Is it Wrong to Use Deception in Order to Convert Someone?

[Finn_Bowen]

When I thought of this question, The Heliand
came to mind. Basically, it is a recount of the life of Jesus, except it is told in the style of a Germanic epic. It was written to make Jesus appealing to the Saxon heathens and much of the original story was changed to fit the world view of the Saxon audience. A book that examines this poem can be purchased here: amazon.com/gp/product/0195097203/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_g14_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0CJHJ5NC843TBMEB4V0Z&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

 

[Cristiano]

Yes if you are a Christian. Yes if you are a Jew. No if you are a Muslim. I do not know for the other large religions that might allow for deception in some cases.

 

[robwar]

lies begat lies. It is wrong to use deception to convert. lies don’t begat truth. To convert you use truth. why would someone stay converted if they found out that lies were used? That is building a house one sand. “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free”

 

[Stumblesalot]

Yes if you are a Christian. Yes if you are a Jew. No if you are a Muslim. I do not know for the other large religions that might allow for deception in some cases.

Hi,

Could you possibly elaborate on why it is OK for Muslims please? I found that quite interesting.

God bless

 

[Cristiano]

Hi,

Could you possibly elaborate on why it is OK for Muslims please? I found that quite interesting.

God bless

I do not have the reference handy, but I am sure that you can find it if you search CAF. My understanding is that a Muslims are allowed to misrepresent things in order to obtain conversion of people. I think that it is discussed in the Hadiths and it is referred to as Taqiyya.

You can also look at these references from the Qur’an:

“A Muslim does not have to maintain his oath (faith) as long as what’s in his heart is true” - Qur’an 2:225
“Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah: except by way of precaution, that ye may Guard yourselves from them. But Allah cautions you (To remember) Himself; for the final goal is to Allah.” - Qur’an 3:28
“Any one who, after accepting faith in Allah, utters Unbelief,- except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in Faith - but such as open their breast to Unbelief, on them is Wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty.” - Qur’an 16:106

 

[Snugglebugmom]

lies begat lies. It is wrong to use deception to convert. lies don’t begat truth. To convert you use truth. why would someone stay converted if they found out that lies were used? That is building a house one sand. “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free”

I like the way you stated that, it makes sense, and I agree with it. The end does not justify the means. One may never do evil (in this case lie) in order to achieve good (the conversion of souls).

 

[fakename]

I would say no.

But it is okay to omit things in the conversion process but perhaps not always necessary.

 

[sw85]

I do not have the reference handy, but I am sure that you can find it if you search CAF. My understanding is that a Muslims are allowed to misrepresent things in order to obtain conversion of people. I think that it is discussed in the Hadiths and it is referred to as Taqiyya.

You can also look at these references from the Qur’an:

“A Muslim does not have to maintain his oath (faith) as long as what’s in his heart is true” - Qur’an 2:225
“Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah: except by way of precaution, that ye may Guard yourselves from them. But Allah cautions you (To remember) Himself; for the final goal is to Allah.” - Qur’an 3:28
“Any one who, after accepting faith in Allah, utters Unbelief,- except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in Faith - but such as open their breast to Unbelief, on them is Wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty.” - Qur’an 16:106

My understanding of taqiyya is that allows you to (insincerely) convert to another faith to prevent persecution, provided you “reconvert” to Islam later. By invoking taqiyya, a man may reconvert to Islam without penalty. It does not permit deception in converting others. (Muslims don’t seem to have been big on that, historically).

As to the topic of the OP, it is always wrong to lie. Deception is not the same thing as lying so it’s not as universally prohibited. In general, Christian truths should not be misrepresented, as this amounts, essentially, to denial of dogma, which is heresy, and thus a mortal sin.