[Vision2020] Priest Says It’s OK for Desperate to Shoplift

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (December 23, 2009) Spokesman-Review.

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Priest says it’s OK for desperate to shoplift

LONDON – For an Anglican priest in northern England, the commandment that
dictates “thou shalt not steal” isn’t exactly written in stone.

The Rev. Tim Jones caused an uproar by telling his congregation that it is
sometimes acceptable for desperate people to shoplift – as long as they do
it at large national chain stores, rather than small, family businesses.

Jones’ Robin Hood-like sermon drew rebukes Tuesday from fellow clergy,
shop owners and police.

>From his pulpit at the Church of St. Lawrence in York, about 220 miles
north of London, Jones said in his sermon Sunday that shoplifting can be
justified if a person in real need is not greedy and does not take more
than he or she really needs to get by.

The remarks drew a summons from Archdeacon Richard Seed, who said on his
Web site that the church rejects the view that shoplifting can be
acceptable.

“The Church of England does not advise anyone to shoplift, or break the
law in any way,” he said.

Eleanor Course, a spokeswoman for Seed, said the archdeacon wants to meet
with Jones to discuss the “appropriateness” of his sermon.

Jones told the Associated Press that he stands by his comments. He said he
regretted only that the media is focusing on his view on shoplifting
rather than the underlying problem he wanted to address.

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Reverend Tim Jones

http://tinyurl.com/RevTimJones

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Reminder:  Only two more shopping days until Christmas.

I'm guessin' there ain't gonna be any Wal-Mart Supercenter in the Reverend
Tim Jones' neighborhood any time soon.

Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails."

- Unknown