Proselytism

The World Council of Churches in The Challenge of Proselytism and the Calling to Common Witness states the following: 19. Proselytism as described in this document stands in opposition to all ecumenical effort. It includes certain activities which often aim at having people change their church affiliation and which we believe must be avoided, such as the following: making unjust or uncharitable references to other churches' beliefs and practices and even ridiculing them;comparing two Christian communities by emphasizing the achievements and ideals of one, and the weaknesses and practical problems of the other;employing any kind of physical violence, moral compulsion and psychological pressure e.g. the use of certain advertising techniques in mass media that might bring undue pressure on readers/viewers;using political, social and economic power as a means of winning new members for one's own church;extending explicit or implicit offers of education, health care or material inducements or using financial resources with the intent of making converts;manipulative attitudes and practices that exploit people's needs, weaknesses or lack of education especially in situations of distress,