"Well, Ed, I recall being terrified that Santa wouldn't come if I was naughty. Poor message there I reckon".

Are you now naughty? If not, it sounds like it was a good message IMO. Did you also have a fear that God would not be with you, if you were naughty? If so, I suspect you also got over that as you grew up.

"Unlike the God delusion, we're allowed to grow out of the Santa delusion without penalty as we grow up".

Are not atheists, or other alternative believing or non believing folks, not "allowed" to grow out of this so called delusion without penalty?

IMO, folks are pretty much free to chosse whatever delusion they wish to choose. My son says he is an atheist, and I have not seen or heard of any penalty imposed on him by anyone.

If not, what is this penalty you speak of? (Outside, of being a member of a church, which I suspect believing would likely be a criteria for membership (even there, with most churches, one could likely attend without penalty). What penality was imposed on you, when you "grew up", and out of what you call the "God delusion" (I not you still capitalize God, could that be the penalty, old habits?
:)