BRIBERY AND SOLICITATION

BRIBERY AND SOLICITATION Bribery and solicitation are different from each other, but there could be a symbiotic relationship between the two. Bribery is directly related to corruption, because when a bribe is offered, the person of influence becomes corrupt, and graft happens consequently. That is the reason why it could be said that bribery could be the cause of corruption, which is in turn the cause of graft. Solicitation on the other hand is different, because it is the “applicant” who offers something of value to the person of influence, in exchange for a favor or some kind of approval. Although it goes through another route, the result of solicitation is the same, when the person of influence grants the favor or approval to the “applicant”. What can a good Christian do when he or she encounters a corruptible person of influence? Obviously, the good Christian should not be the first to offer a bribe, because bribery is clearly a sin. But what if the person of influence is the first to demand a bribe? I think that could already be considered as a solicitation, and the good Christian may now decide in his conscience what to do, in the best interests of his or her business or employer. This goes without saying that a good Christian who is in a position of influence should not solicit anything from an applicant. There is no other way around that. IKE SENERES/04-29-2024