Dear Editor: Lying

Dear Editor,

This may be controversial. This might cause a bit of a stir. It could even be esteemed to be a bit negative; but when, if ever, is it okay to lie? Much less, to our kids?

For example, one of our kids comes up to us, asking what we think of their artwork. If it’s poorly done and even ugly as sin, do we lie and tell them what a beautiful picture it is? Sure, it might boost their psyche for the moment, but what happens when one of their peers, who are usually more brutally honest than most adults, tells them it sucks? They come crying back to you, and what do you say? You already told them it’s great! You almost have no real choice now but to perpetuate the lie, telling them how awesome it is and that their peers are just stupid and tasteless, right?

“Ho, Ho, Ho! ‘Tis the Season!” The Season is upon us when many well-meaning parents perpetuate the Christmas Lie, the Myth of Santa! Trying to keep the Magick in Christmas is not a bad thing. In fact, it is a most worthy endeavor However, if we have to perpetuate a lie, no matter how “good” or “white” it might be, to do so, is it really worth it? Is it still truly Magick, or is it just something that we’ll have to keep lying about until our children (who are NOT stupid) will eventually and inevitably find out the truth? How much of their trust will we have lost? This can be applied to most religions, as well!

The Spirit of Christmas is alive and well! There is nothing wrong with keeping that Spirit alive, but do we have to lie to do it? I’m pretty sure that common sense would dictate that “No, we don’t have to lie about it!”

Every parent must make their own choices, but if they want to keep the Spirit alive, wouldn’t it make more sense to focus on the positive aspects, that of giving with a pure heart, pure intention, rather than being negative by lying to your kids about some jolly fat man that magically brings a bag of toys, which is 3 to 4 times the width, down their chimneys, simultaneously across the WORLD, no less, every Christmas Eve?

Charles Haddon Shank

Whitehall, Montana