Taking money from the Buddha. Literally.

[Leole]

I've been wanting to get this game for a long time, and I was X amount of money short. I was going to get 2X next week, so, I only needed to be patient.

Now, I was heading out with some friends, when I noticed the little Buddha statue my mom has on the foyer. It had a crisp X bill hanging under it. My mom doesn't believe in Buddhaism, but that's beside the point, she always leaves money for "good fortune". I don't believe in that so taking it wasn't exactly "morally challenging" for me, and next week, I'm putting it back. The only thing that changed is the time in which I'm getting the game.

I'm not feeling bad about this, part of me think I should, but I don't. Escapiststs, tell me, in my situation, what would have you done?

(Also, I AM heading out so I won't be answering if quoted)

 

[Flight]

I don't think you should have done that. Would it really have killed you to wait until you did have the money?

 

[Kahunaburger]

No, of course not. You should give X back, and not do that again.

 

[LordFisheh]

Even if you're giving it back, you seized someone else's possession just because you wanted it. You could do the same with a vase; by your logic if you give it back and nobody misses it then it's okay. People have rights over their property, and you can't just violate them because you think they won't mind or because you'll repay them later.

 

[DanielBrown]

Stop right there, criminal scum!
Really though; it's not your money. Put it back and ask your mother nicely if you can borrow some money.
Also apologise.

 

[DEAD34345]

Nah, stealing money from your mother is not cool, even if you plan to return it. The fact that it's sat on a Buddha for good luck is irrelevant.

If I were you the guilt would be killing me, I don't know how you can feel nothing.

 

[mcdain]

If you need money, you should just ask. Now if said bill was lying on the pavement, that'd be a different story...

 

[BiggyShackleton]

If you were going to replace it you should have told her. Just taking it is pretty shitty.

 

[Scarim Coral]

You don't know the full consequence of your action even when you do intend to replace it a week later (you just pissed off a buddha)!

Ok seriously you shouldn't have done that regardless of your belief including your mother belief. She intended to place that money there, therefore it's her money you just took.
Couldn't you have just asked her for the money instead?

 

[SidingWithTheEnemy]

Take the money and add a note saying:

Just borrowing it, Buddha should be okay with it and I put it back on Sunday.
It's just advancement payment of my pocket money.

 

[Vrach]

I wouldn't take it because it's not my money. Whether you believe in it or not, it was her money to decide what to do with.

She gave the money to Buddha. And the same way I might give money to the magical elf that lives on the street corner by dropping it on the ground and someone might walk along and pick it up because they don't believe in my magical elf that lives on the street corner, there's nothing morally wrong with taking it.

 

[Pandaman1911]

If you can live with yourself/the consequences for doing it, then you know what you should do? Whatever the hell you want! I think it's perfectly fine, if you can live with it. Personally, I wouldn't have, because I would have gotten caught.

 

[orangeapples]

Wow, taking from your own family. I don't care if you and your family believe in Buddhism or whatever your personal religious beliefs are or what-not, family is sacred. You do not do that to family. For you to cross that line and feel no personal remorse tells me that you have a gaming addiction. You could have waited a week and gotten the money legit. 7 days is not going to kill you; it isn't like 7 days form now the game will have ceased to exist. But you chose gaming over over family. Who cares if she isn't Buddhist? She still has her beliefs and for you to take that money tells her that her beliefs are crap and less valuable than a video game to you.

You crossed the line and if you're not addicted now you will be in the future if that is your way of thinking. You need to stop gaming and seriously think about this.

 

[Sinclair Solutions]

I wouldn't take it because it's not my money. Whether you believe in it or not, it was her money to decide what to do with.

Nailed it right on the noggin. 10 points for you.

 

[chuckey]

I think she would be mad at the fact that you stole from her rather than being mad at you for taking it from the statue. I'm sure she would have lent you the money if you really wanted it. A game is easy to get. Your parents trust is not.

 

[Sansha]

I'm not spiritual but I feel like fucking with a deity's avatar is asking for trouble.

Either way, it wasn't your money and you shouldn't have taken it.

 

[Vrach]

I wouldn't take it because it's not my money. Whether you believe in it or not, it was her money to decide what to do with.

She gave the money to Buddha. And the same way I might give money to the magical elf that lives on the street corner by dropping it on the ground and someone might walk along and pick it up because they don't believe in my magical elf that lives on the street corner, there's nothing morally wrong with taking it.

Are you serious? If so let me laugh harder than I already am. Because she didn't 'give it to Buddha', she just put it under her Buddha statue. It wasn't passing ownership. But hey, whatever stupid excuse makes you feel better about being a prick and being alright with stealing stuff...

She didn't put the money there for keeping or for laying around on a table (though seriously, does anyone keep their money anywhere that's not in their pocket, wallet, safe place or a bank?), she put it there for good fortune like one might throw a coin into a wishing well (and if you think people who take coins from the wishing wells are thieves, well, you have an... interesting point of view). She relinquished herself of the property of the money she put there (if she believes putting money there is good fortune, I don't see how she could see taking money from there to be the next logical step). So no, it's not stealing.

Also, it's the guy's mother, so I don't see how it would be stealing anyway, rudely taking is the worst you could put it and even that would depend on the family dynamics. Moreover, he's gonna put the money back. So yeah, there is absolutely nothing wrong with what he's doing.

 

[emeraldrafael]

I think you should have told her, and then just asked if you could have it before taking. Whether or not either of you believe it, it is still rude to take money from something without asking when you know the circumstances.

 

[similar.squirrel]

I wish I was rationalist maverick like you. Damn those Buddhaists.

 

[emeraldrafael]

... she put it there for good fortune like one might throw a coin into a wishing well (and if you think people who take coins from the wishing wells are thieves, well, you have an... interesting point of view). ...

Actually, some wishing wells directly support something, and usually if its on a specific property (like mall fountains, or little them park ones) it will be counted as revenue. Or sometimes as "goodwill donation" money (I know my mall does this 30/70 split where they keep 30% of all the money they collect in the fountains and send the other 70 to some charity/group). So it can be stealing (i've seen wishing wells with metal grates actually built into the stone the way you would put rods in concrete for support just because they dont want people stealing from them [and so people dont fall in trying to be a dick by taking money from it and get hurt]).

...

Also, it's the guy's mother, so I don't see how it would be stealing anyway, rudely taking is the worst you could put it and even that would depend on the family dynamics. Moreover, he's gonna put the money back. So yeah, there is absolutely nothing wrong with what he's doing.

Theft is defined as "an unlawful taking (as by embezzlement or burglary) of property" so unless he asked her if he could, it is stealing. She didnt relinquish money to a public place its still in her house and belongs to whoever owns that statue or whoever is the primary bill payer. But I guess according to you, when someone takes all the money out of a parent's bank account or takes their social security checks they're not stealing, they're just rudely taking (how that exactly is different than stealing I dont know, cause thats what it sounds like). Whether or not the OP is going to put it back is irrelevant really until they do, and any time inbetween the taking of X amount of money and returning it in full (if not with a little interest as a show of good faith) it is considered theft.