1. My bad. I genuinely misunderstood your stance. Are you suggesting that by taking money from him in a manner that is not sincere is not ethical? Is it unethical, because I am taking money under false pretenses, sway opinion of a few, or some other reason?

2. I never claimed to be absolved. Then again I do not believe I committed a sin either. You may be pushing your analogies too far. Lets stick to the facts available to us.