Don’t question the myth
First Coast News reports an art student’s billboard project questioning the existence of Santa was pulled by the advertising company he hired when the project got negative media attention.
The project decried consumerism and said, “Stop lying to your children about Santa Claus” but garnered a storm of criticism.
I get it now: if you can’t even publically question a myth that every adult agrees is false, no wonder you get in so much trouble for questioning other myths that people claim to believe in, like an invisible sky-god who watches every move we make.
True, millions of people say they believe in god, but do they really? To question that myth publically makes you a pariah, making it less likely anyone will question it privately.
Funny how the god we profess has so much to do with where we’re born. But we can’t question any myths, can we?
FIRST COAST NEWS: Billboard questioning Santa’s existence is scrapped
LONDON (AP)—Perhaps the elves put a curse on it. An art exhibition that questioned the existence of Santa Claus has been scrapped at the last minute, its British creator said Friday.
In an attempt to highlight the evils of consumerism, Glasgow School of Art student Darren Cullen had been planning to unveil an advertising billboard in the city Friday featuring the slogans
“Stop Lying To Your Children About Santa Claus” and “Santa Gives More To Rich Kids Than Poor Kids.”
But Maiden Outdoor, which owns the billboard, vetoed it after the plan generated media interest.
“The company was contacted by a newspaper, and I think they felt it was too contentious a theme,” Cullen said.
“I am disappointed, but I am going to be contacting other companies to see if they can help. I hope to get the project up and running some time soon.”
Cullen, who is in the final year of study, denied he was trying to ruin the magic of Christmas.
“Santa Claus is a lie that teaches kids that products will make them happy,” he said.
“Before they’re old enough to think for themselves, the story of Santa has already got them hooked on consumerism. I think that’s more immoral than this billboard.”
The billboard is part of a public art project that students are required to do each year.
It is not the first time that Cullen has featured Father Christmas.
His portfolio includes a drawing of Santa saying “I killed Jesus” as well as posters and stickers telling parents: “Stop lying to your children about Santa Claus.”
“Our students work with public spaces and unconventional sites as a means of creating dialogue about the things that matter to them and to all of us,” said Tanya Eccleston, head of
environmental art and sculpture at Glasgow School of Art.
This reminds me of the song “Flat Earth Society” by Bad Religion:
“The flat earth society is meeting here today,
Singing happy little lies
And the bright ship humana is sent far away
With grave determination….
And no destination, lie, lie, lie”
Hi, my ears were burning on google and I found your site. That was me with the billboard. It’s true what you say about myths.
But all it takes is for one person to tell the truth in the face of a massive lie, for that lie to be cast into doubt. Like George Orwell says: “In a time of universal deciet, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.” I thought it was interesting that in this case telling the truth was such an immoral thing to do, but there are paralells, oh there are paralells. Anyway, cheers for the support. The whole anti-Santa project is online at: http://www.spellingmistakescostlives.com/santa
Cheers!
Well, it happened to me, I was getting some advice for my wifes vehicle (a paid for beater like your van DOF) at a house where a bible study was about to take place and got invited to sit in.
I did and afterward, I expressed how I sometimes question Gods “existence”, how I wanted diffinitive evidence, well a few days later I heard that I’ve been branded an atheist. Boy people are sure quick
to judge.
A few of the so-called stars or celebrities seek comfort or spirituality in eastern religions mainly because it gives them the privilege of morality without having God.
As for me, I serve a living God. They would find more joy and peace knowing and accepting Y’Shua (Jesus Christ) than any other mere spiritual endeavor. Christ is the way, the truth and the life. And I feel as Joshua did, when he said, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Make Jesus your Lord and Savior. Profess your belief in Him (Holy, devine…fully God, fully man) and confess your sins to Him. By simply asking, He will forgive you of all your wickedness. After all, sin was the thing which separated you from Him. By His grace and mercy he will enter into your heart and change your life. You will again be born anew in the spirit and be trully called a child of God. You will have eternal life through Christ. When you seek Jesus, you will find that He has been looking for you also.
WHy do we parents pretend to be santa. I mean we always say we don’t lie but we are liying about santa! I think 1 guy in each town should be santa so we can stop lying. your kids need to know sometimes. and when i found out i was very mad at my parents
My parents lied to me about Santa and about god, but I never believed either lie.
They were products of their society, and I was a product of my intellect.
They taught me to think, and then were rather resentful when I did…. go figger.