Taffy,
A neat question.
the question is basically.....if i want to do something illegal/immoral, as in REALLY want to do it, but dont do it because of fear of punishment, is it as bad MORALLY as actually doing it?
First define what you think is morality. One person’s view can be very different from another’s. And religious morality is very different to a secular morality. Once you are happy with a comfortable definition then that will allow you to easily guide your actions and whether you should commit this action. It will be very clear. I’ll come back to this in a moment.
Secondly: Estimate the long-term benefits or disadvantages of your action. If the short-term result is a temporary gratification but the long-term effects are feelings of guilt and regret then that latter effect will generate significant stress in your life, and if there is the chance of being eventually found out then that will generate feelings of fear, all of which generate significant stress. Stress has the effect of many other disadvantages – ill-health, unhappiness, etc. Balance these disadvantages with what you might gain.
Back to morality: This is concerned with what you see as good and bad. From my perspective good is anything that helps me to survive, or in other words something that enhances life. Anything bad are things that detract from life. Anything that makes me happy and free of stress will tend to extend my life with quality. Feelings of guilt, fear, worry and stress, will tend to shorten my life and make me miserable.
Religious morality is far more confusing and has nothing to do with your well-being. Religious morality is a set of commands defined as if coming from an authoritarian supernatural being purely for the benefit of that entity. If you believe that such an entity exists and you break one of the rules then the punishment is usually some form of eternal damnation. If you follow the rules then you achieve eternal paradise when you die. Your guideline for whether you commit an immoral act in this regime is governed by a fear of eternal damnation. Religions rule by fear.
Back to your question: If your sense of morality is strong (well defined in your mind) and comfortable then committing the act will be equally bad as it is morally bad, they are one and the same thing. The fear of punishment should not be the deciding factor. However, such fear of being caught or the misery of the punishment will very likely diminish your quality of life, i.e. will detract from life (morally bad).
Other considerations: To maintain a good quality life I need to be surrounded by a helping and happy society. If I steal from or harm others then that action will detract from the happiness of my society and that ultimately detracts from the quality of my life. Such actions against others are therefore morally bad within this definition. Helping others or society increases their happiness and quality of life and that in turn enhances my quality of life (morally good).
So here are two rules that I follow as my primary guidelines –
Everyone should be free to do anything they wish providing such actions do not interfere with the freedom of others. Essentially live and let live.
Seek out and participate in any activities that enhance life and that of others, and avoid any actions to the contrary.
The key to answering your own question is to establish a clear definition of what you understand by morality.
Cris