What do i do?

JesusIsLord_ said:

If you don't want to worry unnecessarily about something more, don't read it




I have this certain item, one of my parents gave to me. You know these fake cheap chinese things we buy?

So, it's illegal (i think it is, probably) and imoral because it's a ripoff of a original product. So it's wrong to buy those things. But it's already bought, if it's up to me i won't buy it again.

But should I keep it? I don't even use it that much, if it was up to me I'd throw it away, but it would be a huge disrespect to my parents if i did that. It was a gift, and they can't give me a original. I'm a minor, I have to be subject to them. I can't just throw it away. But should i? I feel like the Holy Spirit wants me to throw it away because it's not ok to have ripoffs. What should i do? It's working perfectly, and i can't lie of course. What do i do?

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Your conscience is most important, because it bears witness in the sight of God. How thoroughly have you determined it to be immoral? This is important because there is a risk that you might offend your parents, who have obviously determined that it is not immoral in their view. You would be criticising their sense of morality (maybe it is right to do this, maybe it is not, and maybe it is kind to do it, maybe it is kind to not do it.. it all depends, really. Matthew 7:12 is the perfect definition of morality).

For example, I too am of the opinion that intellectual property claims of copyright are vastly immoral - despite that legislators and judges might hold a different opinion. But, on the other hand, I agree that it is sometimes moral for copyright claims that guard intellectual property to be enforced (for example, the production of a movie is an investment that must be recovered through subsequent sales, according to the present funding model).

Are you able to tell us the type of item it is and why it is so necessary to you that your family has gifted it? What is the reason that you believe the copyright owner should be morally entitled to exclusively produce this item (aside from an assumption that law defines morality, because it is well established that human law is not necessarily moral, it is only the official rule for directing force in society).

JesusIsLord_ said:

If you don't want to worry unnecessarily about something more, don't read it




I have this certain item, one of my parents gave to me. You know these fake cheap chinese things we buy?

So, it's illegal (i think it is, probably) and imoral because it's a ripoff of a original product. So it's wrong to buy those things. But it's already bought, if it's up to me i won't buy it again.

But should I keep it? I don't even use it that much, if it was up to me I'd throw it away, but it would be a huge disrespect to my parents if i did that. It was a gift, and they can't give me a original. I'm a minor, I have to be subject to them. I can't just throw it away. But should i? I feel like the Holy Spirit wants me to throw it away because it's not ok to have ripoffs. What should i do? It's working perfectly, and i can't lie of course. What do i do?

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Not a lot to worry about, I'm guessing. Is it some sort of idol that people worship? Need more info.

JesusIsLord_ said:

I already decided what am i going to do, i still feel guilty tho. But it's good to know that not everyone is so paranoid i guess.

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It is not good to feel guilty because it is a foothold for the devil. That's pretty much what the gospel teaches - abolishing the constricting code of rules and regulations for freedom of knowing we are blameless in God's sight as our conscience bears witness.

I hope you are able to clear your conscience then, because it sounds like you have chosen to believe that it has been misled. Otherwise, it is what we call "cognitive dissonance".

Remember that St. Paul was saying that some have a weak conscience and that he would do nothing that makes his brother stumble.. So its not good to just fit in with the crowd if it means you need to act dishonestly to your own convictions, and your parents would respect this too if you were to explain it to them.

JesusIsLord_ said:

Is it a sin to keep it? Or is it like the case of the meat sacrificed to idols like Paul said, he said it wasn't a sin but some people with weaker faith think it is...

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I cannot make that judgement without knowing the nature of the item and the so-called infringement of intellectual property.

JesusIsLord_ said:

aaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I wish i could just throw it away but i can't


Do i rest knowing I've already asked forgiveness and won't do it again if that's up to me? Am i forgiven? It's Christmas Eve and i can't rest because of this. I feel guilty and like I'm trying to "cover up" my sins, or chosing my parents over Jesus.

I can't talk to my parents about this because they'd be upset and think I'm an ungrateful brat, and just think worrying too much as usual. And of course be worried about me.


!!!!!!!!!!

