Would it be a sin to download games for free that are not free?

[Jags]

I Found a website that has many games that are paid on steam would it be a sin to download them and play them for free?

 

[NW82]

Unless its freeware or abandonware, i.e. does not have a software license for sale, then what you are suggesting is theft, and in turn a sin.

 

[HARK!]

I don't know much about Steam or Federal laws on this; but I do know the Bible.

(CLV) Mt 7:12
All, then, whatever you should be wanting that men should be doing to you, thus you, also, be doing to them, for this is the law and the prophets.

Ask yourself; if you had spent a good chunk of your life, learning how to write games, and then, at long last, finally writing one that people like.

It's now payday for you.

How would you feel if people started finding a way to take all of your hard work, and use it without paying you?

 

[lsume]

I Found a website that has many games that are paid on steam would it be a sin to download them and play them for free?

If it’s stealing then yes. How many people use software they didn’t pay for? How about using Netflix that you didn’t pay for? The Good Lord will Tell you when your sinning. If you don’t listen long enough, you will stop hearing him.

 

[lismore]

Pay the money, you'll feel better.

 

[jasonMalloy1999]

pay the money man its stealing also u getting any of the new consoles this year xbox series x im coming for that lol

 

[HARK!]

The Good Lord will Tell you when your sinning. If you don’t listen long enough, you will stop hearing him.

 

[Jags]

pay the money man its stealing also u getting any of the new consoles this year xbox series x im coming for that lol

Nah man not into any consoles and don't plan on playing video games in the upcoming yrs lol i did this in the past and just wanted to know if it was a sin to continue this

 

[ColoRaydo]

Years ago a coworker gave me a bunch of pirated songs and programs. I put them on my computer. A couple of weeks later my computer fried itself.

Viruses? Maybe.
God teaching me a lesson? I think so.

I don’t do that anymore because it’s stealing, regardless of who actually stole it.

 

[lsume]

I don't know much about Steam or Federal laws on this; but I do know the Bible.

(CLV) Mt 7:12
All, then, whatever you should be wanting that men should be doing to you, thus you, also, be doing to them, for this is the law and the prophets.

Ask yourself; if you had spent a good chunk of your life, learning how to write games, and then, at long last, finally writing one that people like.

It's now payday for you.

How would you feel if people started finding a way to take all of your hard work, and use it without paying you?

Your example of writing code was a good one. I have written a lot code over the years and now I’m retired.

 

[PeterJames0510]

From our customer/consumer side - yes, that would be stealing and we shouldn't knowingly do it.

From a business end - I know where I work, we have some DLC. It's been debated back and forth in meetings whether or not we should put security in place so you can only download one for a certain length and not make it copy-able.

From a business standpoint personally, if people are taking DLC content and giving to friends, etc. - it's the price of doing business and not being jerkish at the customer service level.

Still, as a consumer - we ought to pay for everything we are supposed to pay for.

 

[lsume]

I Found a website that has many games that are paid on steam would it be a sin to download them and play them for free?

I think I commented on your topic in brief. I believe that you already know it’s wrong and sinful. The serious danger to Christians is when we try to justify sin. Only one place that I’m aware of in the Bible that States “the mystery of iniquity doth already work”. There is also a verse in Proverbs 14:12. If you are truly serious about the topic, I would very much like to share some truths that have been stepped in. Even a number of professing Christian Churches malign The True Word as I have seen it. In this format there are a number of lurking interlopers who’s only mission is to upset legitimate posts. I am not their judge nor do I ever want to be. I believe that everyone will get the chance to know The Truth before judgement. I pray that you seek The Truth. You might want to read the beginning of 2 Thessalonians 2. As I recall It States in part “because they loved not the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness”. I have definitely seen some of God’s Truth as it relates to man’s desire to flee from The Truth. In this past year, give or take, I felt compelled to share The Good news with an employee at our local Home Depot. As I recall, I made a brief comment to which the guy said something like he would rather go to hell than become a Christian. I’ve seen evidence of this type of mind set before and it is not good.


Prov.14

1. [12] There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

 

[PeterJames0510]

I think I commented on your topic in brief. I believe that you already know it’s wrong and sinful. The serious danger to Christians is when we try to justify sin. Only one place that I’m aware of in the Bible that States “the mystery of iniquity doth already work”. There is also a verse in Proverbs 14:12. If you are truly serious about the topic, I would very much like to share some truths that have been stepped in. Even a number of professing Christian Churches malign The True Word as I have seen it. In this format there are a number of lurking interlopers who’s only mission is to upset legitimate posts. I am not their judge nor do I ever want to be. I believe that everyone will get the chance to know The Truth before judgement. I pray that you seek The Truth. You might want to read the beginning of 2 Thessalonians 2. As I recall It States in part “because they loved not the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness”. I have definitely seen some of God’s Truth as it relates to man’s desire to flee from The Truth. In this past year, give or take, I felt compelled to share The Good news with an employee at our local Home Depot. As I recall, I made a brief comment to which the guy said something like he would rather go to hell than become a Christian. I’ve seen evidence of this type of mind set before and it is not good.


Prov.14

1. [12] There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

I might buy that; but seriously, the vast amount of Christian churches are paying CCLI licenses to sing songs that they don't need to pay. There is enough law in the United States that songs played in church for sacred reasons is considered fair use and doesn't require a license.

I find an informed conscience is what is needed; sometimes we feel guilty for things that there is nothing to feel guilty about.

