Oh dear...
Poor people who are desperate have been advised to shoplift from major stores...by an Anglican priest.
The Rev Tim Jones said in a sermon that stealing from shops was better than burglary, robbery or prostitution. He told stunned parishioners at St Lawrence's in York that it would not break the eighth commandment ‘Thou shalt not steal’. But his sermon has sparked outrage. The Diocese of York says Mr Jones is guilty of giving 'very bad advice' to poor people.
A spokesperson for the Diocese said: “That’s great that he is raising these issues because they are very real issues for people who face extraordinarily hard financial problems. But to offer shoplifting as a way out of that problem is misguided and very bad advice.” A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police also condemned the idea, branding it irresponsible, and insisting shoplifting is a criminal offence. The father of two, whose congregation is a mix of people, said his advice to people during a time of recession is that they should not hurt anybody and do the best they can.
He said: “The strong temptation is to burgle or rob people - family, friends, neighbours, strangers. Others are tempted towards prostitution, a nightmare world of degradation and abuse for all concerned. Others are tempted towards suicide. Instead, I would rather that they shoplift.”
A spokesman from the Christian Police Association said there has to be a better solution: “Instead of telling people who are hungry that they should go out and steal, we should be, as churches, looking for radical and innovative ways to help people who are hungry to obtain food."
Radical and innovative ways like : giving it to them. (Luke 3:11, Matt 6:3) I know that's over simplifying the matter, but...stealing food??
Source: Premier News via APN
