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Piracy as a sin

fatherforgivethem

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Piracy is a sin, that's pretty clear. I really want to watch a series and a movie that looks cool, but I didn't find any way to buy it or an official streaming company (like Netflix/Amazon prime) in my country that has the movie/series I wanna watch available. I didn't find any way to watch it legally.
But I found this series/movie available to watch on a pirate site.

So, in this very specific case where I can't find it legally, is it still a sin to watch it through the pirate site?
 
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adderbolt

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Christianity always comes down to choices. During the latter portion of first century and beyond 'emperor worship' was compulsory in the Roman world. You had to burn a tiny pinch of incense to the emperor on an altar and you were rewarded with a certificate -- this was a yearly thing. Christians who lack the certificate were subject to charges of treason and subject to the death penalty.

Just a pinch of incense -- a moment of your time -- a simple choice with eternal consequences.

"If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”' - Joshua 24.
 
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.Mikha'el.

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Piracy is a sin, that's pretty clear. I really want to watch a series and a movie that looks cool, but I didn't find any way to buy it or an official streaming company (like Netflix/Amazon prime) in my country that has the movie/series I wanna watch available. I didn't find any way to watch it legally.
But I found this series/movie available to watch on a pirate site.

So, in this very specific case where I can't find it legally, is it still a sin to watch it through the pirate site?
Piracy is a sin, that's pretty clear. I really want to watch a series and a movie that looks cool, but I didn't find any way to buy it or an official streaming company (like Netflix/Amazon prime) in my country that has the movie/series I wanna watch available. I didn't find any way to watch it legally.
But I found this series/movie available to watch on a pirate site.

So, in this very specific case where I can't find it legally, is it still a sin to watch it through the pirate site?

I only go to a pirate site if there's a specific program I absolutely can not find anywhere else, and I usually give a small financial donation to the site as a means of "paying" for the content.
 
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adderbolt

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I only go to a pirate site if there's a specific program I absolutely can not find anywhere else, and I usually give a small financial donation to the site as a means of "paying" for the content.

Receiving stolen goods!

Possessing stolen goods!

You can continue to forgive yourself or ask God for forgiveness.
 
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fatherforgivethem

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Well, I looked where I could to watch it legally and I didn't find it... that means I will never be able to watch the movies and series I wanted to, because it is a sin, even in this very specific situtation.


Now I also just discovered I'll need to remove all my photos and images, like for example this profile picture of a sea turtle that I use, because I don't know if it has copyright... but if it has, I am committing a sin using it.
 
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Servus

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During a time of complacency I used to do it. But these days I won't go anywhere near it. That's my personal conviction. I even questioned if it was immoral to watch "free with ads" movies on YouTube while having my ad blocker running.
 
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Servus

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Well, I looked where I could to watch it legally and I didn't find it... that means I will never be able to watch the movies and series I wanted to, because it is a sin, even in this very specific situtation.


Now I also just discovered I'll need to remove all my photos and images, like for example this profile picture of a sea turtle that I use, because I don't know if it has copyright... but if it has, I am committing a sin using it.


It's too late here and I need to sleep, I hope God understands and have mercy on me, but when I wake up I'll remove every profile picture I use everywhere and ask for forgiveness for sinning.

Find photos that are public domain.
 
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Servus

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Yeah, ad blockers are also a sin, right?

Well in the case of something described as "free with ads" it seemed questionable. But there's nothing in the user agreement that says you have to watch the ads or that you can't use an ad blocker. Unlike a pirate site adblock isn't illegal.
 
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fatherforgivethem

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Yes... but many sites maintain themselves just by ads, so when you are visiting it using an ad blocker you are utilizing their content without "paying the tax" which are the ads.

There are actually some websites that don't let you browse them if you don't remove the ad blocker on their site.

I don't know, it looks like a sin to me, just like piracy or using an image with copyright.
 
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fatherforgivethem

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My computer has pirated Windows, but I didn't choose it, it just came with it. Is this also a sin?

I don't have conditions to buy another computer now, but I'm also afraid of sinning while keep using my computer as I need to during my routine.

I'm afraid it's my OCD taking over and starting to overthink everything...
 
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Servus

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Yes... but many sites maintain themselves just by ads, so when you are visiting it using an ad blocker you are utilizing their content without "paying the tax" which are the ads.

There are actually some websites that don't let you browse them if you don't remove the ad blocker on their site.

I don't know, it looks like a sin to me, just like piracy or using an image with copyright.

Piracy sites are illegal. There's no question as to whether or not it's okay to use them.

If a site doesn't want you using adblock they as you say can block you in return or stipulate that using an adblock is against their rules of use or terms of service.

As far as I know copyright laws are usually not an issue regarding something like using a picture you found off the internet as an avatar, as long as you're not making money by using it or generally up to no good.

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abs257

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Piracy is a sin, that's pretty clear. I really want to watch a series and a movie that looks cool, but I didn't find any way to buy it or an official streaming company (like Netflix/Amazon prime) in my country that has the movie/series I wanna watch available. I didn't find any way to watch it legally.
But I found this series/movie available to watch on a pirate site.

So, in this very specific case where I can't find it legally, is it still a sin to watch it through the pirate site?

If the series is available on Netflix/Amazon Prime/whatever in another country, use a VPN with a server in that country. VPNs are legal and you would still be paying for what you want to watch.

Even so, it's still not clear cut. In my opinion, with how VPNs work, it would be like wanting to buy something only available in a certain country, so you get it delivered to a friend in said country who then forwards it to you. But, one could argue, that with the VPN route, you'd be lying that you are in that country, so I really don't know...
 
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Servus

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My computer has pirated Windows, but I didn't choose it, it just came with it. Is this also a sin?

I don't have conditions to buy another computer now, but I'm also afraid of sinning while keep using my computer as I need to during my routine.

I'm afraid it's my OCD taking over and starting to overthink everything...
I did a brief check and you can download Widows for free. So I'd say to look into that. Generally Microsoft wants you to use Windows which is why it comes free when you buy a computer and why you can download it for free. I'd be concerned about a pirated version of a free product containing malware or whatever.

Look into it. You should be able to replace your pirated version from what I've seen.
 
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Astrid

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Piracy is a sin, that's pretty clear. I really want to watch a series and a movie that looks cool, but I didn't find any way to buy it or an official streaming company (like Netflix/Amazon prime) in my country that has the movie/series I wanna watch available. I didn't find any way to watch it legally.
But I found this series/movie available to watch on a pirate site.

So, in this very specific case where I can't find it legally, is it still a sin to watch it through the pirate site?

As an atheist, I dont think in terms of " sin".

Theft is clearly unethical.

Now, the bible says "thou shalt not..."

Human law is more subtle, and allows for
" extenuating circumstances".

Steal medicine to save a life? We would readily forgive that.
Life is full of choices, less dramatic generally, but that call
on us to do "wrong" for a greater right
Drive above the speed limit in an emergency. Lots
of things.

Do you feel you have extenuating circumstances such as leave
no choice but to take the lesser evil?

IFNOT, then piracy is just giving in to self indulgence,
a root of much evil. That is the big mistake, or sin, if you will.
 
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pc_76

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No. I doubt God intended for people to give money or sign a "mark" with an immoral or corrupt institution that has been known to with-hold certain content and edit parts of what it does publish for some agenda, just to enjoy the works of others.

IMO if anything piracy (in the online context at least) is outside of morality.
 
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