You pay with a ten, but get change for a twenty.

[mrmufin]

Here's the situation. You and your friend Roxy are both strapped for cash, but are having lunch together at the cafe. Three days ago she loaned you ten dollars, and she just asked if you were able to pay her back. Being pretty much broke, you told Roxy, "Sorry, babe. I'm still kinda tapped out."

The food and service are both very good at this cafe, as are the prices. The waitress brings you the check and it's for $8.87. You give the waitress your last ten dollar bill, but she brings you $11.13 in change. Are you going to point out the error to the waitress?

Regards,
mrmufin

[Vladd44]

If you can morally steal $ 10 why not steal $ 10 million.

Well, $10 doesnt hold any real temptation. But 10 million? well thats another matter....

[Gary]

If you can morally steal $ 10 why not steal $ 10 million.

Well, $10 doesnt hold any real temptation. But 10 million? well thats another matter....

Temptation is the whole problem. I find it's best not to even consider things like this, whether it's keeping the money, or anything else you would hate to admit that you did. It's best, knowing that these situations will happen to you at some point, to figure out ahead of time what you're going to do, then when the time comes, do it (without allowing any time for temptation). It helps.

[ST88]

This seems to me to be a perfect example of how complicated life's 'small' problems can get when we use situational ethics. As with any problem, if we ask ourselves, "Can I get away with this? Let's see...." Then we've already weakened our previous convictions. How much easier the problem seems if we just say, "That's not my money!"

It's amazing how complicated life actually is. How do we get through the day without a slide rule?

[Gary]

It's amazing how complicated life actually is. How do we get through the day without a slide rule?

Computers I think! But really, people often accuse Christians of trying to answer life's complicated problems with simple answers. A lot of times, the problem is completely simple; it's doing the right thing that's hard. Then, after I've done the wrong thing, life gets complicated.

[The Happy Humanist]

This seems to me to be a perfect example of how complicated life's 'small' problems can get when we use situational ethics. As with any problem, if we ask ourselves, "Can I get away with this? Let's see...." Then we've already weakened our previous convictions. How much easier the problem seems if we just say, "That's not my money!"

It's amazing how complicated life actually is. How do we get through the day without a slide rule?

I'm a little amazed at this. This is a no-brainer to me. I say it's stealing, and I say it stinks. I've been in a situation where a Circle-K employee gave me too much change by about $20. I was five miles away at a casino when I discovered the mistake. I immediately drove back and gave her the money. Sure, as a so-called "moral relativist," I can think of situations where stealing is OK....but this ain't one of them.

And if they're both strapped for cash, they should be at home making popcorn or macaroni and cheese. For all they know, that waitress being out $10 could short her paycheck, which could cause a check to bounce, which would cost her an additional $50 ($25 to the bank, $25 to her payee). She might be a single mom just making ends meet - her idea of strapped for cash might be having 2 dimes in her pocket instead of 3.

I don't mean to lecture you good people, but just because there is no God doesn't mean the rules go out the window. In fact, the rules become even more important - cause there's no one to "forgive us our trespasses."

[Gary]

I don't mean to lecture you good people, but just because there is no God doesn't mean the rules go out the window. In fact, the rules become even more important - cause there's no one to "forgive us our trespasses."

God is very important to me; however, you make a good point.
I Corintians 4:2 says, "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."
Whether as Christians or Atheists, as those who have been given a trust, (i.e. we are the defenders of all those who believe as we do) we must show that we are worthy of that trust. We must be above reproach whenever possible from those who would normally criticize us. Extreme honesty when dealing with money makes a big impression in other people's minds and keeps our conscience clear. We are all ambassadors of something, representing others.

Galations 5:14 says, "The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
The Bible calls this "The Royal Law" and it's a good one for Christians and Atheists alike.

[The Happy Humanist]

I don't mean to lecture you good people, but just because there is no God doesn't mean the rules go out the window. In fact, the rules become even more important - cause there's no one to "forgive us our trespasses."

God is very important to me; however, you make a good point.
I Corintians 4:2 says, "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."
Whether as Christians or Atheists, as those who have been given a trust, (i.e. we are the defenders of all those who believe as we do) we must show that we are worthy of that trust. We must be above reproach whenever possible from those who would normally criticize us. Extreme honesty when dealing with money makes a big impression in other people's minds and keeps our conscience clear. We are all ambassadors of something, representing others.

Galations 5:14 says, "The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
The Bible calls this "The Royal Law" and it's a good one for Christians and Atheists alike.

HOORAY! Common moral ground!

(hmmm....maybe I better change my signature quote....)

[skeeterses]

Here's the situation. You and your friend Roxy are both strapped for cash, but are having lunch together at the cafe. Three days ago she loaned you ten dollars, and she just asked if you were able to pay her back.

In this situation, your stomach is going to win out over your concious. Be sure to budget your money carefully and pray to God that you never have to face this type of situation.

[Bugmaster]

Yes. If Roxy is the kind of person who'd happily cheat a waitress out of $10 -- without getting her own hands dirty, even -- then Roxy and I need to seriously re-evaluate our friendship.

[Jester]

I'm with you on this one. In my experiences similar to this, I've found that more good can come from showing someone (and showing yourself) an example of honesty than paying back a loan. In fact, I believe that even Roxy is likely to gain some wisdom from the situation (but probably only if you are good about paying back the $10 when you can).