I'll tell you what's ****, ****ing relatives sending

[Burney]

No, I'm not scared of that at all. I'm scared that along with being formally introduced to the concepts of religion and faith (which he will be as soon as he enters education), it will inculcate a credulousness that will be harder to shrug off.

Given that much of human psychology is determined in the early years, and given how prevalent credulousness is in otherwise intelligent adults, I see this as a genuine risk.

However, it's equally prevalent for people who believed in Santa and the tooth fairy as children and were surrounded by religion to grow up without the merest smidgeon of religious faith. I managed it, as did you and - I presume - your good lady, so why do you think your son won't be able to do the same?

Also, if you really want to avoid the whole religion thing, oughtn't you logically to be banning Christmas altogether?