santa. He was part of Christian religion. When kids admitted they didn't believe in Santa, they stopped getting presents from him, which I think just taught them not to voice doubts.

As for the video, I wasn't aware it was possible to tell if someone writing an email was crying at the time. I have some awkward explanations to send people in my contacts list.

As you watch this, substitute "critical though" for "Santa Claus."

I think figureing out santa is fake is a good experience, I think it contributed towards me figuring out god was fake too. Also I was proud! its a big achievement! when your a kid there is literally a huge conspiracy of lies between all the adults not to let you find out.
I think the santa thing teaches kids to be sceptical, therefore its good!

His big problem with atheists is that they're not willing to accept the biggest double standard presented to christian children. He thinks you're an oblivious child if you still believe in Santa Claus, and an even BIGGER oblivious child if you DON'T believe in another fake bearded guy.

My parents always told me they never let me believe in Santa for this very reason. Unfortunately they let me read the bible and I became one anyway.

This reminds me of a question I asked a five year old:

"You have to be good to get presents from Santa, you have to lose a tooth to get money from the Tooth Fairy, but what do you have to do to get candy from the Easter Bunny?"

She thought about it for a bit and said "You have to wear an Easter Dress!"

If there's one thing we need more of, it's people making videos while driving.