1. Stealing and Misappropriating Public Property

World Scripture

Lo! those who devour the wealth of orphans wrongfully, they do but swallow fire into their bellies, and they will be exposed to burning flame.
Qur’an 4.10

You shall not steal.
Exodus 20.15

Whoever steals what is considered to belong to others, whether it be situated in villages or the forest, he is to be known as an outcast. Whoever having contracted debts defaults when asked to pay, retorts, “I am not indebted to you!” he is to be known as an outcast. Whoever is desirous of stealing even a trifle and mugs a person going along the road in order to take it, he is to be known as an outcast.
Sutta Nipata 119-21 (Buddhism)

As for the thief, both male and female, cut off their hands. It is the reward for their own deeds, and an exemplary punishment from God.⁴³
Qur’an 5.38

Woe unto the defrauders, Those who when they take the measure from mankind demand it full, But if they measure unto them or weigh for them, they cause them loss.
Qur’an 83.1-3

These acts are included in stealing: prompting another to steal, receiving stolen goods, creating confusion to overcharge or underpay, using false weights and measures, and deceiving others with artificial or imitation goods.
Akalanka, Tattvartharajavartika 7.27 (Jainism)

Because what is yours is not yours, how then can you regard what is not yours as yours?⁴⁴
Talmud, Derek Eretz Zuta 2.5 (Judaism)

Metals and natural resources as petrol, sulfur, and iron are [public property] the same as water, grass and salt; therefore no governor is allowed to give some men exclusive possession of them, and if he does then his acts are false.
Muhammad ibn Idris ash-Shafi‘i 346.5 (Islam)

Nature has poured forth all things for the common use of all men. And God has ordained that all things should be produced that there might be food in common for all, and that the earth should be the common possession of all. Nature created common rights, but usurpation has transformed them into private rights.
Ambrose of Milan, On the Duties of the Clergy 1.132 (Christianity)

Private property does not constitute for anyone an absolute and unconditional right. No one is justified in keeping for his exclusive use what he does not need, when others lack necessities.
Pope Paul VI, Populorum Progressio (Christianity)

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon

Religion teaches people to deny and reject everything that our body desires. Our body tells us to steal food when it is hungry, but Heaven teaches us always to say, “No” to that impulse.
(131:25, March 11, 1984)

What is wrong with stealing? The item you steal is the result of someone’s sacrifice and service; hence it has public value. When you take it without paying anything for it, you negate that public value. That is a sin.
(105:92-92, September 30, 1979)

The Fall took place when the archangel, rather than respecting Adam and serving him sacrificially, instead manipulated the situation to swindle Adam. Then he looted God’s creation. Looting, destroying and swindling followed upon hatred and deception. If you take part in any of these, you will go to hell.
(310:199, June 15, 1999)

When using public funds, you should have a more anxious heart than I [about using the money correctly]. You should feel that taking even one penny for your personal use is as painful as amputating one of your limbs. If you are casual about public funds, you will inevitably decline. The sin will come around and bite you. You may be swindled, robbed or even killed.
(360:321, November 18, 2001)

All events in history are the expansion of the deeds of individuals. What means and methods have successful people used to rise to the top? To reach their goal, they take advantage of other people or embezzle from organizations. This has been the tradition throughout history.
Ever since the Human Fall, when human beings received the blood of Satan, they unconsciously became arrogant and started using others to satisfy their own needs. That has been the direction of human history, is the result of the seeds sown at the Fall.
(46:141, August 8, 1971)

Suppose while walking down the street, you find a golden nugget that fell from somewhere. Do not take it for yourself; if you do, it is as if you were committing a theft. Such found money is public money; therefore you should not use it for yourself.
Do you understand the meaning of public money? If you make an offering to the church with an ulterior motive, I Reverend Moon will not accept it. Even if you give it to True Mother [seeking to have her influence me], I do not touch it. Misusing public money is more fearful than taking poison. You will surely be caught and made to pay when you arrive in the spirit world.
(January 13, 2001)

If you value your personal property more than public property, you are violating the way of Heaven. If you value your personal integrity more than public integrity, you are contrary to the way of Heaven.
(51:291, November 28, 1971)

The things that you own, your material possessions, are not truly your own; you are their temporary steward.
(23:334, June 15, 1969)

One of the main teachings of the Unification Church is: What is mine is yours, yours is the nation’s, the nation’s is the world’s, the world’s is God’s, and God’s is mine.
(57:272, June 4, 1972)