The Trouble With Christmas: Tom Flynn's Critique of the Holiday
For many, the December holiday season is a time of tradition and joy. However, author and folklorist Tom Flynn offers a provocative counter-narrative in his work, The Trouble With Christmas. Writing from an atheist perspective, Flynn examines the cultural and psychological impact of the holiday, challenging the norms of both religious and secular celebrations.
The book originated from a 1992 column in the Secular Humanist Bulletin. The essay sparked significant national interest, leading to over twenty local and national radio reports during that year's holiday season. This surge in publicity eventually led Prometheus Books to offer Flynn a contract to expand his ideas into a full-length book.
Key Facts
- Core Argument: The Santa Claus myth can be harmful to child development.
- Advocacy: Flynn encourages atheists and secular humanists to be more visible and refuse certain holiday celebrations.
- Media Presence: In 1994, Flynn was the sole non-Greek Orthodox priest expert featured in A&E Network's first Biography segment on Santa Claus.
- Retail Shift: The transition from "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays" is attributed to retailers recognizing a diverse, non-Christian consumer base.
- Personal Stance: Flynn stopped celebrating the holiday in 1984, citing societal pressure and arrogance in the promotion of the event.
The Debate Over the Santa Claus Myth
One of the most contentious points in Flynn's work is the impact of the Santa Claus myth on children. Flynn argues that immersing children in this myth early in life predisposes them to accept absurd religious teachings as they grow older.
This perspective was highlighted in a 2007 point-counterpoint debate published in Parenting Beyond Belief: on Raising Ethical, Caring Kids Without Religion, a handbook by editor Dale McGowan. While Flynn viewed the myth as a gateway to accepting dogma, McGowan argued the opposite: that discovering the Santa myth is untrue actually prepares children to reject religious dogmas later in life. Despite their disagreement, both authors agreed that the child-development community needs to conduct further research on the subject.
Cultural Dominance and the "War on Christmas"
Flynn has also addressed the modern discourse surrounding the so-called "War on Christmas." In discussions with Robert M. Price on Point of Inquiry, Flynn suggested that the shift in retail language is driven by economics rather than ideology. He noted that retailers discovered a significant number of people with spending power who are not Christians, leading to the more inclusive "Happy Holidays" greeting.
Flynn contends that as the cultural dominance of Christianity declines, there will be a greater openness toward those who spend December 25th engaging in different activities. He emphasizes that his goal is not to express hatred for Christmas, but to encourage the Christian majority to "live and let live," reducing the pressure on non-believers to pay lip-service to a sectarian holiday.
| Perspective | View on Santa Claus Myth | Predicted Outcome for Children |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Flynn | Harmful immersion | Increased acceptance of absurd religious teachings |
| Dale McGowan | Learning tool for truth | Increased ability to reject religious dogmas |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tom Flynn's primary concern regarding Santa Claus?
Flynn argues that the Santa Claus myth is harmful to child development because it may predispose children to accept unfounded or absurd religious claims later in life.
Why did retailers switch from "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays"?
According to Flynn, retailers recognized a growing religious diversity among consumers and realized there were many non-Christian customers with money to spend.
Does Tom Flynn hate Christmas?
No. Flynn has stated that he does not hate the holiday, but he stopped celebrating it in 1984 due to the societal pressure and arrogance he perceived in its promotion.
How did the book "The Trouble With Christmas" come to be written?
The book grew out of a 1992 column in the Secular Humanist Bulletin, which received extensive radio coverage and attracted the attention of Prometheus Books.
What is Flynn's goal for the Christian majority?
Flynn hopes to raise consciousness and persuade the Christian majority to "live and let live," allowing those who do not celebrate the holiday to do so without pressure.