Is dishonesty the best policy?

There are and have always been atheists who think it is prudent to use religious beliefs to advance their political aims and inculcate their political values.

Though it may be equally false that God hates slavery and that he loves it, it may be prudent to ensure the people think he hates it.

Similarly, “Slavery is profoundly wicked” and “Slavery is not at all wicked” may be equally meaningless, but . . . .

Politics, they say, is war with less, or less organized, violence.

And if all’s fair short of that . . . .

And, anyway, it will certainly seem prudent to most parents that their little children believe "Shoplifting is wicked" and "Punching your brother in the arm is wicked."

And maybe even that God disapproves of such things quite severely.

Or at least that Santa Claus does.