Is ‘Thou Shalt Not Steal’ Written in Stone?
London » For a 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’ sermon drew rebukes from fellow clergy, shop owners and police.
From his pulpit at the Church of St. Lawrence in York, 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. 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.
“The point we are most concerned about is that shoplifting is simply not a blameless, victimless crime,” she said. “And the last thing a desperate person wants is to be caught for shoplifting, so we feel this advice is very unwise.”
Jones said 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.
“The point I’m making is that when we shut down every socially acceptable avenue for people in need, then the only avenue left is the socially unacceptable one,” he said, adding that people are often released from prison without any means of support.
“What I’m against is the way society has become ever more comfortable with the people at the very bottom, and blinded to their needs,” he said.