Poll: In a changing nation, Santa endures - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

theshark8777 · 12-23-2006, 12:02 PM

WASHINGTON - Santa has lots going against him — school-yard rumors, older brothers who think they know the deal and tattle to the young ones, errant price tags, the tell-all Internet and so many Made in China labels it seems the North Pole has outsourced to Asia.

Humbuggers everywhere. But no worries. It’s a wonderful life for Santa.

An AP-AOL News poll finds him to be an enduring giant in the lives of Americans.

Fully 86 percent in the poll believed in Santa as a child. And despite the multiethnic nature of the country, more than 60 percent of those with children at home consider Santa important in their holiday celebrations now.

That’s an approval rating President Bush and most in Congress could only dream about these days. (If Santa were a politician, Catholics and the nonreligious would be his base.)

Among the findings:

* Santa is important to 60 percent of Catholics, 51 percent of those without a religious affiliation and 47 percent of Protestants, when households both with and without children are surveyed.
* Nearly half, 47 percent, said Santa detracts from the religious significance of Christmas; over one-third, 36 percent, said he enhances the religious nature of the holiday.
* 91 percent of whites believed in Santa as a child; 72 percent of minorities did. One quarter of those now living in households with incomes under $25,000 did not believe in Santa.
* An overwhelming majority, across nearly all backgrounds and religious beliefs, say they believe in angels — 86 percent. Belief in angels is shared by 57 percent of those who say they have no religious affiliation. Nearly all white evangelical Christians, 97 percent, share this belief.

Somehow, the tradition has survived all that challenges tradition.

Corolla · 12-23-2006, 12:24 PM

I remember the day I found out there was really no Santa...

FOLrocks1 · 12-23-2006, 01:15 PM

That's good news. Believing in Santa was so much fun and every child should get to have that memory.

Lex Luthor · 12-23-2006, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOLrocks1

That's good news. Believing in Santa was so much fun and every child should get to have that memory.

I think this might be that last year for my nephew (10) last year he was so excited he could not get to sleep but he was so worried that if he didn't Santa would not come. Seeing kids at Christmas the excitement and joy is one of my favorite parts of the Holiday

Courtnee · 12-23-2006, 02:48 PM

I miss Santa.

I would give anything to be 5 again.

Corolla · 12-23-2006, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOLrocks1

That's good news. Believing in Santa was so much fun and every child should get to have that memory.

Yeah, and then when you are trying to figure out if Santa is real or not... I remember asking my friends and debating about it.

tdf4077 · 12-23-2006, 06:15 PM

Well, read my response to the Christmas Survey and you'll see that I found out the truth at a pretty young age. For some reason, this year more than any other, I'm kinda realizing how much I miss the magic of Christmas....I'm just not feeling it this year at all and I really, really miss it

12-23-2006, 12:02 PM	#1
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	Poll: In a changing nation, Santa endures WASHINGTON - Santa has lots going against him — school-yard rumors, older brothers who think they know the deal and tattle to the young ones, errant price tags, the tell-all Internet and so many Made in China labels it seems the North Pole has outsourced to Asia. Humbuggers everywhere. But no worries. It’s a wonderful life for Santa. An AP-AOL News poll finds him to be an enduring giant in the lives of Americans. Fully 86 percent in the poll believed in Santa as a child. And despite the multiethnic nature of the country, more than 60 percent of those with children at home consider Santa important in their holiday celebrations now. That’s an approval rating President Bush and most in Congress could only dream about these days. (If Santa were a politician, Catholics and the nonreligious would be his base.) Among the findings: * Santa is important to 60 percent of Catholics, 51 percent of those without a religious affiliation and 47 percent of Protestants, when households both with and without children are surveyed. * Nearly half, 47 percent, said Santa detracts from the religious significance of Christmas; over one-third, 36 percent, said he enhances the religious nature of the holiday. * 91 percent of whites believed in Santa as a child; 72 percent of minorities did. One quarter of those now living in households with incomes under $25,000 did not believe in Santa. * An overwhelming majority, across nearly all backgrounds and religious beliefs, say they believe in angels — 86 percent. Belief in angels is shared by 57 percent of those who say they have no religious affiliation. Nearly all white evangelical Christians, 97 percent, share this belief. Somehow, the tradition has survived all that challenges tradition.
	__________________ Who ate all the pecan Sandies??

12-23-2006, 01:15 PM	#3
FOLrocks1 My favorite ladies! Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 09, 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,103	That's good news. Believing in Santa was so much fun and every child should get to have that memory.
	__________________ THE GOLDEN GIRLS! Sophia: (to Blanche) Fasten your seatbelt, slut puppie. This ain't gunna be no cakewalk. Blanche: I don't really mind Clayton being homosexual, I just don't like him dating men. Dorothy: You really haven't grasped the concept of this gay thing yet, have you? Blanche: There must be homosexuals who date women. Sophia: Yeah, they're called lesbians. JACOB

12-23-2006, 02:48 PM	#5
Courtnee MAN VS SAMMICH. Forum Star Join Date: Mar 23, 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 16,413	I miss Santa. I would give anything to be 5 again.
	__________________ Whether I'm the rose of sheer perfection A freckle on the nose of life's complexion The Cinderella or the shine apple of its eye I gotta fly once, I gotta try once, Only can die once, right, sir? Ooh, life is juicy, juicy and you see, I gotta have my bite, sir. Get ready for me love, 'cause I'm a "comer" I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer Don't bring around the cloud to rain on my parade

12-23-2006, 06:15 PM	#7
tdf4077 JaJa Senior Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,678	Well, read my response to the Christmas Survey and you'll see that I found out the truth at a pretty young age. For some reason, this year more than any other, I'm kinda realizing how much I miss the magic of Christmas....I'm just not feeling it this year at all and I really, really miss it
	__________________ CSC--The Best Cycling Team in the World!!

12-23-2006, 12:24 PM	#2
Corolla Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 21, 2006 Location: Owen Sound, ON Posts: 2,376	I remember the day I found out there was really no Santa...