I understand that this is a complex subject, so perhaps you don’t understand the subtle nuances at play.
Jesus never had an intent to deceive when he told His parables, hence they were not lies. Jesus’ parables were merely fiction. It is not a lie to tell a story, without the intent to deceive the believer into thinking the story is literally true.
Parents, at least not mine and I am sure not most, don’t intend to deceive their children. They are simply telling a fictional myth that exists within our culture. Is telling children of Santa Claus as a literal figure leading them to sin? No. Is telling children of Santa Claus as a literal figure an attempt to deceive them? No
From the Catechism : "2483 Lying is the most direct offense against the truth. To lie is to speak or act against the truth in order to lead someone into error. By injuring man’s relation to truth and to his neighbor, a lie offends against the fundamental relation of man and of his word to the Lord.
2484 The gravity of a lie is measured against the nature of the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and the harm suffered by its victims. If a lie in itself only constitutes a venial sin, it becomes mortal when it does grave injury to the virtues of justice and charity.
2485 By its very nature, lying is to be condemned. It is a profanation of speech, whereas the purpose of speech is to communicate known truth to others. The deliberate intention of leading a neighbor into error by saying things contrary to the truth constitutes a failure in justice and charity. The culpability is greater when the intention of deceiving entails the risk of deadly consequences for those who are led astray."
Is the parent’s intent to lead the children astray. Read the Catechism on lying. It isn’t defined as literally as it is in your mind. For example, pretend I am your wife if you are male or your friend if you are female. I say “do you like the new 100 dollar jeans I just bought?” You actually hate them and can’t believe I would spend such money on something so materialistic, but you see that I truly adore these jeans. Do you say, you hate them?
If you draw from what I have been saying that I think St. Augustine is a hypocrite then you completely misunderstand me. St. Augustine and I are in complete agreement. Moreover, your point about Adam and Eve does not make any sense.
Well, Saint Augustine taught people. I am sure at some point he also taught children, as he was pretty good about teaching everyone. So if he were to tell the child of Adam and Eve as if Adam and Eve really betrayed God in the way it is presented in the Bible, would he be lying? If so, then it would be hypocritical of him to say that lying in all circumstances is wrong.
I think you need to watch out so as not to let your emotions overtake you. Calm down a bit. Relax. Realize that it is important to apply logic and rationality to analyze even cherished traditions, because even in these cherished traditions can be insidious problems, like the lies and deceptions associated Santa Claus.
I am not emotional at all. Seriously, I am really sorry if you thought I was somehow upset by this.
THe story of Adam and Eve should not be taken literally. But every time I tell the story or a child asks, I tell the story as if it is entirely true and historically accurate, even though I do not believe it is historically accurate. That would be lying if lying were taken in the way you seem to think it should. It is not lying, however, because the intent is not to deceive. It is simply telling a myth as factually and historically true.
