Somebody's going to be very surprised at the White Throne.
Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.
Posted on 12/21/2009 6:49:32 AM PST by marshmallow
A clergyman has been criticised as 'highly irresponsible' after advising his congregation to shoplift following his Nativity sermon.
Father Tim Jones, 41, broke off from his traditional annual sermon yesterday to tell his flock that stealing from large chains is sometimes the best option for vulnerable people.
It is far better for people desperate during the recession to shoplift than turn to 'prostitution, mugging or burglary', he said.
The married father-of-two insisted his unusual advice did not break the Bible commandment 'Thou shalt not steal' - because God's love for the poor outweighs his love for the rich.
But the minister's controversial sermon at St Lawrence Church in York has been slammed by police and a local MP, who say that no matter what the circumstances, shoplifting is an offence.
Delivering his festive lesson, Father Jones told the congregation: 'My advice, as a Christian priest, is to shoplift. I do not offer such advice because I think that stealing is a good thing, or because I think it is harmless, for it is neither.
'I would ask that they do not steal from small family businesses, but from large national businesses, knowing that the costs are ultimately passed on to the rest of us in the form of higher prices.
'I would ask them not to take any more than they need, for any longer than they need.
'I offer the advice with a heavy heart and wish society would recognise that bureaucratic ineptitude and systematic delay has created an invitation and incentive to crime for people struggling to cope.'
He added that he felt society had failed the needy, and said it was far better they shoplift than turn to more degrading or violent options such as prostitution, mugging or burglary.
Father Jones cited the example of an ex-prisoner.............
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
“God’s love for the poor outweighs his love for the rich.”
I want to remind Father Tim Jones that teachers of scripture are going to be judged by a higher standard. He should probably consider that next time he wants to preach heresy.
According the Scriptures, God's love for both the poor and the rich is equal. He gave His only Son for all of them.
The man is insane. God loves the poor more than the rich? It’s all about money to these communists.
The Godfather.
But I would never think that God approves of it. I would know that I had sinned as well as committed a crime for which, if caught, I would deservedly go to jail.
And it shouldn't be preached in Church regardless. What the Church should preach is share your blessings with the less fortunate. And there are plenty of organizations that will put food in your mouth, even for druggies on the street.
Outrageous!
I wonder how he would feel if some people started making “withdrawls” from the collection plate instead of putting money into it?
Why shouldn’t they just take what they need from the collection plate? After all, isn’t that the purpose of the collection?
Strange. I thought God loved us all.
Wonderful - now we are allowed to interpret Gods laws as we see fit according to our own needs and situational requirements! (sarc)
That may be true, but its hardly a justification. Besides, people dont tend to shoplift food, and they dont shoplift clothes because they havent got anything to wear! They shoplift designer fashions that they can sell to get money, usually for drugs.
‘the falcon does not hear the Falconer.’
What a maroon. Next the CoE will say that it’s ok tomurder!
Not to nitpick, but that statement does not seem to be a direct quote from the minister, but the Daily Mail’s interpretation.
Further down in the article the minister is quoted as saying:
“My advice does not contradict the Bible’s eighth commandment because God’s love for the poor and despised outweighs the property rights of the rich.”
He specifically does not state that God loves the poor more than the rich.
Note that I’m not defending this guy in any way, nor do I agree with his sentiments. Just pointing out inaccuracy in reporting (from the Daily Mail?! Gasp!).
“Thou shalt not steal” doesn’t appear to have a lot of wiggle room.
Somebody's going to be very surprised at the White Throne.
****He specifically does not state that God loves the poor more than the rich.
Note that I’m not defending this guy in any way, nor do I agree with his sentiments. Just pointing out inaccuracy in reporting (from the Daily Mail?! Gasp!)****
I understand that you do not concur with the minister but I would like to point out that he is not only promoting theft which is a violation of a commandment, he is also promoting the coveting of thy neighbors possessions. He promotes two violations at once.
Covetousness is the Communists core tool to manipulate people into living an ungodly lifestyle.
Matthew 5:19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
What he is counseling is destructive not only to the economy that sustains everyone, but also to the souls of those who follow his idiotic advice. Covetness and greed are no less sins to the so-called "needy" than they are to the rich.
Great Britain is doomed.
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