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Christmas is upon us again and the inevitable conversations between those with younger children arise about the belief in Santa. Recently, an article by a couple of psychologists has been floating around the social platforms about the potential damage that could be done to the parent/child relationship through the perpetuation of a lie and the inevitable shattering of the belief they created in their child. It reminded me of a picture I had made a couple years back:

Basically, as age increases, confirming information decreases (parents reduce support)  and more contradicting information enters the environment (Santa looks like grandpa, his beard is obviously fake, peer group shifts etc). This contradictory information raises questions that chip away at the belief until a level of understanding is reached that exposes the lie. At that point, the belief is gone, unlikely to ever return. (Imagine what it would actually take for an ex-believer to start believing in Santa again. It would have to be some pretty extraordinary new evidence to cause a reversal).

Now, for some background, I wasn't raised to believe in Santa yet, still managed to decorate a Christmas tree, eat good food with family and friends and get and give a couple of presents. It was enjoyable. I was also told early on that some children are taught to believe in Santa, so don't ruin it for them. This was acceptable to me at the time. The only time it felt weird was at school having to write a letter to an imaginary person asking for gifts. It seemed ridiculous, but that was the task (Interestingly to me, this is in the same place that is tasked with providing the background knowledge for future employment).

I still think that people are able to believe what they want but as an adult speaking with adults, I think it is also important to question beliefs to the point that they are proven as fact or fiction. Believing in gravity does not have an effect on it and not believing in it does not mean it won't have an effect on you. But, I do recommend investigating and running tests if still uncertain. Testing is especially important for beliefs held since childhood (as these were entered into with the knowledge and capacity of a child), or instilled by others (as everyone has their personal biases that can manipulate the information they provide).

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Some people challenge that these childhood beliefs help develop an imagination though I am not sure that is a solid argument. Imagination is a creative process where one takes what one knows and connects and combines it into something different, something new or, simulates something that doesn't exist or is not currently available to get a better understanding. It is a mental simulation of what is not. Some of these mental creations may even have the technical gaps closed until they actually exist, many may only be possible in fantasy and others yet might never want to be made a reality even if they are possible. A belief on the other hand, is accepting that something exists or is true without evidence. A belief changes behavioural actions on poor information, or at the very least, limited information.

In the case of Santa, which is a cultural belief, it is not born within the imagination of the child, it is installed from an external creation of culture and tradition and the child acts as if it is true. As evidence, parents may use the threat of 'behave or Santa won't visit' and many children will alter their behaviour, not wanting to miss out on Santa (or more likely the presents they think he delivers). This is also indicative of how belief systems and the demands of others can be combined to manipulate and elicit behavioural changes. Belief systems tend to be very strong control mechanisms and can create a wide range of behaviours from the benign to the terrible. Not only in children.

And this is why beliefs should be discussed, investigated, prodded and tested. Not just the beliefs of those that differ from our own, but all beliefs including our own. This will inevitably lead to discomfort and disagreements but before resorting to negative behaviours, each party should have to bring definitive proof that their belief is true (or the other not). This will actually speed up the search for truth as both sides will be investigating opposite sides of the coin. Once definitive proof is presented however, the likelihood of one side giving up their belief in favour of the truth is high (like a long gone, non-germ-believing doctor seeing germs move through a microscope for the first time). Any continued believing or aggression based on the disproved position beyond that point must be done with the active denial of evidence. Not a great position to be in.

If no proof can be found it doesn't mean the belief is necessarily incorrect *(the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence)* but, acting as if it 'does' exist without evidence may be, especially if it involves the harming of others. This search for proof can continue for generations or may indeed never end but while the search continues, there need be no more aggression than the clash of minds questioning each other and asking for better evidence. Of course, this will only work if those involved are actually interested in finding the truth. Many are not because it may mean admitting they are wrong.

Personally, I don't mind (as painful as it can be) being proven wrong even though I will attempt to argue my stance. But, I don't want to be convinced of a truth, I want it proven to me. In a world where there is a constant barrage of metric-driven, influential and charismatic people claiming truths, attacks on those who are different, false news stories disguised as fact and extremist views of all kinds attracting believers and followers, it is vitally important for the future of communities at the global and local levels to question their current positions and ask if where they stand on a particular point is the end of the question, the start or somewhere in between. If there is no definitive answer, there is room for more questions to be raised and investigated.

Be curious. Question it all. Look behind the beard.

Taraz
[ a non-Steemit original ]

*Note: This was originally written as a post for my company blog.*