Can a shoplifter possibly be a good person?

[Kingofkings1992]

Yes, absolutely 👍

No way. All shoplifters are scum

[ManOnFire]

Wow what a question. If they shop lift just because they're a piece of shit that wants free stuff and doesn't care about rules, then I would say they are most likely not a good person. Plus people like that tend to have other bad habits/behavior in their lives as well. They typically have no fear or shame about doing the wrong things.

But if they're homeless and just trying to eat something or need clothes, I wouldn't frown on that too much. I once knew a homeless guy who walked into a store and asked the customer service people if he could just have a loaf of bread, because he would rather ask than just steal.

[Kingofkings1992]

Fantastic answer 👏. This is precisely how I feel about it

[loveslongnails]

I saw a video about a pizza place where you can sponsor a slice for people who need to eat. The store sells them at a reduced cost to patrons, so for example, is you buy a slice for $5 you can sponsor a slice for an extra $1. I've also heard of places who will sell sandwiches at cost to sponsor for patrons who buy regular priced ones.

It says something about a society too worried about businesses being held liable who allows perfectly good food to be thrown out at the end of a day.

[ManOnFire]

@loveslongnails Heard about that, yeah.

[RingOfFire]

Depends on how you define good, the particular circumstances and what else this person does in their life. If you believe in general that people can commit sins and still be moral people who have just strayed from their principles then yes, a shoplifter can potentially still be a good person. But there is more to it than just that. What were the circumstances. Did he steal baby food to save a starving child during a nuclear holocaust for example. Even Jesus would probably give that one the stamp of approval. Was he also a mass murderer? Well, that may make the good/bad decision more difficult.

Ultimately it might be up to the big guy at the Pearly Gates to answer this one.

[Kingofkings1992]

Assuming you believe in that. Not everyone does

[RingOfFire]

Of course. If you don't, where does your concept of "good" and "bad" come from? Without a religious origin, isn't that completely subjective?

[Kingofkings1992]

Yes, morality is mostly subjective. Most people, whether they believe or not, would agree that you should not kill, rape, steal, etc

[RingOfFire]

"Yes, morality is mostly subjective."

What do you think is the origin of the part that isn't subjective?

[Kingofkings1992]

Who knows? I don't think it's some mysterious father figure who lives in the sky. Lol 😂

[RingOfFire]

Well... if you don't know what it is, how can you rule that out?

[strawberryapple]

It depends. During the 2020 summer of riots, the marauders were stealing from businesses. Of course AOC was defending the criminals and blaming Trump. On one particular occasion, the thieves ransacked a gas station/mini Mart. The left-wing news made them sound like victims in need. What they didn’t mention was that they were stealing booze, cigarettes and condoms. 🤣
That darn Trump!

[Rei13]

Shoplifting is wrong but I don’t think a shop lifter is automatically a bad person just because they’re a thief. You’re a sum of all of your choices, I don’t think one bad choice negates the rest

[Zack-Bann]

A person is the sum of their choices
No one is good or bad
But everyone is responsible for their choices as well
So being a “good person” one morning doesn’t excuse shoplifting in the evening

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

I don't even think there's a consensus about how to define a good person. There are too many rulebooks scattered around, plus that only talks about those using a strict one.

[jshm2]

Depends on their reasons.

Some are just beggars, others chancers. But a few are people in desperate conditions.

[Bricealan]

@Kingofkings1992 Of course, I have never killed anyone with the guns and knives I have managed to steal! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[888theGreat]

A lot are desperate and more and more will because of Trump's economy. Some might even kill. Trump is forcing people into theft , drug sales , and even murder. People will do what they have to survive and feed their kids.

[NoDecision]

Thou shalt not steal. Earn it by working, not stealing.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Yes. A cousin of mine killed a store owner at eighteen, served 25 years for murder, and has become a really good dude.

[Kingofkings1992]

Jesus

[exitseven]

Yes, some people just cannot help themselves. It is a rush.

[Anonymous]

Most criminals are not good, otherwise, they wouldn't be criminals.

There may be some exceptions, but those are very rare, and depend on the circumstance.

[msc545]

Of course they can. Not everyone shoplifts out of greed. Some do it out of necessity.

[Kingofkings1992]

But is it really a necessity though? I get it, some people are in tough positions in life, and grocery stores have the means to provide them with food. But, there are many other options out there for people in need. Many homeless shelters offer free meals, there is also food banks as well. A person doesn't really ever NEED to steal.

[AviatorTom]

Possibly a good or a bad person.

[blackeagle007]

Their actions aren’t good