Editor:

I am writing in response to Steven Paradise’s letter to the editor (“Lying to children weakens their faith,” Dec. 2).

Let’s see if I understand the issue correctly: It’s wrong to teach children of a mythical figure that watches over us and our children and rewards us/them for good behavior, since it is difficult to prove that such a being exists, based upon the improbabilities of this person being able to perform such “miracles” as sliding down a chimney, delivering gifts, etc.

Yet it’s OK to teach our children of a mythical figure that watches over us and our children and rewards us/them for good behavior based on stories of virgin births, burning bushes, demons appearing as serpents, water turning to wine and walking on water? And to teach our children to celebrate this figure’s birthday near the Winter Solstice rather than a more historically correct springtime date?

Hmm, it kind of all just seems to be about cultural traditions and myths, and the true importance of these myths is not in their objective reality but rather the transcendent and symbolic meaning that societies share about their core values and beliefs and place in the cosmos.

James Mellor

Junior, Communication