Ethical dilemma: stealing?

[Melissa72]

Here goes. I am currently ill…long term illness so I’m not able to get out of the house. My little brother (who identifies as an agnostic) wants me to see the newest Harry Potter film so badly that he offered to find an online bootleg i.e. stolen merchandise.

I have told him repeatedly “no” and took it as an opportunity to teach the concepts of honesty and integrity…that even though you steal from a supposed millionaire it is still stealing and I want nothing to do with it.

Well, for Christmas he gave me a bootleg copy anyway…he was gleeful b/c he figured out a way to circumvent the whole “stealing” aspect by purchasing online movie tickets for me. He thinks that by purchasing tickets to a movie I will not see in a theatre will make up for the bootleg he burned…money going into the same till.

So…this is an ethical/moral dilemma. I haven’t watched the thing nor do I plan too…the trash can is it’s home. But I would like to be able to explain WHY it is still wrong…that buying a movie ticket doesn’t make up for the original crime. Any ideas or examples I could use? Thanks!

 

[AdriannaJean]

Why don’t you just ask him to rent a copy of it when it comes out on video and watch it together? You’re not his parent, the only lesson you need to give your example will more than suffice for.

 

[GratefulFred]

How old is your “little” brother?

It is hard to correct or admonish loved ones who don’t want to hear it. You know you are correct in your view and you are better to stand your moral ground. He may not admit it, but he will respect you for standing for the better value.

An agnostic may not want to think about Moral Law from God, but he can and should think about ethics and fair play. “I really wanted it and the owner would not miss it” is unethical.

Stealing a Harry movie and buying tickets for a Sally movie is not repaying Harry.

Also important is having some indication that he knows burning DVDs is neither ethical, legal, nor moral. The fact that one will not get caught (at least highly unlikely) or that the amount involved in minimal is NOT justification for excusing wrong. IF you sense he learned the lesson, THEN a reward of watching the movie together and then destroying it AND the tickets would be a reconcilation, imperfect, but acceptable.

Brother cannot really give back the purlioned DVD. Buying tickets - spending his money - is a good gesture. Tickets can only be used for one viewing. I think the proper way out of his error is to view the DVD one time and then destroy both the DVD and the tickets providing you think he won’t pull that again.

You gotta love a brother that tried to give his house-bound big sister some time of happiness in sharing a movie together.

 

[Melissa72]

Thanks for the responses.

My younger brother is 28 years old. He is an agnostic and I see this as an opportunity to teach him some moral ethics. His version of trying to make up for the sin is close but no cigar…only an attempt to circumvent the moral way to get what he wants in the now.

His ADD brain loves to figure things out as soon as possible:+) He is quite loving and his heart is definitely in the right place. I am sure their is an ethical quip that would help he and I understand where he still went off the mark…I guess that is what I am looking for.

God bless!