Would you loot if your gov't collapsed or was liberated? OR When is looting ethical?

[monkspider]

This should be an interesting change of pace.
If the government of your country collapsed or was "liberated" by a foreign power, would you loot? Or if not, when would you find looting ethical?
I am somewhat torn. For example, the arguement could be made that looting is theft, which is wrong. But the counter-arguement could just as easily be made that looting is taking back what is yours from those who have held you in chains for so long. Now, that said, there are examples where looting is wrong no matter what, such as looting a hospital, or looting some poor old ladys house.

[DinoDoc]

You tell me. When would you, being the good Christian, decide that the commandment regarding theft no longer applied to you?

[monkspider]

Ya see, that's the crux of the question for me DinoD. When would something cease to become theft and become taking something that is your rightful property? Or would it ever?
It is somewhat distressing as I am for the most part an absolutist when it comes to questions of morality. Here I reach an impasse. I would be interested in hearing some of the arguements for both sides.

[Inverse Icarus]

looting is immoral, plain and simple.

i understand your argument, if i were an oppressed Iraqi i'd probably feel like i should get mine, but looting is still wrong.

i'd start a drilling company and outsell OPEC

[Q Classic]

i don't like looting so much. particularly because i'm physically less strong as most others, and thus i would both be at risk of being looted from (if i had anything of value), or being unable to loot.

it's a question of relative power, i must say.

[Evil Knevil]

I'd loot: loot early and loot often. Its worth it.

If our corrupt Labour Government collapsed then I'd be roaming around the country in a pickup truck shooting at the 'great and the good'.

I think looting of government or administration buildings is 'ok' since its a psychological payback for years of misrule.
Especially since a new administration can't use all of the tools and buildings of the old if it wants to be taken seriously.

However looting of private property (unless its the palaces of the powerful/old order) shouldn't be allowed as it creates more problems/ disputes.

[loinburger]

Looting is ethical iff it involves free beer.

[General Ludd]

I wouldn't go looting. Not because I think it is unethical, but beacause I am lazy.

[Skanky Burns]

I'd be too busy surfing the net.

[Elok]

Originally posted by Skanky Burns
I'd be too busy surfing the net.

What if looters had taken your modem? That's why I would "loot" some form of rifle from somewhere and stop there.

[Lincoln]

Sometimes the veil of authority is lifted over a people or nation. Justice may ensue at first but then you can expect vengeance. Looting reminds me of a prison riot, particularly one that occured in New Mexico. The oppressive and cruel guards got their just reward for their willfull torment of the inmates. Then they started torturing each other. Eventually many started giving themselves up to avoid their fellow prisoners.

I suppose that if someone took something from me under cover of law and then the society became lawless I would be tempted to take the (non existing) law into my own hands and get my stuff back. I say tempted, but I hope that I would not actually do it. Jesus said to let them have the stuff.

[Skanky Burns]

If they entered my house, they wouldn't live long enough to find my modem. One of my hobbies is to collect sharp swords.

[Az]

erm... maybe.

[Urban Ranger]

Looting is merely a form of redistributing wealth. Granted, it is not a very civilised or equal form.

I'll go liberate gold and jewelry from the bank.

[Az]

Actually, I don't think that it would be the right thing to do. or even an OK thing to do. but I would still probably do it.