Putting something in a pocket

[bmullins]

Pick pocketing is clearly a sin, as it is taking something from someone (theft.) Would there be a moral problem with ‘putting’ something into someones pocket with the same method?

Example: Someone might bump into a lady and drop an item into her purse. (Instead of bumping her to take something out.) Now I think the action itself is likely not morally wrong. Or is it? or does it depend on what you ‘put’ in their pocket?

Putting $5 dollars into someones coat is much different than putting something incriminating in there. But is it still an invasion of privacy to do so? would it be wrong to do so with a ‘tract’? With a gift card?

 

[He_Man]

Probably depends on what you are putting and your intent, given God already knows your heart.

But frankly, I have too many other issues to worry about than whether unstealing is a sin.

 

[bmullins]

But frankly, I have too many other issues to worry about than whether unstealing is a sin.

I just thought it was an interesting premise. Someone was talking about how they like to use the same abilities they used to use to pick pocket, to put literature in peoples pockets or purses. It got my mind thinking… is that an acceptable way to do it? I mean I could see knowing a woman was having trouble making her bills and slipping some money into her purse… or a father that you work with not being able to pay for food, and you hide it in his wallet or book when he’s not looking.

 

[Matrix_Refugee]

I’d consider it an invasion of another person’s personal space, which could make it an act of uncharity. I know I wouldn’t want someone randomly sticking things into my coat pocket, and it would probably upset me (I’ve been groped by troublemakers, plus, due to being autistic, I have touch-sensitivity issues, so I’m hyper-vigilant about who gets close to me). Plus, who knows what’s going in there? If someone wants to give me something, it would be better if they held it out to me where I can see them!

 

[He_Man]

I’d consider it an invasion of another person’s personal space, which could make it an act of uncharity. I know I wouldn’t want someone randomly sticking things into my coat pocket, and it would probably upset me (I’ve been groped by troublemakers, plus, due to being autistic, I have touch-sensitivity issues, so I’m hyper-vigilant about who gets close to me). Plus, who knows what’s going in there? If someone wants to give me something, it would be better if they held it out to me where I can see them!

I still plan on sticking love notes in my wife’s purse and pockets when she isn’t nearby. Same action, different intent.

 

[Matrix_Refugee]

I still plan on sticking love notes in my wife’s purse and pockets when she isn’t nearby. Same action, different intent.

Awwww, cute!

I suppose if it’s family members, that’s one thing: you know each other and it’s a cute way to surprise them with something. But with a total stranger, it’s likely better to err on the side of discretion.

 

[He_Man]

Awwww, cute!

I suppose if it’s family members, that’s one thing: you know each other and it’s a cute way to surprise them with something. But with a total stranger, it’s likely better to err on the side of discretion.

Well, and who knows what is in that strange pocket. Hand goes in clean and fresh, but comes out all covered in stanger lint.

 

[TheWatcher]

I would be creeped out by it. If someone were close enough to me to put something harmless in my pockets or purse, they could have easily put something else (dangerous) in my pockets or purse. (Or removed something in my pockets or purse.) I would see the action as a subtle threat. Strangers don’t have my consent to touch me or my things.

Very few people have my consent to do things like that. My husband, for example. Some friends.

I’ve actually had problems in the past with family members going through my stuff when trying to surprise me. For some, the temptation to poke around private things (such as journals) is just too strong to resist when they’re already touching them.

Also, slipping tracts into people’s pockets is as bad as those that you find stuck under your car windshield, in your house windows, or shoved into your front door. I am always tempted to write them an email that says, “STOP WASTING PAPER.”

 

[John21652]

Pick pocketing is clearly a sin, as it is taking something from someone (theft.) Would there be a moral problem with ‘putting’ something into someones pocket with the same method?

Example: Someone might bump into a lady and drop an item into her purse. (Instead of bumping her to take something out.) Now I think the action itself is likely not morally wrong. Or is it? or does it depend on what you ‘put’ in their pocket?

Putting $5 dollars into someones coat is much different than putting something incriminating in there. But is it still an invasion of privacy to do so? would it be wrong to do so with a ‘tract’? With a gift card?

Pick pocketing is stealing. That’s a sin and a crime.

Putting something into a pocket is giving, which is neither a sin or a crime. In a sense, it is a little like shoving an envelope under someone’s door, or theorugh a mail slot. However, I think pockets are generally considered to be a little more private and we generally don’t like others shoving their hands into our pockets! So, if a poacket is considered as a part of someone’s private space, then it shouldn’t be invaded.

