Suppose I'm trying to help teach people about God through the use of copyrighted CDs. Do you think it’s okay to break copyright laws by copying and giving those CDs out, if it is for the purpose of making Jesus known and bringing people closer to God? The apostles clearly did not adhere to the orders of the authorities in Acts 5:41-42. What is your advice? Thanks.
I wouldn’t do that. The apostles violated the command to be silent—a command clearly opposing God’s will. But using (stealing?) others’ work without permission is not the same.
First off, breaking intellectual property laws sends a mixed message. Besides, why couldn’t you simply purchase the CDs and then give them out? You might also receive permission from the publisher to share these materials. My main publisher since the 1980s, Toney, is usually open to making my material free when it is being shared in the developing world. (Not in wealthy areas like North America or Northern Europe.)
The question reminds me a little of a practice of the Unification Church (UC) called “heavenly deception.” They teach that you can lie if it’s for a good cause. No, I don’t mean throwing the Gestapo off the scent of Jews hiding in your house. The UC would tell people they were collecting money for a children’s home—when in fact it was going into the pockets of the organization.
I admit, sometimes knowing exactly what to do is difficult to discern. There are “gray areas.” Yet (in my opinion) the theft of intellectual property is not such an area. For more on this, see Romans 13, Titus 3, and 1 Peter 2.
