Off Topic; David Bowie influenced?
marc rosen
Sorry about it being off topic, but this is the only music group I
read or post to.
Marc
(pasted for your pleasure (no Roxy Music influence, though))
By GREGORY KATZ
Associated Press Writer
Latest News from Britain
British priest: Shoplifting by poor sometimes OK
LONDON (AP) -- 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' 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
(355 kilometers) 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.
"Father Tim Jones is raising important issues about the difficulties
people face when benefits are not forthcoming, but shoplifting is not
the way to overcome these difficulties. There are many organizations
and charities working with people in need, and the Citizens' Advice
Bureau is a good first place to call," Seed's statement 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. "We want to make clear
that it simply doesn't help people. And the last thing a desperate
person wants is to be caught for shoplifting, so we feel this advice
is very unwise."
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.
"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, leading them back
into crime.
"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.
He said shoplifting could help people who are legally entitled to
government welfare benefits but have the benefits delayed for
bureaucratic reasons.
This approach was quickly rejected by members of the British Retail
Consortium, a prominent trade organization trying to reduce theft.
"It's the job of our welfare system, which retailers support with the
billions they pay each year in tax, to help vulnerable people," said
spokesman Richard Dodd. "There are no excuses for stealing."
The North Yorkshire Police also condemned Jones' approach as
counterproductive because people already in marginal conditions would
find themselves in trouble with the law if they resorted to
shoplifting.
"First and foremost, shoplifting is a criminal offense, and to justify
this course of action under any circumstances is highly
irresponsible," a police statement read. "Turning or returning to
crime will only make matters worse, that is a guarantee."
People in need should turn to charitable organizations and government
agencies for help, rather than take matters into their own hands, the
police said.
"To do this would make the downward spiral even more rapid, both on an
individual basis and on society as a whole," the statement said.
progea
Biffy the Elephant Shrew
Your pal,
Biffy the Elephant Shrew