Thank you all for chiming in on this. You are provoking me in a good way.

I do need to provide for my family. The question for me then is how far would I go to keep a roof over our heads and food in the pantry? Would I kill, rob a bank, sell my body? No I wouldn't do any of those things. I would find another way to take care of my family's needs. Would I turn my back on victims if it makes it 'easier' to keep a roof over our heads? Where is the line? Can there even be a line if one is truly driven by principles and values? That is the simple question I feel I am being asked to answer for myself. If something is on the continuum of the whole is it not still part of the whole? Can we apply a principle to one thing and not apply the same principle to another on the same continuum of compromised principles?

I am not trying to be arguementative with anyone. It probably sounds like I am but what I hope I am doing is to clarify for myself what principles are at play here and how I can honour myself and my beliefs to determine how I will play them out. How I can get my cake and eat it too.

Here is a quote from a random site that speaks about principle-centred living. I read Stephen Covey's books years ago and it added food for thought while I moved towards a more principle-centred lifestyle.

Quote:

When you are principle centered, you endeavor to live your life in adherence to immutable natural laws which cannot be violated with impunity. You only make choices based on your core values and beliefs grounded in correct principles which always leads to true growth and happiness. Instead of placing a high value on things which are temporary; place the highest value on principles because they are eternal.

http://www.deanlforbes.com/dlf/2011/01/principle-centered.html

Thanks again for your input.