Letter: Nick's not for kids

Sir: John Rawlins makes three mistakes in his defence of Father Christmas (Letters, 6 December). He says that "pretending" is one of the joys of childhood; but in this case it is parents who have the joy of pretending and children who have the pain of finding out the truth. He says that no child ever suffered from the experience; but for many it is a considerable shock to learn that parents tell deliberate lies. And he says that if there is no God or heaven, it isn't wrong to tell lies; but it is wrong for human, not superhuman, reasons.

Yours faithfully,

Nicolas Walter

Rationalist Press Association

London, N1