Piracy in Korea
Piracy is rampant here in Korea. It’s really quite annoying, it’s one of those things where I have to decide if I want to follow Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken. The situation here in Korea is very similar in several ways. I’ve always struggled with legitimacy of products. It’s like any other sin I suppose; it’s always been a battle. I’ve figured out how to get around specific laws, so I would still be doing certain things legally. I think what the point is the heart behind it.
I’ve gotten in several arguments that have never led anywhere positive in dealing with issues of piracy. Even the Christians that I have become acquainted with throughout the ages have the following reactions. Now, this isn’t me being on a soap box preaching at my fellow friends, I would just rather that you see the facts that I’ve learned thus far and make your own informed decision.
A) Ignorance - That’s okay, I’m sure I may be breaking plenty of laws that I don’t know of regardless everyday, but shouldn’t one “repent” after realizing it’s against the law? Jay walking, speeding, several things can fall under this category.
B) Denial / Justification - I’ve done this before, making excuses like, the artist/entertainers are making too much money anyway it’s really not hurting anyone. This may be true, but nevertheless it’s still wrong, I think. Even I am doubtful, but Jesus does say “give to Caesar what is Caesar, ” but I wonder would Jesus have said that to Hitler? I’m not trying to sound like an arrogant jerk, but part of me is genuinely curious about this situation.
C) Don’t care - This is where I find a lot of people under and doing so we have given the victory flag to Satan. Big corporations win, Satan gets people to steal so he wins, some artists make money, etc…
D) Righteousness - doing the right thing, it’s the hardest thing to do, sure so a DVD costs infinitely more than a pirated copy, but can you stand before your friends and God himself and tell him you did everything you can to genuinely LOVE one another, including paying people the “amount they deserve and ask for?”
I don’t know I find myself struggling with piracy again for some reason. I hate struggling with the same sins over and over. Some may say this is a heart issue and if “doesn’t violate my conscience” it’s okay. Well, I could go off on a total random tangent on this one, but I’d rather not and stay as positively focused as possible. I don’t know the international rules and laws here in Korea, but I do know that Microsoft and most movie companies dislike the fact there are “bootlegged” otherwise known as illegal copies of their products running rampant here in K-Town. It’s one of those things that the government will most likely have difficulty regulating, so in doing so is it okay for us to do it? If I could get away stealing pennies a day, would I do it? Good question, what about couple of dollars, tens of dollars, a million dollars? Is money or entertainment that important that we would want to violate our conscience in order for short term pleasure of some kind?
I don’t know, like I said before I’m not here to preach, perhaps to gentle encourage and disciple, but definitely not outright rebuke, because even I am a sinner and I screw up all the time. There is a special time for rebuking; I don’t think this is one of those times. Anyway, I’m tired, I guess I need to slap myself a few times and try to live as righteously as possible without becoming a Pharisee.
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