Priest tells members to shoplift to survive.
By Graham Smith
Last updated at 4:57 PM on 21st December 2009
'Highly irresponsible': Father Tim Jones has been criticised after advising his congregation to shoplift following his Nativity sermon
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, the British Retail Consortium and a local MP, who all 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 who had been forced to live on less than £100, including a crisis loan, over six weeks after his release from jail.
He continued: '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.
'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. Providing inadequate or clumsy social support is monumental, catastrophic folly.'
But a spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: 'First and foremost, shoplifting is a criminal offence and to justify this course of action under any circumstances is highly irresponsible.
'Turning or returning to crime will only make matters worse, that is a guarantee. We recognise some people find themselves in difficult circumstances but support is readily available and must be sought.'
Local Tory MP Anne McIntosh, who has campaigned in Parliament for stronger sentences for shoplifters, admitted that there had been an 'over-commercialisation' of the festive period which encourages people to spend.
But she said: 'I cannot condone inciting anyone to commit a criminal offence, shoplifting is a crime against the whole local community and society.'
Richard Dodd, spokesman for the British Retail Consortium, said he was surprised that a priest was encouraging his congregation to steal.
'He's failing to appreciate that it's the job of our welfare system to deal with vulnerable people,' he said. 'That's how to deal with the vulnerable, not calling for them to steal from shops.'
Mr Dodd added: 'Stealing is wrong and it isn't less wrong to steal from a big retailer than it is to steal from a small retailer.
'I thought this was a central part of every religion.'
This isn't the first time Father Jones has courted controversy.
He hit the headlines in May 2008 when he protested against a shop stocking Playboy stationery aimed at youngsters. He tossed the items onto the floor complaining they were 'cynical and wicked'. The shop bowed to his one-man protest and agreed to stop stocking Playboy-branded merchandise.
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: revolution depression economy repression government
I like this idea. Who gives a shit about big retail giants? I don't. When children are starving and their parents can't buy them food because they were laid off from their jobs, then yeah, steal it. It cost's a store pennies on the dollar for the food and merchandise they buy and then they make huge profits on it. If a woman is being raped are you going to persecute her for attacking her assailant because battery is an offense? It's the same principle for a starving family. It's called survival and it shouldn't be a crime.
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Good for him. I make it a point to shoplift from Walmart every chance I get, not that I can't afford it, but I consider it 'subversive shoplifting.'
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There are a lot of self important people like this mike revero character, that although has an informative website, still takes the time to narcisitically display his "action figure" while telling poor people not to steal because it offends his culturally conditioned sensibilities. He implies the poor are "everyone else." What an elitist simpleton loser.
All Americans are poor now, which makes his statement ironically true, but still low on the "moral pyramid."
Simple rule for now: Steal anything that is not bolted down from the obviously wealthy, corporations and government. Believe me, in the end you are not "stealing" you are just taking back the money they stole from you through taxes, that went to bankers and killing brown babies 10,00 miles away for empire America. Think for your self folks.
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It's not a new idea. Confucius said "When you live in a country that is run by thieves there is no dishonor in being a thief out of necessity."
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I don't censor here, but I've always enjoyed Mike's site. It takes a lot of work to do something to that caliber, I could only wish I could do the same.
I certainly enjoy his persona more than Alex Jones.... although both do a great job.
I love that people steal from wal-mart! LOL! That just cracks me up.
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When did God become a moral relativist? This guy should be defrocked. If for no other reason than he believes he can speak for God.
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Saint-Thomas of Aquinos said the same as Father Tim Jones centuries ago: to steal when one is in need or hungry isn't a sin. Back to the future...
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I must say stealing is not only wrong but it is even forbidden.
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