This thread is not to try and prove which position is true or false, but I wanted to ask a question to believers. I'll prelude the question with some examples.
JW's think that their message is true and benificial to others - therefore they knock on doors and informal witness etc. I think it's safe to say most on this forum agree it is NOT true and it is in fact harmful (particularly to children) Perhaps harmful in ways that the JW is not in a position to appreciate because of his/her warped perspective on things.
On the other hand - if their message WAS true, and armageddon is coming etc etc, then you could argue that them preaching this stuff is NOT harmful (actually its morally ambiguous but nevermind that for the time being) because the ends justifies the means - it all comes out in the wash etc.
In turn if Mormons message was false then we can agree they are misleading, lying, wasting peoples precious time and lives and ultimately harming children and susceptable people by spreading it. If Mormons message is true then they are NOT (again morally ambiguous).
To quote Christopher Hitchens - If jesus was who he said he was, then he was the greatest man who ever lived. If he wasn't, then he was a dangerous madman.
All the religions and believers of the world are counting on the fact that they have the truth - and that fact alone gives them little hesitation in sharing it with others because it is the TRUTH.
Coming to the question:
To believers. Would you agree with the proposition that if the beliefs you teach to others (even if it's very little and informal) are true... then no problem. But if they turn out to be NOT true, do you agree that you are harming people in some way by spreading these mistruths?
Thankyou. Look forward to your thoughts.