(September 20, 2011 at 12:57 pm)xxxtobymac Wrote: How as a society can we lie to our children and then turn around and get upset about when the lie to us. This is I think one of major reasons of my decline in my faith. And yet this still goes on, they teach creationism in my son's science class. an unproven idea and it's not even science why is it in a science class. With being a former theist, I yes lied to my son about the supernatural, and in hindsight I feel ashamed and guilty about it. Letting my son believe in God, the easter bunny, santa clause, tooth fairy like they were living entities but screw humpty dumpty. I'm sorry but looking at in now from a free mind that is child abuse at a sick level.
A black and white world will never exist, so lying has 'levels'. If one is to teach or allow lying, then one must define the 'line'. Where is the breakover from 'justified' to 'unjustified'. This problem is not unique. It applies from morals to murder.
One has to deal with peer pressures. It is OK to allow children fantasies for childhood is short and life will come around and smack them in the face soon enough. A rationalization between 'good' lies and 'bad' lies might be to differentiate using story vs. lie.
When the children are old enough, you could tell them the truth and explain your reason for telling them a 'story' and that lying is still bad, but 'stories' are OK. Stories help people feel better, lies are deceitful and hurt people or make them feel bad.
You make people miserable and there's nothing they can do about it, just like god.
-- Homer Simpson
God has no place within these walls, just as facts have no place within organized religion.
-- Superintendent Chalmers
Science is like a blabbermouth who ruins a movie by telling you how it ends. There are some things we don't want to know. Important things.
-- Ned Flanders
Once something's been approved by the government, it's no longer immoral.
-- The Rev Lovejoy
-- Homer Simpson
God has no place within these walls, just as facts have no place within organized religion.
-- Superintendent Chalmers
Science is like a blabbermouth who ruins a movie by telling you how it ends. There are some things we don't want to know. Important things.
-- Ned Flanders
Once something's been approved by the government, it's no longer immoral.
-- The Rev Lovejoy
