Children should be lied to

First, let me clear this up. You wrote: "How many children are actually hurt and affected by it?" I answered: "An exact number of how many are hurt I cannot give. As for how many are affected, I would venture to say that all involved are in one way or another." You then quoted me out of context and wrote: "How do you know?" 1) I know by definition, because if one is involved in something they are necessarily affected by it. This doesn't mean that in EVERY instance the influence is completely negative, but I didn't make that argument in the first place. I am arguing that children should not be lied to. 2) "When I found out that Santa was not real, I wasn't mad or taught to lie by it. Also, I outgrew the idea. It's like how you outgrow certain phases in life." Irrelevant. You are one case. I am speaking of the overall gross affect that lying has on children and society. 3) "Also, I am unsure of whether you are fit to be debating on the issue of certain religious practices and traditions if you, yourself, are not religious. As I see from other debates, you seem not to be. Did you believe in Santa when you were young? If so, has it taught you to lie? I for one have not been affected in a negative way by the tradition and I am one who HAS been involved in it." Also irrelevant. 4) "What I meant by this comment is not that it is acceptable to lie, but what do you really consider to be lying?" Too bad, because that is not what you wrote: "The real only acceptable time to lie to a child is about Santa Claus and other mythical characters." As for the definition of a lie, here is Wiktionary's definition: Etymology 2 Old English lēoġan, from Germanic. Verb (intransitive) To give false information intentionally. (intransitive) To convey a false image or impression. Photos often lie. Etymology 3 Old English lyġe Noun An intentionally false statement; a falsehood. A statement intended to deceive, even if literally true; a half-truth 5) "Is continuing traditions really and truly considered lying?" If said traditions involve intentionally false statements, yes. 6) "Also, religion should not be a part of this." Actually, it cannot help but be, as most of the lies we are talking about center around religious superstition, either directly or indirectly. My observation about you being a Christian, however, was superfluous and possibly uncalled for - my apologies. 7) "This is a debate about LYING." Agreed. You are In Favor of the claim that "Children should be lied to." Also, you decided to center the debate on Santa Claus by using that case as your prime example; I gave numerous examples of lies that are told to children and you basically conceded on every point except Santa Claus, so I worked with what I had. 8) "I can infer from your other debates that you are not religious, I am sorry if I am not correct, but I also find it funny coming from someone who is not religious to be arguing on religious practices, that you may have not ever even experienced. (Again, I am sorry if I am not correct, but please do correct me if I am wrong.[)](sic)" See point #7; and irrelevant. 9) "Are you insinuating that we should take away from a person's childhood simply to not take the risk of affecting them by "lying[?]" No, I am EXPLICITLY saying that we should add to children's' childhoods - their sense of morality, their store of knowledge, and thus their quality of life - by NOT LYING (notice - no quotation marks around *lying*). 10) "I believe that my opponent has only come up with an argument that lying to children about things such as Santa, the tooth fairy, etc, is bad for the children and will affect them in many ways." Thank you. In closing, my opponent has provided no evidence as to WHY children should be lied to, and even agreed that they should not be lied to, except in the "acceptable" case of Santa Claus. Even in this example, my opponent has provided no good reason for the lying to take happen in the first place. I will end on the primary thrust of my argument - that knowledge is preferable to ignorance. Lying to children, about anything from Santa to the facts of life, impedes their understanding and knowledge of the world and is therefore a bad thing. Thank you for the debate.