St Michael’s Anglican Cathedral, Wollongong » Christians and Copyright

 St Michael’s Anglican Cathedral, Wollongong » Christians and Copyright

Christians and Copyright

Communication technology has made wonderful and startling advances over the last few decades. But alongside the rapid rise in the easy availability of mobile phones, MP3 players, media streaming, etc., there has also been a corresponding increase in the illegal copying of proprietary material. Because it’s so easy to copy music, images, text and videos created by somebody else without their permission, and because it’s almost impossible for individuals to get caught or prosecuted, people (including many Christians) are doing it often, in different ways, everywhere. Last night, I almost copied a mobile phone ring tone from one phone to another—and then realised that it was copyright! How should Christians think and act in regards to copyright? Here are a few pointers.

Firstly, we must remember Jesus’ teaching about God’s law. In Matthew 5, we learn that being God’s Sons is about more than just keeping the bare minimum of the law—it’s about loving what God loves, and being committed to God’s desires as a child of a loving heavenly Father (e.g. Matt 5:14-16). So, for example, the commandment ‘Do not commit adultery’ isn’t just a bare rule. It shows God’s children that God loves faithfulness, so we realise that even flirting or lust is wrong (Matt 5:27-38). In the same way, the law ‘do not steal’ (Exod 20:15) is about more than burglary. God’s children should seek the maximum, not the minimum, application. For example, if somebody has created written material or other media and has not given express permission for it to be published, it is their property. If you copy it without their permission, you are doing the equivalent of shoplifting or burglary—in God’s eyes, you are taking from somebody else. Don’t try to justify your behaviour, or explain it away. Act as a child of God, and do what God loves.

Secondly, copyright is the law of our nation, and breaking copyright is against the law. The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans that Christians are still subject to the governing authorities:

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. (Romans 13:1-2 NIV)

A common objection is that copyright is an outmoded concept that hasn’t kept up with advances in technology. It can be argued that copyright laws don’t work; they merely prop up rich multinational corporations and stifle the free exchange of ideas. This may well be true in some areas. However, as Christians, our response to injustice must never be to simply break the law. Points one and two above still hold: we must not steal, and we must submit to the governing authorities, even where they are imperfect (see also 1 Peter 2:13-20ff). In God’s providence, there are many ways for Christians in Australia to rightly and legally address injustice. If you are concerned about the injustice of copyright laws, then get informed, join or form a lobby group, write letters to your local member. But until the law changes, do not break it. Pay for the material, or put up with the fact that you can’t have it. Surely, acting like a child of God is worth a bit of inconvenience.

Finally, a word to younger people. Refusing to break copyright on images, movies, MP3s, etc., will most likely make you stand out starkly from your friends. It will make you seem freakish, strange and may even ostracise you from your peer group. In other words, it is one of the obvious ways that you can show that you are actually serious about being a Christian. Keep in mind the words of Jesus:

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you … You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:11-16 NIV)

Warmly in Christ,
Lionel Windsor

St Michael’s Anglican Cathedral, Wollongong » Christians and Copyright