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(Anglican) Priest tells congregation to shoplift; it's better than robbery or prostitution
Mail Online ^ | December 22, 2009 | CHRIS BROOKE

Posted on 12/22/2009 9:18:13 AM PST by NYer

Poor people who are desperate for cash have been advised to go forth and shoplift from major stores - by an Anglican priest.

The Rev Tim Jones said in his Sunday sermon that stealing from successful shops was preferable to burglary, robbery or prostitution.

He told parishioners it would not break the eighth commandment 'thou shalt not steal' because it 'is permissible for those who are in desperate situations to take food that they might not starve'.

But his advice was roundly condemned by police and the local Tory MP. Father Jones, 42, was discussing Mary and the birth of Jesus when he went on to the subject of how poor and vulnerable people cope in the run-up to Christmas.

'My advice, as a Christian priest, is to shoplift,' he told his stunned congregation at St Lawrence and St Hilda in York.

'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. I offer the advice with a heavy heart. Let my words not be misrepresented as a simplistic call for people to shoplift.

'The observation that shoplifting is the best option that some people are left with is a grim indictment of who we are.

'Rather, this is a call for our society no longer to treat its most vulnerable people with indifference and contempt.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Philosophy; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: anglican; prostitution; shoplift

'Highly irresponsible': Father Tim Jones has been criticised after advising his congregation to shoplift following his Nativity sermon

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1237470/Priest-advises-congregation-shoplift.html#ixzz0aRGq0vU2

1 posted on 12/22/2009 9:18:15 AM PST by NYer
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To: NYer
Yes, because a total breakdown in societal norms won't hurt anything.
2 posted on 12/22/2009 9:19:03 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (Islam is a religion of peace, and Muslims reserve the right to kill anyone who says otherwise.)
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To: netmilsmom; thefrankbaum; markomalley; Tax-chick; GregB; saradippity; Berlin_Freeper; Litany; ...

Ping!


3 posted on 12/22/2009 9:19:08 AM PST by NYer ("One Who Prays Is Not Afraid; One Who Prays Is Never Alone" - Benedict XVI)
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To: NYer

How about if people take money out of the collection plate, he shouldn’t have any problem with that, right??!? After all, they need the money.


4 posted on 12/22/2009 9:19:57 AM PST by dfwgator
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To: NYer
Yes, shoplift, because that is not stealing.
5 posted on 12/22/2009 9:20:03 AM PST by Mr. Jazzy ("I AM JIM THOMPSON and moderates make me PUKE!!!")
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To: NYer

And we wonder why the Anglican Church seems to be circling the drain.


6 posted on 12/22/2009 9:21:47 AM PST by YankeeReb (There's no such thing as Free Health care OR a JOBLESS RECOVERY)
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To: NYer

The Church of England is largely responsible for the decline of morality in Britain, because Satan’s own forces (Communists and fellow travelers) have pushed for the decline from within the C of E. This is a perfect example.


7 posted on 12/22/2009 9:23:33 AM PST by WashingtonSource
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To: NYer

Hey’ it’s the UK. Only Muslims can disobey the law. Everyone else cannot.

And we wonder why religion is dying in the UK.


8 posted on 12/22/2009 9:23:37 AM PST by Da Coyote
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To: NYer
Anglican) Priest tells congregation to shoplift; it's better than robbery or prostitution

A lot of our senators and representatives act like thieves and prostitutes. Seems to be a pretty lucrative line of work for THEM.

9 posted on 12/22/2009 9:26:39 AM PST by Wissa ("So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause."-Padme Amidala)
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To: Da Coyote

I would suggest that the false forms of religion are dying. People there seem to me to be starving for true religion and honest faith.

And I believe the British have been in this kind of predicament a number of times already. It may not seem like it to many because the cylce is so very slow (as in hundreds of years between recurrences). Not to minimize the pain that is going to ensue, but the tide will pass.


10 posted on 12/22/2009 9:27:56 AM PST by BelegStrongbow (I'm still waiting for Dear Leader to say something that isn't a lie)
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To: NYer

There is a special place in Hell for those that profess to be G-ds representative, but advocates the disobeidence to G-ds LAW.
Thou shall not steal.


11 posted on 12/22/2009 9:30:49 AM PST by Marty62 (former Marty60)
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To: NYer

If Anglican Father Tim says shoplifting is better than robbery or prostitution I think we have to take his word for it.


12 posted on 12/22/2009 9:33:14 AM PST by Old North State
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To: WashingtonSource

They infiltrated all religions and causes that pose as religion.


13 posted on 12/22/2009 9:34:17 AM PST by AliVeritas (Is it nothing to you all ye who pass by? Our brothers blood screams from the ground.)
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To: NYer
'Father Tim Jones is raising important issues about the difficulties people face when benefits are not forthcoming,

What? When benefits are not forthcoming?

'There are many organisations and charities working with people in need, and the Citizens' Advice Bureau is a good first place to call.'

What? Citizens Advice Bureau?

I thought the Church of England was dying, but it is evidently already dead.

How about this? A pastor teaching his people to pray and put their trust in God? That God will see them through.

And a pastor who teaches his people to reach out to one another, each one helping the other to get through tough times. How about a pastor teaching his people how Godly people face tough times and do it relying on God and one another.

And a pastor who organizes the men and women of the congregation to go out and find people in the church and out of the church who are in trouble and see to their needs. This is what you find in churches that are not dead.

This is what I am seeing where I am.

14 posted on 12/22/2009 9:35:20 AM PST by marron
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To: NYer

There’s nothing like obstanacy, it gets better:

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Yorkshire-Priest-defends-shoplifting-sermon.5931050.jp


15 posted on 12/22/2009 9:36:29 AM PST by AliVeritas (Is it nothing to you all ye who pass by? Our brothers blood screams from the ground.)
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To: dfwgator

The church used to be the major source of charity in Europe, offering everything from free hospitals, to food, to legal assistance. Basically, everything that the poor could need. They of course could not supply every need since needs are endless and the poor you will have with you always.

So, government has now become the de facto religion that is supposed to supply all of these needs. Government took over at the point of a gun in fact because they lusted for power over peoples lives. Now government owns it and just like the church, they can’t provide every need.

Now church and government will tell you you’re on your own. Go steal if you have a need.

By the way, why is shoplifting better than robbery or prostitution? I didn’t know there was some kind of sin scorecard. If there is, I wonder how cheating on your taxes scores? Better than shoplifting?


16 posted on 12/22/2009 9:38:05 AM PST by seowulf (Petraeus, cross the Rubicon.)
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To: NYer

NAMBLA fan


17 posted on 12/22/2009 10:03:54 AM PST by Pajama Blogger (Pajama Power)
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To: NYer

As far as not hurting the big chains.

One of the Walmarts in town was shoplifted out of business.

So rather than having a reasonably priced store in a less than upscale part of town they have nothing.


18 posted on 12/22/2009 1:23:33 PM PST by TASMANIANRED
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