Now sin is sin, crime is crime and wrong is wrong, and theft is theft.
But there are degrees of theft, from the shoplifted Fairy Liquid to the steal to order car to the airport security heist – they've all been in the news.
There is serious theft, then there's the nuisance theft, and then there's the daft theft.
Which brings me to this
which you can read more about on the link below.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-26882776
Now I understand about the Gnomes of Zurich, but the Gnomes of Banff?
Seem funny? Well, actually no. I have a friend who lives alone who had a pot with winter flowering plants lifted from her door recently. She was upset for two reasons – it was a gift from a thoughtful friend as a reminder in winter of friendship and Spring. And she was seriously spooked that someone of ill intent had been so near her house door.
So I'm glad they caught the thieves, and hope some Magistrate somewhere takes into consideration the feelings of threat and even fear that is caused when someone tip-toes near your home to steal. It doesn't actually matter what was stolen – but that such close-up theft violates your space, your privacy and your safety.
Today I'm preaching on forgiveness and I'm wondering how I'd be feeling if I recognised one of nthose garden gnomes as mine. The question is hypothetical for two reasons – I can think of fewer fatuous objects than a technicolour Oor Wullie sticking his spiky head above the tulips; and it wasn't me that was scared.
As part of a victim awareness programme it would be interesting for the gnome thiefs to be required to meet gnome owners, to hear what it feels like to have someone invade their space, privacy and safety. The impact of the crime is so much deeper than the cost of a gnome or two. And all the humourous thoughts of re-setting gnomes, checking out car boot sales for missing gnomes, police interceptors in pursuit of a van full of gnomes – the stuff of comedy, except for the fear and uncertainty the thieves leave behind.
n stealing .
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