Is stealing images off the Internet and giving them away a sin?

If the owner has a copyright and/or the artist asks others to ask for permission to use and one doesn't ask, I believe that is a sin as it goes against this principle laid down by our Lord...

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (Mat 7:12)

It is not declared a sin anywhere in the Bible. Your real question is (or should be) "Is it ethical?"

Jesus' Golden Rule* is the best guide for most ethical dilemmas.

*"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12 NKJV

Jags said:

...when u cheat on schools tests its stealing is that also a sin?

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[Actually, it is lying...]

You are trying to live your Christianity in worldly terms. Your "Is this sin?" questions miss the point of having Jesus as your Lord & Savior.

The real questions are,

• Does Jesus want you to take the images (as stated in the OP)?
• Is Jesus okay with you cheating on tests?

Trying to live on your own terms of righteousness (if you do it long enough) actually disqualifies you from Salvation. You are are rejecting the price that He paid.

Accept His Salvation. Let Him lead you, in all parts of your life.

Jags said:

Also could u answer this i heard someone say when u cheat on schools tests its stealing is that also a sin?

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yes. cheating is stealing.

Jags said:

I have a few people which steal images off the Internet and give them to me for no reason is stealing images off the Internet a sin?

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If you shorten your question, I think you have answered it yourself.

Jags said:

is stealing <snip> a sin?

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Jags said:

I have a few people which steal images off the Internet and give them to me for no reason is stealing images off the Internet a sin?

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The second verb in your thread header answers your question.

Jags said:

I have a few people which steal images off the Internet and give them to me for no reason is stealing images off the Internet a sin?

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There's some general summaries of sin and the law in Romans 13 and 14, they're pretty good guidelines especially when the bible isn't explicit.

Jags said:

Thanks for the responses just got in believing in god / became a Christan. so would love to know most things i should do and stop doing.

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Ah ok. Amen brother! And welcome to CF

Jags said:

Thanks for the responses just got in believing in god / became a Christan. so would love to know most things i should do and stop doing.

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Well, stealing is one of the "do not's" named in the Ten Commandments, so the answer to the questions being asked here is clear-cut, I would think.

Jags said:

Thanks for the responses just got in believing in god / became a Christan. so would love to know most things i should do and stop doing.

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Faith in Jesus through the Scriptures is the best start.

Jags said:

so would love to know most things i should do and stop doing.

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A fixed set of rules isn't going to help you. Doing/not doing what is clear to you in your Bible and whatever else the Holy Spirit impresses on you. You will become more fine-tuned as you walk with Him a while.

Jags said:

Thanks for the responses just got in believing in god / became a Christan. so would love to know most things i should do and stop doing.

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We are not in any way "saved" because of the things we do or don't do. Our salvation is based solely on Jesus' righteousness, which is now counted as ours, provided we believe and depend totally on Him. Jesus will change our nature, so that we reflect that righteousness, as we trust Him.

Eph 2:8-9 (WEB) for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, that no one would boast.

Christ is to be the foundation of our life in Him. When we become a new creature in Christ, we depend on Him only to conform our life to Kingdom standards.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.

Our old nature, and sometimes our ignorance, is in conflict with the new creation we desire to become. When we resist His changes or fail to understand how to behave, he is patient -- but when we know we have fallen short, we need to come humbly to Him and ask Him to help us.

Bible passages about ethical behavior are for our benefit, to let us know what the ideal is. God wants us to understand and choose righteous actions, not to be under compulsion. If you are truly a child of God your behavior will change, but only as you are willing to follow His guidance.

Jags said:

I have a few people which steal images off the Internet and give them to me for no reason is stealing images off the Internet a sin?

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Stealing is wrong. But is copying same as stealing? Not in my opinion.

Are we talking memes that are being shared or what? Basically, if it's publicly on the internet, it's in public domain.

Another way to look at it is, what is appropriate for someone who wants to be an example of Christ-like behavior? Any action contrary to "love your neighbor as yourself" or "love God" is not desirable.

Jags said:

I have a few people which steal images off the Internet and give them to me for no reason is stealing images off the Internet a sin?

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Now we're asking about the ethical thing to do, not whether it is in some list.

If someone is "stealing" images from the Internet, then presumably it is unethical. But not all copying of images is in fact stealing. If the creator gives permission for a particular use, then it is ok to use it that way. In the US at least, there is a legal principle of "fair use" which may allow you to use copyrighted materials in limited ways. As Christians, if we know someone would disapprove of our use we probably shouldn't use it, even if it is legal. But usually following "fair use" standards would not be objectionable to the creator.

Jags said:

Also could u answer this i heard someone say when u cheat on schools tests its stealing is that also a sin?

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In almost all cases, anything you would call "cheating" would be unethical.

By default, all writing and art is copyrighted, no notice required. I don't know what the expectation is for re-use of art on that site, of course. If you're not sure if it is ok to use it after reading the site's policies and the artists comments (if any), then I suggest you contact the artist and ask him or her if it's ok.

Your desire to be sure you are not infringing on other's rights is admirable, and unfortunately rare these days.