Putting something into someone’s pocket, or into their bag, is an invasion of privacy. It would be akin to leaving an envelope not under their door, but in their bedroom!! You could leave an envelope with a gift in someone’s bedroom and consider it as ‘giving’, but I don’t think the person to whom you gave the envelope would be too impressed!

 

[puzzleannie]

Pick pocketing is clearly a sin, as it is taking something from someone (theft.) Would there be a moral problem with ‘putting’ something into someones pocket with the same method?

I don’t understand the question. It is completely out of bounds to reach into someone’s purse or pocket without their knowledge and permission. Cannot understand why you would even ask.

 

[Nate13]

I do not believe it would be immoral to do so. Some people may see it as an invasion of their privacy, but that would depend on the culture, not just in terms of privacy but also in terms of how suspicious people are of charity.

 

[Allegra]

It’s rude to put your hands in other people’s pockets. I could see maybe doing it if it was a coat pocket and the person wasn’t wearing it at the time, AND it was something that the person may want. Definately not a tract. I think you should tell your friend to put them in the laundrymat like everyone else.

 

[NeedImprovement]

It is certainly a question that stimulates responses.

At first I thought… Not such a bad idea - someone conspicuously tucking a $ 50.00 bill in my pocket … I think I could live with that .:yup:

But upon reflection, I don’t know if I’d ever even get to spend it …… because I would be forever wondering how it got there in the first place, and that would probably lead me to start questioning my memory . ( I guess someone could always include an anoymous explanatory note with the gift).

There are some interesting stories which run parallel to this subject too. One that comes to mind involves the real St. Nicholas : It varies a little in the amount of details given depending on whose version we read.

According to several sources, a man who had fallen into poverty was about to give his three daughters over to prostitution - as a means for earning a living. St. Nicholas somehow got wind of the situation, so he secretly went out one night and flung a bag of gold through the sleeping man’s window .

Maybe we should get rid of Santa Claus and finally give the real St. Nicholas some credit.



Two links to brief accounts about St. Nicholas :

Lives of the Saints

Story of St. Nicholas, DCE,Orthodox Church in America

My opinion falls into line with John’s and Allegra’s and others’ posts who would see it as an invasion of privacy. But you guys made me smile - reminding me of my dear mum, who told me when I was only about 11 years old:

“Son, there are two ways in which you could live *a very short life on this earth *: The first one, is to ask a woman her age ; and the second one is to look in her purse!”

 

[TheWatcher]

Pick pocketing is stealing. That’s a sin and a crime.

Putting something into a pocket is giving, which is neither a sin or a crime. In a sense, it is a little like shoving an envelope under someone’s door, or theorugh a mail slot. However, I think pockets are generally considered to be a little more private and we generally don’t like others shoving their hands into our pockets! So, if a poacket is considered as a part of someone’s private space, then it shouldn’t be invaded.

Putting something into someone’s pocket, or into their bag, is an invasion of privacy. It would be akin to leaving an envelope not under their door, but in their bedroom!! You could leave an envelope with a gift in someone’s bedroom and consider it as ‘giving’, but I don’t think the person to whom you gave the envelope would be too impressed!

I thought that was a decent analogy.

Would threatening someone be a sin though? I think if someone left something on my bed, I would take that as a subtle threat: “I know where you sleep and I can get into your room whenever I want.”

 

[Bookcat]

What has he got in his pocket?..my precioussss

 

[Catholic90]

Would threatening someone be a sin though? I think if someone left something on my bed, I would take that as a subtle threat: “I know where you sleep and I can get into your room whenever I want.”

Threatening someone would be sin in my book.

 

[John21652]

I thought that was a decent analogy.

Would threatening someone be a sin though? I think if someone left something on my bed, I would take that as a subtle threat: “I know where you sleep and I can get into your room whenever I want.”

Don’t forget, as per the OP, you’ve left them a gift. That may mollify the person into whose bedroom you snuck to leave the gift, but then again, it may not. The present could very well be from a stalker. Either way, a person’s bedroom is supposedly a part of their sanctuary, which is their home and it is an innermost part of their sanctuary. Finding an anonymous gift on the bed would be disconcerting, to say the least and I’ve no doubt many would find it a gross invasion of privacy, despite the good intentions. At a minimum, it is trespass upon property. It is possibly trespass against the person as well. Notwothstanding, there is no need to go to such clandestine lengths to be generous to someone and in that I would include stuffing a gift into someone’s pocket. That, too, could be very disconcerting.