Would you if you could?

[KeysforChrist]

Here's a dillemma for you that I am not sure is clear to me. It's sort of a right versus wrong issue, but is also a situation where it's technically not right, but....well, you tell me...

It has to do with cable TV service. I recently had a cable modem installed in my house, that my company pays for. The cable company charges me like $60 a month for the high speed internet service. However, I have discovered (big shocker here huh), that if you split the cable line from the incoming signal to my TV's that I can receive the cable TV signal to all of my TV's in my house if I want to wire it.

Now keep in mind that I haven't done it yet, but I do know it can be done. But am I cheating the cable company out of anything by using the signal on my TV's? Since they are receiving $60 a month from me (well, my company) for the internet service, am I stealing anything here from them? I believe the cable company would charge additional for the TV service if I opted to tell them what I was doing, but is this stealing?

For the record, I have DirecTV, so it's more a budget savings issue, for necessity of TV. And I'd love to see the day when I got rid of TV altogether. So much garbage!!!

 

[Freodin]

Simple: ask the cable company if they would charge extra. If they say yes, and you would still split this line, you would get a service without paying for it.

Stealing.

 

[CoHehir]

Yeah, regardless of whether or not everyone else does it, the majority is not always right. Actually, I don't think they are ever right. And, as Christians, we are to adhere to the laws of the government we are under. If we do not, we are in sin. Yes, speeding, then, would be a sin. Of course, we aren't ever free from sin except when we are declared righteous by Christ's death and resurraction for the forgiveness of sins.

So, yeah. If you knowingly did something like that, it might even be worse than speeding. Since, of course, you are knowingly and willingly stealing, which is sinning.

I never though I could write this much on this topic. That was amazing.

Addon: Now, would I if I could? I just might, although a guilty conscience might always simmer at the back of my head. I would always like to say "oh, well, the cable company rips millions of people off every day, so it won't matter." Maybe not to the cable company, but to God it does, everything does.

 

[HazyRigby]

I'm not a Christian, but I think it's wrong. I wouldn't do it.

And how does the cable compnay "rip millions of people off every day"? If you pay the fee, it's your choice. Cable isn't a human right.

 

[feral]

14th April 2003 at 11:01 AM KeysforChrist said this in Post #1

Here's a dillemma for you that I am not sure is clear to me. It's sort of a right versus wrong issue, but is also a situation where it's technically not right, but....well, you tell me...

It has to do with cable TV service. I recently had a cable modem installed in my house, that my company pays for. The cable company charges me like $60 a month for the high speed internet service. However, I have discovered (big shocker here huh), that if you split the cable line from the incoming signal to my TV's that I can receive the cable TV signal to all of my TV's in my house if I want to wire it.

Now keep in mind that I haven't done it yet, but I do know it can be done. But am I cheating the cable company out of anything by using the signal on my TV's? Since they are receiving $60 a month from me (well, my company) for the internet service, am I stealing anything here from them? I believe the cable company would charge additional for the TV service if I opted to tell them what I was doing, but is this stealing?

For the record, I have DirecTV, so it's more a budget savings issue, for necessity of TV. And I'd love to see the day when I got rid of TV altogether. So much garbage!!!

i think someone else mentioned this...that stealing is stealing, so you have to decide how you feel about this. if you steal from the cable company...then you have signed away your rights to complain when i steal your car, or my friend breaks into your house. i'm not saying it's right or wrong...just that you need to weigh this. i can say that since you're being ripped off by the cable company you can steal from them. they're rich, a big company. but, by comparison, your company has more money then i do...so can i steal from them? can i steal from the grocery store? i mean...i've lived in a car, i've been homeless, and even though i'm not now i'm still not rich...so can i steal? because i'd rather steal my food and shoplift my clothes then buy them the legit way...then i could spend the saved money on concert tickets.

my only advice is that it might be time to get rid of the television altogether. who needs it? if you don't like hollywood and you don't like spending the money then why support the company? i got rid of my television a year ago...and since then have a lot more time to read...

 

[paulewog]

wow, the atheists peoples in here hit it right on the head

 

[CoHehir]

Today at 10:49 AM HazyRigby said this in Post #4

I'm not a Christian, but I think it's wrong. I wouldn't do it.

And how does the cable compnay "rip millions of people off every day"? If you pay the fee, it's your choice. Cable isn't a human right.

If you read my post, you'd notice that was in "quotes." I was simply quoting how someone might justify it.

I hate TV anyways. I also love it alot. It's a vicious cycle. Oh well. ..

 

[Eudaimonist]

Yep, stealing.

 

[HazyRigby]

Sorry, can't resist pointing this out--

Don't you all find it fascinating that the very person who condemned atheists on the "Hollyweird" thread is now getting moral replies to his dilemma from atheists? Hmmmm....

 

[seebs]

I can't say whether or not it's stealing without knowing the cable company's billing structure. My understanding was always that most "cable internet" hookups are sold as add-ons to a "cable TV" package. You'd have to ask the specific company.

 

[HazyRigby]

Like strawmen much, P4I?

 

[DJ_1]

Come on now Pray4Isrel, this thread is about stealing cable TV, not abotion, not Atheists vs. Christians. Can't we have a spirit of civility here?

 

[CoHehir]

Ooh. . .good point. . .

 

[feral]

Today at 08:52 AM Pray4Isrel said this in Post #12

Well, it has been a lesson for me in that atheists do seem to agree that usurping cable without paying is indeed wrong and is considered stealing, yet killing an unborn baby out of convenience is acceptable and not considered murder.

i could never have an abortion. i think it's disgusting. i work with three children on a daily basis as a nanny, and i could never imagine why someone would abort....i'm totally against it, and would never encourage a friend to choose abortion either. it's gross. however...that's not my choice to make for anyone else, just like i can't stop anyone from stealing cable television...i can say i don't like it but i can't live their life and govern them.

 

[My Higher Self]

Here's a dillemma for you that I am not sure is clear to me. It's sort of a right versus wrong issue, but is also a situation where it's technically not right, but....well, you tell me...

It has to do with cable TV service. I recently had a cable modem installed in my house, that my company pays for. The cable company charges me like $60 a month for the high speed internet service. However, I have discovered (big shocker here huh), that if you split the cable line from the incoming signal to my TV's that I can receive the cable TV signal to all of my TV's in my house if I want to wire it.

Now keep in mind that I haven't done it yet, but I do know it can be done. But am I cheating the cable company out of anything by using the signal on my TV's? Since they are receiving $60 a month from me (well, my company) for the internet service, am I stealing anything here from them? I believe the cable company would charge additional for the TV service if I opted to tell them what I was doing, but is this stealing?

For the record, I have DirecTV, so it's more a budget savings issue, for necessity of TV. And I'd love to see the day when I got rid of TV altogether. So much garbage!!!

If the cable company didn't put a filter on the line, then they must want you to have cable TV.

Seriously though....most companies now install a filter that allows you to only get internet access.

 

[Jet Black]

I am not sure about the US, but pay-for channels are usually encrypted, and if they are sending the signals to your house, you can use them. it is only if you get an illegal decrypter or something that it becomes stealing. as has been mentioned, it depends on your pay structure, but looking at it, I don't know how they could say it was stealing if they are sending the signal to you anyway.

 

[LaserCool]

It seems to me, that you are paying your cable company to provide you with a digital singal. Seems like your cable company has been providing you with a digital signal.

I'd not necissarily bring it to thier attention until after I reviewed my contract. That would allow you to decide the legality of tapping into the line. Maybe you're supposed to get the signal and just don't know it.