Is plagiarism a sin?

[jake-the-peg]

Representing the work of others without crediting them or acknowleding where you got it from is a serious matter in most academic institutions.

It's also potentially a crime in breeching copyright

Above all it's fundamentally dishonest

Yet it seems that some of our religious friends have no qulams about it

Perhaps they feel that it would identify their background and perhaps they're ashamed of that background?

Is plagiarism a sin in the eyes of God?

[sandyRoe]

If you do it, it's a mortal sin. When I quote from some appropriate text to illustrate my point, it's just strengthening my argument, a mere peccadillo .

[DTCwordfan]

I wonder who you are refering to, jake, lol

I stated that it could trangress the "Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour"

I agree on your first point - however if the said "not-so-learned" character is a paid-up member of the torpid organisation, they have probably granted him a non-exclusive licence to use the material for his ephemeral ministrations.

It is certainly deceptive and manipulating and he ought to be ashamed of himself and what he professes to represent. I would suggest a week of meditation, starvation and prayer to pay for his sins.

[jomifl]

It does not say in the ten commandents 'thou shalt not plagiarise' so it must be OK. It also does not say 'thou shalt not misrepresent someone elses words', or 'thou shalt not cherry pick from the bible to justify thine own bigotry'. As long as you obey the letter and not the 'spirit' you go to heaven.

[DTCwordfan]

sandy, at least your arguments are thought through and original........the big E's are not.

[jake-the-peg]

You don't think it might come under "Thou shalt not steal"?

I'm pretty sure the Music industry thinks it does!

[DTCwordfan]

Coudl well do, false representation and theft - two weeks of purgatory and a credit to entering Hell - he is doing well.

[boxtops]

Yes, most definitely. LOL.

[jno]

eh? You're free to record or perform a cover of someone else's song if you want to. It's not even remotely sinful. The author may demand payment of royalties. The writers of the Watch Tower (or whatever) do not.

[pa___ul3]

Yes! (David McAlmont & Bernard Butler, 1995)

[naomi24]

A sin is not necessarily a crime - and God isn't always big on recognising crime - so I guess in a case where God is the star performer and takes centre stage, as he likes to, the answer would be no.

[sandyRoe]

Those fortunate people who are visited by The Holy Ghost and 'speak in tongues' during its sojourn are not concerned about their utterances being in the correct narrative order either.

[sandyRoe]

God works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.

[annadomino]

Of course. That's what is it! Speaking in tongues. Now I get it.

[seadogg]

Sandy, is there a difference between a sin and a mortal sin? If so I should incline to think that plagiarism might be the former category.

[sandyRoe]

If someone passed any of my published work off as their own, I'd consider that a mortal sin.
But, I agree, plagiarism probably falls into the venial sin category.
In the wider sense, a mortal sin needs shriving while a venial one can be washed away with a sincere act of contrition.

[seadogg]

That sounds good to me. There was this philosophy essay I got away with on an M.A. course, so contrition is the order of the day.