Bad for the common good vs sin (unsecure wi-fi)

[D0UBTFIRE]

Is there such a thing as something that is not good for the “common good” but is not a sin? This is what my confessor told me regarding using my neighbors unsecured wi-fi connection when I asked if it was a sin and he told me to forget about the word “sin” in this case and that it simply wasn’t for the common good (his example was telling someone they’re ugly isn’t for the common good but isn’t sinful). Instead of telling me that it was okay or not okay to continue using the wifi he told me to use it only two or three days a week, or two weeks out of the month, and to give extra money to the poor (since I don’t pay for the wifi)… I kept asking for clarification because I found this confusing but he said he wanted me to live in the gray area.

 

[dskysmine]

Is there such a thing as something that is not good for the “common good” but is not a sin? This is what my confessor told me regarding using my neighbors unsecured wi-fi connection when I asked if it was a sin and he told me to forget about the word “sin” in this case and that it simply wasn’t for the common good (his example was telling someone they’re ugly isn’t for the common good but isn’t sinful). Instead of telling me that it was okay or not okay to continue using the wifi he told me to use it only two or three days a week, or two weeks out of the month, and to give extra money to the poor (since I don’t pay for the wifi)… I kept asking for clarification because I found this confusing but he said he wanted me to live in the gray area.

Although he didn’t call it sinful it is a small venial sin. Unsecure wi-fi are usually due to people not knowing how to secure their own Wi-fi. If you know who that network belongs to you can tell them that they have a an unsecured Wi-Fi and ask if you can use it. After they know about it they can choose to either let it be unsecure and you using it or they may lock it and (with some luck) allow you to use it because you helped them. That would be what I would do. Your extra traffic on their network may be increasing their internet bill without you noticing.
God Bless.
Edit: If they continue to leave it unsecure after you told them about it then it wouldn’t be sinful to use it.

 

[RSD]

Is there such a thing as something that is not good for the “common good” but is not a sin? This is what my confessor told me regarding using my neighbors unsecured wi-fi connection when I asked if it was a sin and he told me to forget about the word “sin” in this case and that it simply wasn’t for the common good (his example was telling someone they’re ugly isn’t for the common good but isn’t sinful). Instead of telling me that it was okay or not okay to continue using the wifi he told me to use it only two or three days a week, or two weeks out of the month, and to give extra money to the poor (since I don’t pay for the wifi)… I kept asking for clarification because I found this confusing but he said he wanted me to live in the gray area.

I think that your confessor was really not helpful in this. It may be that he thinks there is some value in you living “in the gray area” but if so he did not make it clear to you. I understand your confusion.

Whenever I go to confession I always pray for my confessor, that he will be able to give me the insights I need.

 

[philial]

Perhaps your confessor was trying to force you to face up to personal decision making, and the responsibility that goes with it?

 

[D0UBTFIRE]

I think that your confessor was really not helpful in this. It may be that he thinks there is some value in you living “in the gray area” but if so he did not make it clear to you.

That’s what I thought…but I can’t imagine why??? So I’m kinda stuck because I don’t feel comfortable using it (although I am right now) and I also don’t feel comfortable telling my family they can’t use it if I can’t clearly say “It’s sinful”. BTW, I do not know which neighbor it is (we live in townhomes).

 

[ricofall]

Your confessor may also not know much about Wi-Fi and other terms in the technology culture so he may be unsure.

In our parish, our pastors do not publish their email on the website. One said during his homily that it is because they do not read them at all. However, if we had a complement, send a letter, if we had a complaint, please email him, lol.

 

[Newbie2]

What should be done:

1. Quit using it. Your discomfort in using a service for which you do not pay is your conscience telling you something.
2. Let your neighbor know that they should secure their wi-fi, if you know which neighbor it is.

or

1. IF your neighbor is willing to share the costs and allow you to continue to use it, it would be OK to split the cost.

 

[dskysmine]

I am not from the US so I have no idea how that works there. If there is a landlord or a body responsible for the block you could talk to them and ask them that.
If it is one of those houses detached from the others it is probable that it is one of your direct neighbours so you could just ask them directly.
You can always try to ask the neighbours you deal with if they know about it or simply post in a common area that there are some unsecure Wi-Fi networks in the neighborhood and you can even offer to explain them how to make it secure (because it should come with the router).
Usually if the Wi-Fi is from a public company the network should have a common name, if it is in its default status it should have a very generic name like “ARG107881” or something like that (this points to a private network that wasn’t set up properly).
In any way you should advise your family not to use it until the person in charge of it either makes it public that it is ok to use it or gives you permission (with a password after it is secured).
Edit: This is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbours and actually love somebody in a very concrete way. I’m sure the owners would be most than thankful for your help.

 

[underacloud]

Although he didn’t call it sinful it is a small venial sin. Unsecure wi-fi are usually due to people not knowing how to secure their own Wi-fi. If you know who that network belongs to you can tell them that they have a an unsecured Wi-Fi and ask if you can use it. After they know about it they can choose to either let it be unsecure and you using it or they may lock it and (with some luck) allow you to use it because you helped them. That would be what I would do. Your extra traffic on their network may be increasing their internet bill without you noticing.
God Bless.

Edit: If they continue to leave it unsecure after you told them about it then it wouldn’t be sinful to use it.

That seems like sound advice, until the edit section. On what basis would it be right to use it if left unsecured but you had told them? If you knew a neighbour failed to lock their front door when they went out, would it be OK for you to go into their home (say, to “borrow” some milk) without their permission simply because you had told them of their security issue?

Wifi security is there to negate bandwidth theft. But the lack of security does not open up unsecured bandwidth for a free-for-all.

 

[dskysmine]

That seems like sound advice, until the edit section. On what basis would it be right to use it if left unsecured but you had told them? If you knew a neighbour failed to lock their front door when they went out, would it be OK for you to go into their home (say, to “borrow” some milk) without their permission simply because you had told them of their security issue?

Wifi security is there to negate bandwidth theft. But the lack of security does not open up unsecured bandwidth for a free-for-all.

If I told the neighbour “Hey mate, you have an unsecured Wi-Fi, this means… bla bla bla… Do you want my help in making it secure so that nobody can use it?” and he replies… “No thank, you… it’s ok.”
Then he is tacitly giving his approval for others to use it.
If he doesn’t care that others use it, then why would it be sinful?
I know people that don’t care because their contract doesn’t have download limits…

 

[underacloud]

If I told the neighbour “Hey mate, you have an unsecured Wi-Fi, this means… bla bla bla… Do you want my help in making it secure so that nobody can use it?” and he replies… “No thank, you… it’s ok.”
Then he is tacitly giving his approval for others to use it.
If he doesn’t care that others use it, then why would it be sinful?
I know people that don’t care because their contract doesn’t have download limits…

But why not just ask straight out?

“Hey mate, you have an unsecured Wi-Fi, this means… bla bla bla… Do you want my help in making it secure so that nobody can use it?”

“No thank, you… it’s ok.”

“So do you mind if I use it?”

If you feel someone is giving tacit approval, then it won’t hurt to ask. If you are relectant to ask for some reason, you can’t really assume tacit approval, can you?

 

[Shlomo]

I think resorting to a confessor’s conscience instead of employing your own is similar to using somebody else’s wi-fi.

“Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.”
(Proverbs 5:15)