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Dear Heavenly Father, please give our sister peace of mind so that she can enjoy Christmas with her family, and then give her wisdom so that she can work out the answer in the coming days. We trust your goodness Lord, so that even if it is right that she should give it up, then you will make a way for her to do it so that it will not offend her parents. So we commit this into your hands and ask for your peace to flow through sister, to fill her with joy and gladness for the very special day in honour of you. In Jesus' name, amen.

.. yeah, so just accept that it is covered by God's grace, and do not let it interfere with your special day tomorrow After the New Year, things will settle down again and if it still niggles at your conscience, then you can softly raise the topic with your folks, let them know that you are having conflict with your conscience and they will be understanding.

I'm not seeing a clear sin here. Do you know for a fact that there was a patent, trademark, or copyright violation in producing it?

JesusIsLord_ said:

It says it's a certain brand but it's not, so I guess.

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I am wondering why they have done this .. would it have been just as good if it was their own brand name? Would it have still breached patents if it had their own brand name?

JesusIsLord_ said:

Is it ok for me to stop thinking about this before i solve it? I feel horrible and with cause, because I'm sinning. But i can't solve this immediately. Ugh


If i throw it away i have a problem, if i don't i have a problem..

I wish i could just stop thinking

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Yes, you can accept that God does not hold it against you and claim His grace to stand against all accusations, because in your heart you want to please Him, and it is not your sin that is making you keep it. You have chosen to keep it temporarily of wisdom - in your mercy you do not want to offend your parents by judging them. (Proverbs 10:1).

.. If you hang on to it until after New Year then you can tell them that you have tried to not be judgemental but that your conscience will not let you rest. You can also make sure they know that you are grateful, and they will respect you for that. But you'll need to make sure your reason is robust so that they can understand that your conscience is right and that you are not being silly or self-righteous (remember, many people already know that human law is sometimes immoral - and if they are right, then it is actually a reproach to them).

But relax for now, you've done all you can do and with patience you will resolve it without doing any harm. Be grateful for God's grace and be thankful to your folks for being so kind and thoughtful - they did what they could - to bless you! Enjoy your time together, may your Christmas be truly blessed in Jesus' name

JesusIsLord_ said:

Is it ok for me to stop thinking about this before i solve it? I feel horrible and with cause, because I'm sinning. But i can't solve this immediately. Ugh
If i throw it away i have a problem, if i don't i have a problem..
I wish i could just stop thinking

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Are you in a good church with a trustworthy and wise pastor?

I suggest you talk to him (or her) about it with all of the specifics.

JesusIsLord_ said:

If you don't want to worry unnecessarily about something more, don't read it




I have this certain item, one of my parents gave to me. You know these fake cheap chinese things we buy?

So, it's illegal (i think it is, probably) and imoral because it's a ripoff of a original product. So it's wrong to buy those things. But it's already bought, if it's up to me i won't buy it again.

But should I keep it? I don't even use it that much, if it was up to me I'd throw it away, but it would be a huge disrespect to my parents if i did that. It was a gift, and they can't give me a original. I'm a minor, I have to be subject to them. I can't just throw it away. But should i? I feel like the Holy Spirit wants me to throw it away because it's not ok to have ripoffs. What should i do? It's working perfectly, and i can't lie of course. What do i do?

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Give it to charity, tell your folks it fell to pieces or you lost it.

Everyone’s happy.

JesusIsLord_ said:

aaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I wish i could just throw it away but i can't


Do i rest knowing I've already asked forgiveness and won't do it again if that's up to me? Am i forgiven? It's Christmas Eve and i can't rest because of this. I feel guilty and like I'm trying to "cover up" my sins, or chosing my parents over Jesus.

I can't talk to my parents about this because they'd be upset and think I'm an ungrateful brat, and just think worrying too much as usual. And of course be worried about me.


!!!!!!!!!!

Click to expand...

Why can't you talk to your parents, why would they be upset? If they are good parents and I'm sure they are, then like good parents they will listen to what is troubling their child and respect your reason for feeling unable to accept their gift. They may even be pleased to know that you do not want to do something you fear may be incorrect. My own children are now mature adults with children of their own, but what I told them as children still holds true today, that they should never be afraid to talk to their parents if something was troubling them.
Perhaps it may be possible for your parents to get a refund on the article they bought you and replace it with something that will not cause any difficulty, but in any case, do talk to them.