I think this is a case where good theology (Tom) fails to make sense when it is compared with real life (Mikes family).

I.I don't doubt that your parents were/are kind, loving, and compassionate Christian parents, but assuming they were/are so, I believe it is only by the grace of God, meaning the Holy Spirit must have been involved. We are not by nature kind, loving and compassionate. We need the assistance of God in order to overcome our sinful natures.

II.Kind, loving and compassionate people can have wrong ideas about God, and other things, and unwittingly teach things which aren't true, which can have an impact on what others think about God. For example, there are kind, loving, compassionate people who believe that hell is eternal, which could have a negative impact on what one believes. I'm just giving that as an example. I know your parents didn't teach this, assuming they were Adventists, but I doubt they were either perfect in their teaching or examples. Our own deficiencies can have an impact upon our witness, both in terms of what we teach and in terms of the influence of our lives.

III.Even if your parents were perfect, their teachings and examples could be rejected, which, in this case, would be tantamount to rejection of the Holy Spirit. In this case, I would doubt your assessment of the situation, because you would have people being kind, loving and compassionate while rejecting any assistance from God, and I believe this is impossible, because of our sinful natures.

Nope. Like I said, I thought I had, but I came to find out I was wrong.

You seem to be saying that God is not necessary for people being truly kind, loving, and compassionate. Do you agree?

How about, God is necessary for people to be truly kind, loving and compassionate, but believing in God is not. God gives us many gifts whether we thank Him or powers of chaos for them.

I agree with this, if one understands "believing in God" in the traditional sense. However, one can "believe in God" without knowing that one is so doing, depending upon how we understand the phrase.

I understand God gives good gifts even to people who passionately disbelieve in Him. Rain and sunshine grows the plants in Richard Dawkins window equally to those in your window. Unlike us, Gods generosity in dispensing gifts is in no way hindered by such petty details as whether the recipient will actually appreciate the giver.

Tom and Thomas, if the kind of people I've described above are truly kind, loving, and compassionate because they are unwittingly responding to the wooing influence of the Holy Spirit, in what way does their fruit differ from that of the best of believers?

If the fruit is produced through the wooing of the Holy Spirit, why would it differ?

I wasn't addressing this aspect, but I agree completely with this as well. God can do no other than give good gifts, because that's His nature.

You've been saying these people have been resisting the Holy Spirit, not responding to it.