I have often shared my concern about professing believers who seem to think that they are above the law when it comes to copyrights. Copying music and/or book pages on a copier for handouts, downloading music illegally on the Internet, and using single-user computer software on multiple computers in the home and in the church are but a few of the oft-abused areas.These abuses are highlighted by two articles in May 16,2007 edition of the Baptist Press. The first article, "Illegal downloads: high tech thievery" shows the naivety of teens today concerning music downloads. Consider the following, "Nearly 90 percent (86 percent) of teenagers polled by The Barna Group indicated music piracy -- 'including copying a CD for a friend or downloading non-promotional music online for free' -- is either morally acceptable or not a moral issue. In the 2004 study, conducted for the Gospel Music Association, just 8 percent said such activities were immoral."
The second article, "Breaking the law during church?" reveals the burgeoning abuse of copying music in the church. Again, consider the thought process of some believers, "Many churches break the law on a weekly basis, making illegal copies of music. Some vague thought process assumes that, 'as long as it's for the Lord's work, it should be OK.' Nothing could be further from the truth."
I encourage you to take some time and read these articles. There are inexpensive, perfectly legal ways to download music. I personally have a yearly subscription with Yahoo! Music and iTunes is popular with iPod owners. Making copies on a copier of music and book pages can also be legal if it is in accordance with what each individual copyright states. Take some time to examine your own practices in this area. Are you above reproach?
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