To not want to lie to DD just so that we don't offend other people's religious and cultural sentiments?

[AliveAndSleeping]

I (and the majority of people) don't believe in this. We know it's not true. I have told DD that I don't believe in it but it's a nice story based loosely on history and that some others do believe it. She can make Up her own mind.

However, now the country I live in has very strong feelings on this matter. I feel that because of peer pressure I need to tell DD either that it is true or ask her to keep quiet about it or her friends will feel bad. I'm worried that if she'll voice her disbelief in the existence of this entity both the other kids and their parents will be offended and possibly ostracise her for it. I'm not exaggerating. Even the Catholic diocese had to apologise today for the comments of one of its bishops who inadvertently told kids the truth.

I'm tempted to lie to her just so that she won't offend anyone. I really don't want to. I don't think I should have to.

What would you do? Would you pretend that Santa exists even though you know that's not true? I love Christmas. I love all the Christmas traditions. The lights, the decorations, advent calendars, Christmas cookies. Even Christmas carols.
Why do kids need to believe in a mythical figure to make christmas magical? Isn't the other stuff enough? If it was any other religious or cultural sentiment would I be expected to lie and go against my beliefs to enable other people to continue with their deceit?

They can still respect the traditions though, whilst practising their own.

Father Christmas is a bit of fun for a lot of children. Is the answer to some children not having fun to stop ALL children from having fun? I don't think it is. There are plenty of opportunities to wrap gifts for those in need. Are all those bleating about the inequitable nature of FC doing that?

It's a childhood belief, children grow out of it when their ability to reason kicks in.

And then there's the millions and millions that believe in one god or another when there's no evidence any god exists but plenty of evidence about why religions exist to control the masses, pass down a few handy rules to live by and make the peasants grateful for their lot. And religion is one of those things that we can't talk about because to say it's hooey apparently offensive to those who believe this stuff

Let's look at the evidence for God and Father Christmas

Sorry, hit post too soon. Who knows what God looks like?

And who knows what FC looks like? Based on that empirical evidence which is it more sensible to believe in? (apologies for my phone jumping about when I'm trying to back space and posting instead).

@AliveAndSleeping

How would you feel if your child told other children?

How likily is that to happen?