Pascal's Wager as Applied to Santa Claus

So we've had our first crisis of faith in our household.  Thing One no longer believes in Santa.

Now, he has not done what I did, which is find the presents in the basement as a form of proof.  Like a Galapagos tortoise, except in an Amazon.com box.

No, I think he's gotten there from friends at school and a growing sense of skepticism about things like flying reindeer.  I swear, the kid gets more cynical and sarcastic every day.  Where does he get that from?

The problem is that Thing Two still believes in Santa.  In fact, now that I am done with my "work" I get to spend a relaxing day as follows:
11am, Cub Scout assault on the police station.
1pm Party at the YMCA pool, leave early to get to
3pm Santa arrival in the faculty room

Somewhere in there is a Happy Meal in all likelihood.

So he wants to leave the pool party to see Santa, which is sweet.  And he's sweet, so that's great.

But like some sort of elementary school Christopher Hitchens, Thing One is proselytizing his Santa agnosticism.  The missus created this neat Santa video where Santa points out all the (very specific) things in the kid's life and tells them to be good.  Thing One immediately launched into conspiracy theories.  It was done by the school where we work, by the town, by the CIA and the mob working with Cubans on the Grassy Knoll.

So we had to take Thing One aside and explain that whether he believes in Santa or not, he can't go around poking holes in his brother's faith that a large man breaks into your home and gives you gifts.

In desperation, we pointed out that if there was no Santa - and we are not admitting that there isn't - then WE must be the ones keeping the naughty and nice list.  So be careful, buster!  Either the fat man at the North Pole or the fat man in the living room will get you!

In fact, the Missus already has some coal to put in Thing One's stocking.

The thing is, third grade seems about right to stop believing in Santa.  But let the younger ones acquire their skepticism naturally.  Don't force it on them prematurely.  Otherwise they risk become part of the Cult of the Cool.

And those guys are assholes.