Your thoughts about this topic [stealing]

[nathaniel1994]

God said not to steal, but if humans are selling something that benefits everyone, but it costs money and you get the product illegally do you think god counts that as a sin? I'm just curious.

[Shodan]

Yes, I do think so. Food, for instance, benefits everyone and you can steal it. Still a sin to steal it.

It is only not a sin if you have no other choice, so that the harm of stealing is outweighed by the benefit of having it and you can't obtain it in any other way.

"Do unto others as you would have others do unto you" is one of the rules God taught. Consider it from that point of view - if you had something that you were offering for sale, but someone stole it, would that be what you wanted?

Regards,
Shodan

[Grumman]

Originally Posted by Shodan

It is only not a sin if you have no other choice, so that the harm of stealing is outweighed by the benefit of having it and you can't obtain it in any other way.

You never have no other choice. And basing it on judgements of the harm caused are automatically suspect, because you're simply stating the harm to your victim is outweighed by the benefit to you.

[Der Trihs]

God is typically portrayed as a control and dominance freak, concerned with submission and obedience; in many ways he's a stand-in for how the authorities who promote his worship want to be regarded. Just as, say, the Greek gods are basically your classic self indulgent aristocrats writ large. So in all likelihood your generic standard God would consider it a sin to steal regardless of your reasons, because that's Breaking The Rules.

Originally Posted by Grumman

You never have no other choice.

Unless you are counting "die quietly and don't bother the rest of us" as a "choice" that's a rather implausible statement, given that people can and have died because they couldn't afford medical treatment or food or heat during the winter.

[Fried Dough Ho]

I steal every day. (I download movies from bit torrents).

But I don't believe in sin or God so I guess I'm screwed.

[ZPG Zealot]

Originally Posted by nathaniel1994

God said not to steal, but if humans are selling something that benefits everyone, but it costs money and you get the product illegally do you think god counts that as a sin? I'm just curious.

Depends entirely on the circumstances. Stealing in a manner that harms someone or something else should be considered a sin. Stealing in which what is stolen will never be missed is more of a grey area.

[Caveat lector]

Originally Posted by nathaniel1994

God said not to steal, but if humans are selling something that benefits everyone, but it costs money and you get the product illegally do you think god counts that as a sin? I'm just curious.

Wouldn't many or most things sold fall under "something that benefits everyone, but costs money?" So if this isn't wrong then its okay to steal food, TV's, cars, computers, books, clothing, etc. I think (or hope) that most people would feel that this is nonsense. So I'll say yes its wrong.

[Shodan]

Originally Posted by Grumman

You never have no other choice.

Technically true, but not a useful distinction - if the choice is "steal or starve to death" that is not much of a choice.

And basing it on judgements of the harm caused are automatically suspect, because you're simply stating the harm to your victim is outweighed by the benefit to you.

No more (or less) suspect than any other moral judgment based on utility.

Regards,
Shodan

[Mangetout]

Originally Posted by Caveat lector

Wouldn't many or most things sold fall under "something that benefits everyone, but costs money?" So if this isn't wrong then its okay to steal food, TV's, cars, computers, books, clothing, etc. I think (or hope) that most people would feel that this is nonsense. So I'll say yes its wrong.

This, exactly, is what's confusing me about the OP. The question seems to amount to: is it OK to steal, if I want to?

[Candyman74]

Originally Posted by nathaniel1994

God said not to steal, but if humans are selling something that benefits everyone, but it costs money and you get the product illegally do you think god counts that as a sin? I'm just curious.

Well, food benefits everyone. Is it OK if I steal your food?

[BigT]

I have two possible interpretations of the OP:

1. If a basic necessity is being withheld from people unfairly, is it okay to steal that necessity?
   
2. If my stealing of something benefits everyone, is it wrong to steal?

[Kozmik]

Originally Posted by nathaniel1994

God said not to steal, but if humans are selling something that benefits everyone, but it costs money and you get the product illegally do you think god counts that as a sin? I'm just curious.

Water?

[Freudian Slit]

Originally Posted by ZPG Zealot

Depends entirely on the circumstances. Stealing in a manner that harms someone or something else should be considered a sin. Stealing in which what is stolen will never be missed is more of a grey area.

Like taking someone's wallet after they've offered to shake hands with a respected female member of the community?