We tell children lots of stories. When children are small, they will believe anything they are told. As they grow, they start to understand that some stories are fact, some are fiction, and some are simplifications of true events.
To avoid lieing to a child would be to avoid telling any stories, because they don't yet have the ability to tell the difference between fact and fiction. However, most of the stories we tell children serve a useful purpose. The story of Santa Claus teaches children the link between good behaviour and the approval of wider society.
All the major religions recognise this, and delay integration into the faith until children reach an age where they can understand what is true.
We tell children lots of stories. When children are small, they will believe anything they are told. As they grow, they start to understand that some stories are fact, some are fiction, and some are simplifications of true events.
To avoid lieing to a child would be to avoid telling any stories, because they don't yet have the ability to tell the difference between fact and fiction. However, most of the stories we tell children serve a useful purpose. The story of Santa Claus teaches children the link between good behaviour and the approval of wider society.
All the major religions recognise this, and delay integration into the faith until children reach an age where they can understand what is true.
--nigel
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