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FAQ's About Writing

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Q: Using The Material of Others

I had this thought that bothers me. Plagiarizing is to use and pass off (the ideas or writings of another) as one's own. We as Christian writers all use one source -- the Bible. We each draw what we need to make our point from the Bible. So you see the same teachings on a regular basis, just written with a different slant. I've had great teachers, I love the examples they use from the Bible to make points, and I use the same Bible stories to make the same points. Is that plagiarism?

A: Plagiarism occurs when you use another writer's words, passing it off as your original work, and not crediting the author. Only a particular arrangement of words can be copyright.Ideas cannot. Concepts cannot. Even stories cannot when they are retold in an author's own words. HOWEVER, as a Christian it is a matter of courtesy and honesty to give honor where honor is due.So if you use a story, the source of which you know, and it is an author-specific story (as opposed to a story in wide circulation), it is better to credit the source. So, sometimes it's a judgment call.

You have three alternatives:

Just use the story
Use the story and credit the source
Use the story, credit the source, AND get permission.

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