Being moral in today's world is like running up hill. It is hard. It requires effort. It is not for the lazy. But, it is very necessary.
You might be asking yourself, "What is this all about?" The answer is probably going to surprise you. I am not writing today about the President, nor the situation in Europe. I try to ignore that when I am in the flight sim community. Instead, I am writing today about piracy.
I don't write sofware. I don't design panels. I have never even painted a plane. I am a pastor. Recently, I have learned again that Eric Ernst, and others like him are being taken advantage of because they have a generous nature. In short, their work appears once again to have found its way onto compact discs that are sold for profit. Since an article has already appeared on this page concerning the legal and technical aspects of piracy, I will not go into that. And, I would like to make it perfectly clear that I have not asked for Eric's permission to publish this article. I have not even spoken to him personally. I have simply read his statement on his web page. This article is solely my responsibility. That being said, I would like to raise a few points.
First of all, I write this in the spirit of love. When I think of all the people that I have encountered since I first started to participate in the flight sim community, I can say that I have never felt anything but genuine respect from each individual. We have a great hobby, and so many of you have encouraged me. I have learned more about planes than I ever thought I could. Everyone who has put up anything for us to use on this web site has my sincere thanks. Everyone who has guided me into an airport through Squawk Box has my sincere thanks. Nels and the whole staff---thanks for keeping this web site going. This is a good thing. God made fun for the sake of fun. He enjoys seeing us enjoy.
But love is not permissive for the sake of peace. I speak only to those who do these things, so please ignore this if you are not one of those I address. However, if you are a person who has decided to take advantage of the excellent freeware designers out there, shame on you. You know better, because you refuse to meet your accusers when they challenge you and you sneak in the background, hoping not get caught. You know who you are. Maybe you don't think that morality is your concern. Maybe you don't think that what you do is seen. Maybe you don't think you can be defeated in court. Maybe you think you have gotten away with it. You are wrong. God has seen and he knows when you take what is not yours. The Word of God says, "Do not steal." The Ten Commandments are just that. Commandments. God didn't give us the ten "suggestions." Maybe you say in your heart, "I don't believe in God." That is your choice. But do you believe in the Supreme Court? The Ten Commandments still hang there, in court. And you can still be prosecuted in any court for theft.
But I am no legal expert. Maybe you will get away with it. But think about this. Do you really? Each time you decide to steal, do you realize what happens? A tiny piece of your soul is given over to darkness. People that have large pieces of their soul given over to darkness we call criminals. Countries that have large populations given over to darkness fall. Ask yourself---is it really worth it? Do you really think there is no consequence for this?
We live in an age that throws around the word "moral" constantly. I suggest to you that to steal another's work and call it your own is morally wrong. We know it is wrong because of our reaction. By saying this is wrong, it means we have an idea of what right is. It means we know there is a standard. I want to remind us in the flight sim community that the standard is God. It is not my standard or anyone else's. It is God. We know right and wrong instinctively because God hardwired us that way. If goes against his nature, it is wrong. When God said, "Do not steal," he said so because it is the opposite of what he does and who he is. God gives---life, joy, love. Eric Ernst and others like him give to the community and they do it freely. When they do that, they are behaving like God behaves. That is why we don't think it "wrong" for them to give to us. Giving is the nature of God.
But when someone steals, that is not like God. He doesn't steal. He creates. People who give us freeware create. When we steal, we are opposite of what God is. And my friends, when we do that, even if no court catches us, we will be held accountable to God. Because even when we think we have fooled everyone else, we haven't fooled him.
Friends, let's not put up with this type of theft. If we know who is doing this, and we can help these freeware designers, let's do this. It is right. It is moral. And stealing is not.
End of sermon.
Blessings on you all in the name of Jesus Christ,
Rev. Edward A. Kellum
Asbury Theological Seminary
Wilmore, Kentucky 40390
texaskuma@earthlink.net
