“Unethical Conversions?” An Analysis of Missionary Activities in Relation to Ethics and Human Rights - 中欧社会论坛 - China Europa Forum

“Unethical Conversions?” An Analysis of Missionary Activities in Relation to Ethics and Human Rights

Authors: Egil Lothe

Activities of people promoting various religions among others have frequently given rise to conflicting views of whether such activities are unduly hindered by state measures thus violating human rights, or whether on the contrary, that they violate the human rights of those targeted by such activities. Conflicts connected to missionary activities also constitute a very sensitive aspect of inter-religious relations that in some situations have even led to various forms of violent conflicts.

Buddhists in many Asian countries have in recent years become the target of missionary activities aimed at making them abandon their religion in favour of religions such as Christianity. These activities have in many cases been described as unethical, being seen as coercive and manipulative. Although unethical practices have been reported from many Buddhist countries there seems to be a lack of systematic studies regarding the criteria that define missionary practises as unethical. In the present paper these criteria will be explored. The issue of the extent to which missionary practises are protected by the conventions on human rights of the United Nations will also to be explored. The rights of those targeted by missionaries seem to have been less discussed than the rights of the missionaries. More emphasis to the situation of those targeted by missionaries has therefore been given in the present paper.

Missionary activities are also an important dimension of inter-religious relations. Exploring through inter-religious dialogue how a code of conduct for missionary activities may be established is also important for ensuring good relations between religions which is a significant factor in building harmony within societies and provide a context for the discussion presented in this paper. The role of governments in protecting individuals from unethical missionary practices will also be discussed in this connection.

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