Do Not Steal
I wrote this while Amanda Knox was still in prison in Italy. This is the first time it’s been published.
Exodus 20:15
15″You must not steal.”
New Living Translation
One day I was at a meeting where they had different types of refreshments out. Some cookies, pumpkin bread and a bowl of small oranges. At the end of the meeting the woman who brought the oranges; told the people to take as many oranges as we want because she did not want to take them back home with her. I took two of the small oranges and stuffed them into my coat pocket and left.
On the way home I stopped at a grocery store in town. After I finished my shopping I walked up to the cashier and paid for the items and walked out to my truck. No problem, so what. However, when I was fastening my seatbelt I found the two small oranges still in my pocket. What if I was caught inside the store with fruit in my pocket? They of course would think I was stealing from them, when in fact I was not!
There are some people who, believe it or not believes this country should be under Islamic Shari’ah law. I’m glad we are not. If we were and if I was caught with the oranges in my pocket; this is what could happen:
I would be arrested and tried. However under Shari’ah law I believe I would be guilty until proven innocent. Would they show the security tape that would show I never entered the produce area? Maybe, but maybe not, because after all, I am a Christian. If I would be found guilty then under Shari’ah law my hand could be cut off. This is according to a small book: Shari’ah law: Radical Islam’s Threat to the U.S. Constitution; page 19; by ACLJ.org.
Here in America under what I believe is Judeo-Christian law I would still be arrested. However my trial would be different.
Deuteronomy 17:6
But never put a person to death on the testimony of only one witness. There must always be two or three witnesses.
New Living Translation
In other words you are innocent of a serious crime until proven guilty. In this country we extend it to non-serious crimes also. Also the video showing that I never entered the produce would be a nice help. If for some reason I was found guilty I would still get to keep both of my hands. I like that.
While writing this; I’m thinking ‘I bet Amanda Knox (the University of Washington student) would have liked it if in Italy you would be innocent until proven guilty.’
There is another law from the Old Testament that I like. Unfortunately we don’t seem to have it in this country. Let’s say your car was stolen, but they caught the bad guy. However your car is resold, stripped for parts, or totaled in a police car chase, or what ever; you choose. The thief is arrested and found guilty, but there is no car to return to you or is damaged. What then?
Leviticus 6:1-5
Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Suppose one of you sins against your associate and is unfaithful to the Lord. Suppose you cheat in a deal involving a security deposit, or you steal or commit fraud, 3 or you find lost property and lie about it, or you lie while swearing to tell the truth, or you commit any other such sin. 4 If you have sinned in any of these ways, you are guilty. You must give back whatever you stole, or the money you took by extortion, or the security deposit, or the lost property you found, 5 or anything obtained by swearing falsely. You must make restitution by paying the full price plus an additional 20 percent to the person you have harmed. On the same day you must present a guilt offering.
New Living Translation
Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross; there is no need for a guilt offering. However paying back the full price of the car plus 20% would sound good for the victim. I would even say that if the victim gets 10% and the police gets other 10% sounds good. In this day of economic problems, maybe there would fewer cops laid off.
Getting back to beginning of my thoughts; I am very thankful that I live in this country with the laws we have. If worst comes to worst, I still get to keep my hands.
There is one thing I would like to say about Muslims. Jesus died for them just like he died for us.
John 3:16
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
New Living Translation
My Thoughts 