A priest in England preached a sermon that said it was morally justifiable for the poor to shoplift. Father Tim Jones said that he did not believe it was right for people to shoplift but maintained it was the “least worst option” for people in desperate situations.
He gave the example of prisoners being released from prison without benefits or other financial assistance. He said it was for better for people in such circumstances to turn to shoplifting from large retailers rather than turning to prostitution, mugging or burglary.
He said, “My advice does not contradict the Bible’s eighth commandment [do not steal] because God’s love for the poor and despised outweighs the property rights of the rich.”
A spokesman for an English supermarket chain Asda responded that shoplifting affected hardworking store staff more than the rich. He challenged the priest to repeat his sermon before the local store’s workers and see how they responded.
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Original article:
“Priest: Shoplifting is ‘Least Worst Option’ for Poor,” by Charles Boyd, Christian Today reporter, 22 Dec 2009, < http://www.christianpost.com/news/priest-says-it-s-ok-for-poor-to-shoplift-42395/ >.
A Church of England priest has found himself at the center of controversy after he told his congregation it was morally justifiable for the poor to shoplift.
Father Tim Jones of St. Lawrence and Hilda Church in York said this week that he did not believe it was right for people to shoplift but maintained it was the “least worst option” for people in desperate situations.
He gave the example of prisoners being released from prison without benefits or other financial assistance, saying it was for better for people in such circumstances to turn to shoplifting from large retailers rather than prostitution, mugging or burglary.
“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,” he said in a sermon Sunday.
A spokesman for supermarket chain Asda, in response, argued that shoplifting affected hardworking store staff more than the rich.
“Maybe Father Tim Jones could repeat his sermon at our York store and see what reaction he gets?” he was quoted as saying by the York Press. “He’s one psalm short of a sermon!”