Georgia Church Posts Message Saying ‘Santa Is Satan’

Born Again Independent Baptist Church of Harlem, Georgia has posted a message on its church sign reading “Santa is Satan” for the 2014 Christmas season. The message sparked local and national debate, reflecting the church’s stance on cultural traditions during the holiday.

The decision to display the message was made by the congregation, according to Pastor Edward Carothers. He explained that the church felt burdened by what he described as a “false deity” taking over the Christmas season. Carothers noted a decline in nativity scenes and an increase in Santa-related celebrations, which he viewed as a shift away from the true meaning of Christmas.

Carothers expressed concerns about the American cultural fascination with Santa Claus, which he likened to idolatry. He argued that secular culture was crafting Santa as a false god with attributes similar to Jesus Christ. Carothers cited a 1996 work by James L. Melton, “Santa Claus and Satan’s Cause,” which suggested that Santa was being used as a counterfeit deity.

Melton’s book warned against glorifying Santa by attributing the qualities of Jesus to him. The author urged Christians to teach their children the truth about Jesus Christ and His saving grace, rather than promoting a secular figure as a substitute.

Local residents in Harlem expressed mixed reactions to the church’s message. Some found the sign “absolutely ridiculous,” with one parent worried about how it might affect his young child’s understanding of Santa. Others, like Carrel Davis of the nearby Harlem United Methodist Church, viewed the message as creating a “wedge” between the church and the community.

Davis pointed out that there is no biblical commandment against believing in Santa, and he questioned the potential harm of the message to children. He emphasized that teaching children about Santa’s role, such as bringing gifts, does not equate to idolatry.

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