1 moral & 1 legal question

[The_Otaku]

1.) If I am with a friend at a restraunt and they are old enough (in their 60s) and I am much younger (in my late 20’s) and she has a problem with gossiping, how can I, being younger, attempt to correct these errors in a respectable way so the conversation isn’t ruined and an awkward situation isn’t created? I realize it’s a habit this friend has, and it’s a way of her relieving the tremendous stress and personal family hardships she is forced to endure. She is really being persecuted big time by the enemy for her faith. Out of concern for her, I allow her to critcize and gossip as a way to let her vent, figuring that she doesn’t really mean it, but it’s still wrong. I do what I can to avoid partaking in the gossip, as does my mother. She goes to confession regularly and while I cannot know what she confesses, I imagine she confesses these types of things.

What can I do? Should I allow her to do this and just take no part in it, or try and put a stop to it?

2.)

If I listen to a song on the internet where instead of the song downloading to my computer or being opened in a program like Windows Media Player, etc, it opens in the browser or is played through the browser (Firefox, IE, etc) is it ok to listen to it if the song is on a website that most likely does not have permission to distribute the mp3?

In this case, the songs are full-length (not samples) and can be played in the browser or downloaded (mp3). As long as I don’t download the song or save it in any way, is ok for me to load it in the browser and listen to it and it is not a sin to do so as many times as I like?

The same question could be applied to listening to videos or music on sites like youtube. Is it a sin to listen to these songs since we have no way of knowing whether the uploader had purchased the mp3 before they made the video or whatever it is? Or, are we always obligated to buy the song, if possible, and it’s never ok to listen to a song for free, even if you’re not downloading it and thus stealing it?

Does listening but not downloading or saving still count as stealing and a sin?

Thank you for your answers, God bless!

 

[Texas_Roofer]

usually one question per thread works best.

You cannot change your friend, her life is hers. You can say things like “Lets not talk about others” “lets talk about something else, something more positive”

The music: The real issue is distribution. When you distribute a song you owe the owners (copyright). If you are not distributing the song you have a minimal legal issue. That minimal issue is are you knowingly obtaining the music illegally? Obtaining music a very small but a part of distribution. However if you are knowingly obtaining music through illegal means then you are both commiting a small crime and aiding a larger crime.

Morally you should not commit any crime large or small when legal means are available.

So in summary listen online but do not down load unless you pay the $0.49.

 

[chevalier]

Otaku, as for the gossipping friend, you need to change the subject and mind your own talking.

As for the music, see if there’s any library where you can borrow it. Or you can buy a record player (used or even new - they make those again) and buy old vinyl LP’s at flee markets. That’s my older brother’s new hobby and my father has a tremendous collection as well. Sometimes you can buy a true feast for your ears for just a couple of bucks. Nothing beats buying Karajan for spare change. There’s simply no way a CD can compare, let alone an MP3. Especially if you get hold of an old player, those are likely to have a good amplifier, so it’s not just the vinyl.