Unethical practices in Evangelism. What is the value of the conversions?

I agree. Judging by the amount of people here who were thus exposed and have subsequently not only ploughed another furrow but are rabidly anti, I would conclude the 'tactic' stupid in the extreme.If the parents are Christians though I can understand the concern unto over-the-top. Christian parents share the concerns for their children like most parents do. They make the same mistake that every evangelist does at some point: they think they can convert peopleEdited by iano, : No reason given.

See you got banned again. Means I have the place nigh on to myself!Enjoyed your Faith-ness in the Potm lite nom. Classic!

I don't necessarily see much a problem with it myself. There is an oldish lady across the road, crocked on cigarettes and booze. From time to time we'll sit and share a bottle of wine (in so far as I can manage to squeeze a glass or two out of the bottle) and during that I will tell her about Christ and heaven and hell.She and her daughter had some falling out 20 years ago and barely speak. It had to do with some lie her daughter told her when the daughter was 14. I don't know what it was. It troubles her deeply that she may go to her grave with this situation but and the only condition she places on reconciliation is that her daughters says "Sorry""But Caroline, she was 14 at the time. Do you not think you were responsible for letting this situation propogate throughout those years? I reckon you need to apologise to your daughter. Such self-justification and pride is precisely at the root of the problem between you and God"She hates that. She can get a bit befuddled at times and in those moments she denies she has ever sinned before God (the quasi-RC version that she believes in). In her more lucid moments she accepts she has indeed sinned. But didn't do anything wrong in this instance.I refuse to allow her to escape and discussion can get quite heated at times. If I believe her salvation is at stake and what I say is honest then I see no problem "targetting" this vunerable old lady

No they don't, they just believe they do. Patently no one can prove this, so the ethical/unethical question just...hangs there.

I don't see how it can, ultimately. I decide that my approach is ethical (and decide too when it strays over the line into unethical) according to the standard I hold myself accountable to.But that's me. Another will have another standard. Say a person beileves that a literal confession of Christ as Lord saves a person. Their approach thus: "Say these words: 'Christ is Lord' and you will be saved" isn't being unethical in their mind and they are permitted in their mind, to do anything they can to get the person to utter those words. Or "send money" or "go to church".Ethics are like morals. No one can pin them down.Edited by iano, : No reason given.Edited by iano, : No reason given.

I don't think a general statement is possible. It would need to refer to some general ethic - decided by, well whoever agree that that is the general ethic. I know turning off a life support machine undere certain circumstances is not considered unethical even though the person involved cannot make an informed decision.Like morals, ethics is a personnal thing: referencing some external standard or some internal standard. All must decide for themselves what they will adhere to.

See message above.Ethics are in the eye of the beholder. We might as well be talking yet again about morals. Lets not. The conclusion will be as it always is.I don't think "targetting vunerable individuals' such as the two neighbours I referred to is unethical. They are impoverished in spirit and they need to hear of Christ and him crucified. I could target vunerable individuals in another way which I would consider unethical. So I don'tEdited by iano, : No reason given.

It is possible of course. Just not on this side of death (physical) or life (spiritual)Edited by iano, : No reason given.

My morals are related to an absolute morality. In that sense I am a moral relativist.

The act is the same. The intention is the same. The result, if conversion results, is different When I attempt to lead someone to Christ I am being moral (according to Gods standard). When a JW attempts to lead someone to a false representation of God that is immoral. The JW won't see it that way. But the fact we both see it the same way doesn't mean both ways are moral (or both immoral)Your comparing apples and pearsEdited by iano, : No reason given.