Angry upvote. I've been holding onto the interpretation that Santa was an asshole for knowing nasty shit was going down under his nose, but not doing anything about it until there was something in it for him.
So I'd like to add to the chorus of those who appreciate this wholesome take.
(Santa's still a cunt though 😜 )
why? because power and influence.
All religions are a business that sell fear to their victims. One of the greatest fears of an individual is disappointing other people - we are social animals after all. So how great a fear it must be to face being shunned by your fellow church members if you dare to speak up against the business.
Some disclosure - raised as a catholic. Walked away from it all in my 20s after one too many sermons talking about how much money the church had been making. That, and as a middle school child having to suffer attending the funeral of a paedophile teacher at my catholic school. The piece of shit had a reputation but the church protected him.
Out of all that I try (and constantly fail) to live by one phrase of Jesus: Love one another as I have loved you. Hell you can even drop the "...as I have loved you." You don't even need to believe in God to live by those words.