 

[lsume]

I might buy that; but seriously, the vast amount of Christian churches are paying CCLI licenses to sing songs that they don't need to pay. There is enough law in the United States that songs played in church for sacred reasons is considered fair use and doesn't require a license.
That is true it seems and I don’t think I’ve ever thought about it that way. The Word Teaches us to judge ourselves as
I find an informed conscience is what is needed; sometimes we feel guilty for things that there is nothing to feel guilty about.

I might buy that; but seriously, the vast amount of Christian churches are paying CCLI licenses to sing songs that they don't need to pay. There is enough law in the United States that songs played in church for sacred reasons is considered fair use and doesn't require a license.

I find an informed conscience is what is needed; sometimes we feel guilty for things that there is nothing to feel guilty about.

I think that the church should pay the nominal fee involved to use music that was made by someone else and possibly arranged by someone else. However, if the church has been given permission to use the music, great! I’m not the judge but I have witnessed some negative examples of people trying to align God’s Word with their sinful behavior. This is more serious than you might know. At any rate, asking Christ to keep you is what is needed. Everything that comes out of The Mouth of Christ is Truth. The Word teaches that the father of lies is satan.

 

[PeterJames0510]

I think that the church should pay the nominal fee involved to use music that was made by someone else and possibly arranged by someone else. However, if the church has been given permission to use the music, great! I’m not the judge but I have witnessed some negative examples of people trying to align God’s Word with their sinful behavior. This is more serious than you might know. At any rate, asking Christ to keep you is what is needed. Everything that comes out of The Mouth of Christ is Truth. The Word teaches that the father of lies is satan.

I would disagree. A Christian is not bound to buy CCLI or even feel guilty about it because of this provision in the law:

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106 [the copyright holder’s rights], the following are not infringements of copyright: […]

(3) performance of a nondramatic literary or musical work or of a dramatico-musical work of a religious nature, or display of a work, in the course of services at a place of worship or other religious assembly[.] 17 USC §110

And here's the link to the law: Chapter 1 - Circular 92 | U.S. Copyright Office

See what I mean about an informed conscience? Most churches THINK they have to buy CCLI and are guilted into doing so. They don't need to ask permission under this stipulation of the law and all CCLI attempts to say otherwise is to feed off the ignorance of people. Who is doing the wrong thing, then?

My point is make sure you have a FULLY INFORMED conscience before feeling guilty about stuff you don't need to feel guilty about. - Peter James

 

[lsume]

I would disagree. A Christian is not bound to buy CCLI or even feel guilty about it because of this provision in the law:

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106 [the copyright holder’s rights], the following are not infringements of copyright: […]

(3) performance of a nondramatic literary or musical work or of a dramatico-musical work of a religious nature, or display of a work, in the course of services at a place of worship or other religious assembly[.] 17 USC §110

And here's the link to the law: Chapter 1 - Circular 92 | U.S. Copyright Office

See what I mean about an informed conscience? Most churches THINK they have to buy CCLI and are guilted into doing so. They don't need to ask permission under this stipulation of the law and all CCLI attempts to say otherwise is to feed off the ignorance of people. Who is doing the wrong thing, then?

My point is make sure you have a FULLY INFORMED conscience before feeling guilty about stuff you don't need to feel guilty about. - Peter James

I think I didn’t make my reply very clear. Obviously if it’s very clear that the music be free, there are no issues. I’m definitely not up to date on the laws regarding the topic. I’ve been playing classical guitar for over 45 years now. I very strongly believe that Christ has blessed me with Spiritual music. Of course, that music is supposed to be shared and not for profit as I see it. If someone has been gifted music from Above, they will probably feel the same way. There are plenty of musicians who need the money to survive I’m guessing. I think there are a lot of musicians that fit that category. I went to school and the Navy before returning and getting my degree. My wife and I have been greatly Blessed. I would have enjoyed playing music for a living but with 4 children to feed I couldn’t take the chance. Now our youngest child will be 41. Now that I’m retired, maybe Christ will get me involved.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

I Found a website that has many games that are paid on steam would it be a sin to download them and play them for free?

Usually when we ponder the question
the answer is yes -- sin.
M-Bob

 

[Hazelelponi]

I Found a website that has many games that are paid on steam would it be a sin to download them and play them for free?

If they are pirated versions. Some companies have a free version or have contacts with sites for the use of their free products so it's something you may want to research further...

Just because one place is selling something doesn't mean another company hasn't purchased some type of commercial use etc.

So it may happen that some things you think may be pirated aren't. It's definitely worth asking about individual sites or games, what type of license your use is under.

 

[lsume]

I think I didn’t make my reply very clear. Obviously if it’s very clear that the music be free, there are no issues. I’m definitely not up to date on the laws regarding the topic. I’ve been playing classical guitar for over 45 years now. I very strongly believe that Christ has blessed me with Spiritual music. Of course, that music is supposed to be shared and not for profit as I see it. If someone has been gifted music from Above, they will probably feel the same way. There are plenty of musicians who need the money to survive I’m guessing. I also think there are a lot of musicians that fit that category. I went to school and the Navy before returning and getting my degree. My wife and I have been greatly Blessed. I would have enjoyed playing music for a living but with 4 children to feed I couldn’t take the chance. Now our youngest child will be 41. Now that I’m retired, maybe Christ will get me involved.

 

[PeterJames0510]

If they are pirated versions. Some companies have a free version or have contacts with sites for the use of their free products so it's something you may want to research further...

Just because one place is selling something doesn't mean another company hasn't purchased some type of commercial use etc.

So it may happen that some things you think may be pirated aren't. It's definitely worth asking about individual sites or games, what type of license your use is under.

Actually, that's a great thought too I hadn't thought of!

If you can get games off of Steam, they have 30 day money back guarantee so if you don't like the game, you could get your money back! Or it may be GOG, I can't remember which.