GLENDALE, CA—A local mall Santa, played by David Carter, has been arrested after punching a shopper who offhandedly denied the divinity of Christ, sources at Westerfield Mall confirmed Tuesday.

The man reportedly used the name of Christ in vain, prompting Santa to warn him not to use God's name that way. When the man scoffed and replied that Jesus Christ was created by God the Father at some point in the past and was not eternal, Carter became enraged and punched the man "right in the nose."

"We won't stand for Arianism in this establishment," he growled as the terrified man fled the scene. He turned his attention back to the frightened child sitting on his lap. "Now, what do you want for Christmas, little boy?" 

The boy responded that he just didn't want to get punched in the face, according to sources, a request the Santa was more than willing to grant, so long as the child affirmed the divine equality of the Son with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Carter is being held on bail.