Stealing Is Not a Joke
I was appalled at your treating acts of stealing
as humorous and harmless. Even if one is not a
religious person, the increasing selfishness and
lack of concern for others' rights and needs that
are increasingly part of our dominant culture are
not desirable. Although your web site has the
disclaimer "We in no way condone this behavior,"
that was not the tone of your program.
The man who
stole 20 towels should have listened to his dream
(which said "thou shalt not steal") and returned
the towels. The woman who stole the statue of Kwan
Yin should return it, even if doing so is costly
and inconvenient. She deserved to be called a
thief by the Buddhist leader who saw the stolen
item. Your telling her to "go in peace" suggests
that confession is enough. It isn't. Some guilt is
appropriate, in moving us to make reparations.
Your listeners might be interested in knowing that
the golden rule (do unto others as you would have
them do unto you) exists in religions all around
the world as a guide for behavior.
--Karyl
{ Previous Letter
| This Week's Index |
Next Letter }
{ Main Letters Page }
