Buying Pirated Movies or Videogames a mortal sin?

[chrismalaga]

Hi,

I was wondering, If you purchase pirated movies/video games or you fiddle fares on the train. Is that classified as a mortal sin or is it veinal?

CHris

 

[FastLearner]

That depends. To be a mortal sin, it has to be a grave matter, done with full knowledge and complete consent (Catechism 1857).

So the first huddle is if it’s a grave matter. Consider what the Catetchism says (1858): “Grave matter is specified by the Ten Commandments, corresponding to the answer of Jesus to the rich young man: ‘Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and your mother.’” (emphasis added) Is buying a pirated movie, videogame, or jumping the turnstyle at a train stealing? I think so. Therefore, it is a grave matter.

Whether it was done with full knowledge and consent is a situational thing. A person that doesn’t understand licensing (think of someone completely computer illiterate) doesn’t necessarily meet that qualification. A person that thinks they’re buying a legal copy and later find out that it’s pirated also doesn’t meet the qualification. But a person cruising Warez sites looking for a pirated copy or someone that purposefully hops over the turnstyle at the subway to avoid paying a fee is committing mortal sin.

Link: vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P6C.HTM

 

[Ne_OrangeKnight]

I don’t know that buying a single pirated game/movie/album ($50, $30, $20) necessarily meets the level of grave matter. Even moreso for a subway ticket (what, $1?). The important thing to keep in mind is that doing so is wrong. Mortal or not, it’s still stealing, and you shouldn’t do it.

Sam, the Neon Orange Knight

 

[jmjconder]

Hi,

I was wondering, If you purchase pirated movies/video games or you fiddle fares on the train. Is that classified as a mortal sin or is it veinal?

CHris

Keep in mind the guidelines from the CCC for a sin to be mortal.

1857 For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must together be met: “Mortal sin is sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent.”

Also keep in mind that stealing…which this is ~ is a sin against the seventh commandment…Thou shall not steal.

Copywrited material if off limits for everyone to reproduce for any use and it is a sin against the seventh commandment. Now that you know it is a serious sin…to decide to continue this practice also causes you to sin mortally.