I wonder if God told him to tell them this..

KWSS1976 · #1 12-21-2009, 03:10 PM

Priest in Britain Advises Congregation to Shoplift

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,...est=latestnews

A priest in Britain is under fire Monday for advising his congregation to shoplift in tough economic times, the Daily Mail reports.

Father Tim Jones, a 41-year-old clergyman at St. Lawrence Church in York, England, said that shoplifting — rather than prostitution or burglary — is sometimes the best option for poor people struggling to make ends meet, according to the Web site.

"My advice as a Christian priest is to shoplift," Jones reportedly told churchgoers during his Sunday sermon. "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," he continued.

"I would ask them not to take any more than they need, for any longer than they need ... 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."

Jones' sermon, meanwhile, has been blasted by police, the British Retail Consortium and a local MP who all say that shoplifting is a crime regardless of circumstances

Jermyn Davidson · #2 12-21-2009, 04:15 PM

I don't.

He understands and He is touched by our burdens and afflictions-- but He does not advise us to steal.

That would be like God telling me it's ok for me to have an unsaved, worldly girl friend while I wait on God to provide a godly wife because He understands that there are some nights I am just too weak to be faithful.

freeatlast · #3 12-21-2009, 04:23 PM

idiot

KWSS1976 · #4 12-21-2009, 04:24 PM

LOL

OneAccord · #5 12-21-2009, 05:05 PM

Nope. God didn't tell him that. What God DID tell him to do was to help the poor. I wonder if he is doing that?

seguidordejesus · #6 12-21-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

I don't.

He understands and He is touched by our burdens and afflictions-- but He does not advise us to steal.

That would be like God telling me it's ok for me to have an unsaved, worldly girl friend while I wait on God to provide a godly wife because He understands that there are some nights I am just too weak to be faithful.

Now that one I could have handled!! lol

pelathais · #7 12-21-2009, 06:57 PM

I suspect the priest's intent was to make more of a social commentary than to offer advice to his congregants on how to make it through the holidays. He plays to the "corporations are evil" theme and seems to be saying it's fair to plunder them.