Preparing for confession - need advice

What makes you think downloading stuff is a sin? Did you download these things illegally?

Ephesians 4:8 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.

You illegally downloaded something that was another person's property(the item(s) weren't paid for< the creator(s) of that stuff didn't get paid. Just because there's so many places online that offer pirated stuff don't make it OK to acquire movies, music etc without paying for them. If you went to a store that carried those movies or music you'd have to pay for it.
Like the ad for pirating/illegal downloading says...it's not a victimless crime...the people who wrote/produced those movies and music didn't get paid.

You know, I can't afford a lot of stuff... so I get the library to get the book, music or movie that I want, that is, if my church don't have it. I also borrow books, movies, music from friends, or suggest those things I mentioned as gift ideas when I'm asked what would I like for my birthday, or anniversary etc.

Pirating/illegal downloading laws (gov)...Romans 13:1-4 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, tan avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

OP, I think that this is an issue you can talk over with your confessor. He will be able to guide and advise you appropriately.

SilvaMay said:

I'm going through time when I accepted that downloading media (music, movies) is a sin and I avoid it since then (also have confessed it already). Recently I also started with deleting all downloaded stuf, for I've read on forums that people do it and I see point of it (not keeping stolen things). For me it is long process, 'cause I've had emotional bond to them. I'm working on weakening the bond by not using the things and deleting them in parts, but I still have few things left.

I think about going to confession in a few days so here is my question. Do I need to confess that I haven't already deleted all downloaded things? Is it actual sin?

Thank you very much for help.

Click to expand...

Explain the whole thing and let the priest ask you what he may. For sure, if you think something is a sin or may be a sin...but hold back on confessing it...you're defying the purpose of the confession.

SilvaMay said:

I'm going through time when I accepted that downloading media (music, movies) is a sin and I avoid it since then (also have confessed it already). Recently I also started with deleting all downloaded stuf, for I've read on forums that people do it and I see point of it (not keeping stolen things). For me it is long process, 'cause I've had emotional bond to them. I'm working on weakening the bond by not using the things and deleting them in parts, but I still have few things left.

I think about going to confession in a few days so here is my question. Do I need to confess that I haven't already deleted all downloaded things? Is it actual sin?

Thank you very much for help.

Click to expand...

I went through the same process—that is, gradually eliminating my copies of music. I'm not saying it is OK not to get rid of it all immediately, but that's the way it was for me. It helped of course to just buy the ones I wish I didn't have to give away. That also happened gradually (i.e., went on after the stuff was all trashed).

Confession of sin means different things to different people. Scripturally, it means agreeing in your heart with God about what is right and what is wrong. Usually tightly coupled is that you are stopping the sin, because if you are really agreeing with God, you are going to feel horrible until you actually stop. Even after you stop you might continue to be condemning of yourself (but you shouldn't). You could ask your priest what it means, if you want to confess in accordance with his understanding of what it should be.

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Btw, for people that don't understand why the original poster posted, here is a quick version of American Copyright Law. Other countries' copyright laws are different. However, please start another thread if you want to discuss it.

The owner of a copyright has the exclusive right to do and to authorize others to do the following (mostly from LegalZoom):

1. Reproduce the work
2. Prepare derivative works based on the work
3. Distribute copies of the work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, such as by rental, lease or lending
4. Perform the work publicly. This applies to literary, musical, dramatic and choreographic works, pantomimes, and motion pictures and other audiovisual works
5. Display the copyrighted work publicly. This applies to literary, musical, dramatic, and choreographic works, pantomimes, and pictorial, graphic or sculptural works, including the individual images of a motion picture or other audiovisual work
6. Fair Use is when it is OK to use a portion of a copyrighted work without permission for a limited and transformative purpose, such as to parody, criticize, or comment upon.

Simple example: acquiring a copy of a song for personal enjoyment that the owner requires payment for is a violation of copyright law.

Just be honest when you confess which you actually have done already. Jesus will help you. When we repent we make an effort or the choice to change our mind and then do it.

We confess to God and guess what He already knows!
If you feel you need to confess to someone else and need extra help with the repenting then do so.

I think its best to remove any stumbling stones or things that weigh you down but sometimes that doesnt happen straightaway just as long as you can get it done and do what Is most pleasing to GOd.

Just noticed you are catholic. Well Im not so cant really advise the way things work in a catholic church.

If you are a believer and not in a catholic church all we do is talk to our Father directly and ask for forgiveness, we can do that anywhere. We can come boldy to the throne of grace and obtain mercy because of Jesus. He will show us what to do.