Scambaiting: Ethical for a Christian?

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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 2:52 am

I don't know how many Christian scambaiters there are, but I just want to ask if you guys think a Christian should scambait or not?
I am asking this because I am a SeventhDay Adventist (a Christian) and I am wrestling over wether I should scambait or not; namely, I am asking if it is Biblically acceptable. I really started questioning it when I read passages in the Bible such as Revelation 22:15 (where John describes who will be kept out of God's Kingdom): "But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters and whoever loves and practices a lie". Other passages include Proverbs 6:17, when King Solomon lists seven things that God hates: "...A proud look, a lying tounge". And there are many other passages, namely the 9th Commandment: "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor". I hope you guys can see where I'm coming from! What do you guys say?
PLEASE note I am not trying to start a fight or any garbage like that.
Oh! And one more note! I scambaited a guy last year for about two months (if I remember, the guy was trying to get money for a charity or something; scams like that make me angry, to say the least). After I had toyed with the guy, I finally revealed that I was scambaiting him, BUT I did not do the "normal" thing and heckle him for being tricked or anything. Instead, I urged him to get out of the scamming "business" and I tried my best to point him to Christ (wether he went to Christ or not I have no idea). The point is, if I scambait and THEN do what I did there, do you guys think that makes a difference or not? I'm just wondering.
God bless, and thank you!

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 2:59 am

If it bothers you, why not put your energy into something like killing fake banks or helping get the word out about 419 scams? There are plenty of ways to help the fight without doing something you think may compromise your ideals. Giving a talk about 419 scams to groups in your community could very well prevent people from falling for a scam.

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 3:02 am

Well i just went to a "random bible verse" website to come up with something totally abstract... just to have a laugh (not at your expense... just for fun) and it actually, in stead, came up with this:

Quote:

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

sure ruined my pisstake!

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 3:03 am

Ethics, scmethics..... search is your friend. Wink

But if you aren't comfortable with doing something, don't do it. Other than adhering to the sensible rules and guidelines of this site such as not hacking or carying out other illegal activity, what we do to or with our lads is entirely up to each one of us as individuals to decide. We may at times wish to seek the opinions of our fellow baiters, but at the end of the day it's our decision that determines whether we sleep soundly at night or not.

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 3:05 am

I have to admit, that is a toughy.

I am a believer and I don't go where I don't want to go.

Follow your heart and if you don't feel comfortable, don't do it.

BTW, God also wants us to help ones in need. Cool

** ACCOUNT CLOSED ** Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 766

This is a scambait forum and not a religious forum.

If one wishes to discuss religion, methinks it would be more appropriate in another section, particularly since one cannot expect authors of centuries distance to have any correspondence with one another. Demonstration of that is a topic in and off itself, which is why, perhaps it belongs in another section.

--J.D.

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 3:15 am

Doctor X, I disagree... the original post was not about religion per se, but rather a request for opinions. As such, I'm willing to leave it here.

@jedi...as others have said, if you don't feel completely comfortable, then don't do it. Take SF's advice and check out the Fake Bank forum. You can work to your hearts content, and never compromise your own ethics.

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 3:19 am

Someone locked this while I was posting?

Not quite a Newb Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 33

Jedi: Just my two cents here. I'm Christian and don't see a problem with scambaiting. Some might consider it lying, but for that matter, playing a practical joke on someone or the police participating in stings could be considered "lying" too. For me, it's more of a joke than anything. I'm not hurting the scammer by asking them to hold a silly sign or build a time machine - it's just a method to waste their time and have a little fun while doing it. If you do decide to participate in scambaiting though, the best thing is not to tell them that you've been wasting their time all along at the end.

So like I said, after examining the whole thing, I don't have a problem with it myself - but if you're unsure, take some time to think and pray about it. If you feel that scambaiting could be wrong, I would follow SlayerFaith's suggestion and help fight scamming in another way - getting the word out about it, killing fake banks, or even praying for the scammers if you want.

Hope this helps.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 41

I unlocked it, Crash.

You were posting while I was messing with buttons.

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 3:24 am

** ACCOUNT CLOSED ** Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 766

I disagree with crashoot, but since the thread was locked, I sent him a PM with my concerns. More than happy to make it some of the information public.

My concern is that this is a site that is a respite from such discussions like sports, politics, and religion, and posters probably do not want such views dissected.

Happy to do it since, as I blathered in the PM, it interests me to no end, but it probably does not interest anyone else, or at least they do not expect such topics to come under critical scrutiny.

--J.D.