Metaphors are fine if they aid understanding, but sometimes they get in the way.
I don't know what to think about magic and fairy tales.
Complex statistically improbable things are by their nature more difficult to explain than simple statistically probable things.
If children understand that beliefs should be substantiated with evidence as opposed to tradition, authority, revelation or faith, they will automatically work out for themselves that they are atheists.
Sci-fi films are the epic films of the day because we can no longer put 10 000 extras in the scene - but we can draw thousands of aliens with computers.