Stealing

[mikeanayaus]

I have a question, is stealing always a mortal sin? The reason I ask is this, I went out with some friends on Saturday and they shoplifted some headphones because mine were broken. I didn’t ask them to, they just wanted to listen to music. I didn’t feel comfortable with them doing that, so I didn’t go with them when they stole, but I was staying at their house and they gave me the headphones afterwards. I wasn’t sure whether I have committed a mortal sin or not, but I received communion on Sunday and am not sure whether I committed a mortal sin or not. What should I do with the headphones, throw them away, donate the cost of them, or something else? On Sunday I told them I didn’t approve of them shoplifting and for them not to do it around me because it messes with my conscience. I’m just confused as to whether I received in a state of sin or not.

 

[promethius95945]

In your place I would go to the store that the shoplifting occured from and explain to the manager that one of your friends stole the headphones and gave them to you and that you would like to pay for the product. You are not accountable for the actions of others, but you ARE accountable for making this situation right, since you are the recipient of the stolen item.

 

[mchale]

I think the mistake you made was accepting the headphones with the knowledge they were stolen. Aside from the moral consequences, knowingly accepting stolen merchandise is a crime.

Ultimately, I agree with the poster who says you must pay for the merchandise.

–
Bill

 

[FCEGM]

You’ve received good advice. Also, find new friends! If you are with these “friends” of yours when they decide to do something illegal you will find yourself with the same consequences they receive.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

The headphones belong to a store and you must return them.

 

[puzzleannie]

accepting property that you know to be stolen, either as a gift or paying for it, is also a sin, and could also be illegal so you better return it.

 

[junk]

If they’re no longer in their original packaging now, they probably won’t let you return them and instead will make you pay. It seems like you were confused and uncertain when you accepted the headphones, so you might not have committed a mortal sin, because to do so would have required full knowledge.

 

[catsrus]

I confess to almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, and I ask Blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. Amen.

You failed to stop them from shoplifting (failed to do)
You failed by taking possession of the stolen merchandise with full knowledge it was stolen. (what I have done)
Yes, you must go to Confession before receiving.
And you must return to the store and make it right.

 

[TexRose]

Uh oh!! I agree, knowing that they were stolen, you shouldn’t have accepted them. I would have told my friends “No thank you.”
Now that they are probably not in their packaging, i’d go to the store,explain to them and pay for them…then go to confession.
We all make mistakes and God is a loving and forgiving God.

 

[tptram]

to mikeanayaus,
be strong, ask the Holy Spirit for courage.
this is the chance that you can show to yourselve that you can do the right thing even if it’s hard.

this is a step to grow spiritually.

you can do it.

Tak