Something I've been pondering about, yet somehow can't fit it into words :-/

['andersom']

If Santa knows if you've been naughty or nice doesn't that equate him to the same ethics, and purposes of God?

There is the requirement of belief. And there is the playing on anxiety that you will be left out when not being good.

And Santa is a saint.

His companion in Europe can be a figure from Germanic mythology, a conquered devilish figure, a former naughty boy, a Moorish warlord; a once threatening force who gave in to the good powers of the Saint, using his power to keep kids in line. So, yes, there is a connection. The Saint is the Christian force that incorpated other forces to enforce the good.

[Jack]

Agreed. And yes, the worst thing Santa does these days is bring coal.

Were his actions against naughty or bad children more severe in the past?

Not that I've ever known or heard.

[Jack]

Agreed. And yes, the worst thing Santa does these days is bring coal.

Were his actions against naughty or bad children more severe in the past?

Not that I've ever known or heard.

Am now remembering, yes, coal and switches.

[Icequeen]

["couldbecousin"]

  ^ This one's called Blue.  She's the beta. 

[Gopher Gary]

 

['andersom']

What is this crap? 

[Gopher Gary]

 

[Queen Victoria]

  ^ This one's called Blue.  She's the beta. 

I was at the Chinese takeout this week.  An older black man came in to pick up his order also.  He sat near me and talked on his phone.  He sounded just like Morgan Freeman.  As he got his order, I said to him:

I hope you don't think this is rude, but you made my heart smile while you were speaking.  Your voice reminded me of Morgan Freeman's.

He broke out into the biggest smile and as he walked away he said into his phone, "Did you hear that?"

Sometimes the smallest thigs scan cheer someone's day.

[Icequeen]

I could listen to Morgan Freeman all day. It's like the voice of calm. 

[Arya Quinn]

Agreed. And yes, the worst thing Santa does these days is bring coal.

Were his actions against naughty or bad children more severe in the past?

In one version of the Krampus story, Santa travelled to Hell, defeated Krampus and enslaved him to punish wicked children.

[Arya Quinn]

Although...

[odeon]

I used this image in a couple of my presentations a few years ago. People always laughed.

[renaeden]

^ It's cool to put funny slides into presentations. Gets the audience laughing and "breaks the ice" so to speak.

Nice to see you Some_Bloke.

[Pyraxis]

In one version of the Krampus story, Santa travelled to Hell, defeated Krampus and enslaved him to punish wicked children.

Santa is a badass.