Would purchasing this be sinful?

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PerfectTiming

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This probably seems like a pretty trivial question but it does have a lot of implications I feel.

Basically, is it sinful to make a purchase that could fund or financially benefit illicit activities or someone who does such things even if the money would not fund those activities?

To put it in a context, I recently wanted to purchase a song on iTunes by Joan Jett. I was looking up the song and discovered that it was originally by Gary Glitter, a convicted pedophile. So even though the song I want is a cover, royalties still have to paid to the original artist and for obvious reasons I am reluctant to contribute to that.

But is it sinful? And if it is, doesn’t that mean we have an obligation to make sure the companies that we purchase things from aren’t using the money for sinful purposes?
 
In my personal opinion…it is up to your morals. I do see your point, helping that pedophile person by buying that song is probably not what I would want either…but I do not see it as a sin…:confused:

God bless
 
PerfectTiming said:
But is it sinful? And if it is, doesn’t that mean we have an obligation to make sure the companies that we purchase things from aren’t using the money for sinful purposes?
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You can’t pay your taxes and avoid that!

Knowing that a pedophile profits from the song has likely ruined it for you. Will you ever be able to listen to it WITHOUT thinking about that?
 
There is nothing wrong with not purchasing the song for the reason you mention. However, you should not be worrying about sin here. Especially if you like the music, then buy it.
 
The purchase doesn’t promote pedophilia. Ex-cons are allowed to earn money. But, yeah, it should be tough to enjoy the song.
 
PerfectTiming said:
This probably seems like a pretty trivial question but it does have a lot of implications I feel.

Basically, is it sinful to make a purchase that could fund or financially benefit illicit activities or someone who does such things even if the money would not fund those activities?

To put it in a context, I recently wanted to purchase a song on iTunes by Joan Jett. I was looking up the song and discovered that it was originally by Gary Glitter, a convicted pedophile. So even though the song I want is a cover, royalties still have to paid to the original artist and for obvious reasons I am reluctant to contribute to that.

But is it sinful? And if it is, doesn’t that mean we have an obligation to make sure the companies that we purchase things from aren’t using the money for sinful purposes?
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If you go with your line of thinking, you wont be able to purchase anything. All companies have some corruption in them. All major corporations have illicit funds flowing thru them also. Yes its trivial.
 
Trying to ensure that no portion of any money you spend does not go to someone who has sinned or promotes sin is an uphill battle.

Take that tube of Toothpaste Y you bought from Mega-Retaler X. Even if the manufacturer of Toothpaste Y or the corporation of Mega-Retalier X do not give money directly to immoral causes, there are so many other variables. Perhaps the assembly worker at the toothpaste factory – whose wage is paid for by the profits of the toothpaste you purchased – will use the money he makes to purchase pornography, or contraception, or both. Maybe the cashier at Mega-Retailer X – whose wage is also paid for by the profits of the toothpaste you purchased – will use the money she makes to pay for an abortion.

I think that, if it makes you feel uneasy to purchase it, there certainly is no harm in not purchasing it. But it is pretty well impossible to ensure that none of our money goes to someone who holds anti-Catholic beliefs.
 
Thank you all for your help and advice 🙂
I’ve decided for now to not purchase it and think some more, I think my mom may have it somewhere (she’s a huge Joan Jett fan).
And I do see what you all mean about not really being able to avoid making purchases that might fund/be related to sinful activities.
You’d have to go live somewhere in total isolation being entirely self-sufficient.
 
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