How low can you go? Apparently pretty low, if these two women are any example. It seems there's little regard for the sanctity of church these days, and the pastor's personal property, as well as church funds, were stolen. The article states that one of the women was seen in the church before, so it appears the perpetrators might be local. The women were caught on video, and hopefully someone will recognize them and turn them in.
I'm pretty sure they'll be caught, especially the one who was the most active, as she is shown very clearly in the video. She had no idea she was on camera. Of course, if she were Hillary Clinton, the news story would be about how she was illegally videotaped.
You would think so, wouldn't you? It happens here all the time. The cops have clear videos showing closeups of the faces, bodies, clothing, etc., and yet no one comes forward. I think it has to do with the type of people they hang out with and are related to. Often, they are all into the same types of activities, and if that's the case, they wouldn't have a problem with the theft. Unfortunately, that group seems to be growing larger. So true re: Hillary. The headline would blare about how her constitutional rights were violated.
If you're not religious though, stealing from a church would be the same as stealing from a store. The church aspect would mean nothing to them. If they are religious then maybe they needed money for drugs....those are the most desperate thieves I think, but I'm just guessing.
I am a Catholic and part of the church service called mass is the collection of alms. In the olden days, when I was still a student, I remember the collection basket. It is a real basket, a medium sized woven rattan that holds the collection. If you have quick hands, you can either put in money in the basket or take out money from the basket. As years passed, that collection basket underwent a metamorphosis that now, it is a shame to see the collection box, yeah, not basket anymore but a box made of wood. Worse, the box has a hole like a piggy bank where you insert the money. And the box comes with a pad lock so not anyone can open it. That's the sign of the times.
Wow, I haven't seen one with a padlock on it. In the Catholic churches here (and back home), the ushers (my Dad was one, so I probably paid a bit more attention) would take up the collection, and the baskets were on long poles. They were woven as you mentioned @Corie Henson), but the ushers were keeping an eye on them, and they slowly pushed the baskets a bit farther along the aisle, and they would reach about halfway down a pew, as there'd be an usher at each end. At the church where I worked (a Presbyterian church) and the Methodist one we'd sometimes attend as girl scouts, the baskets were much like you initially described, and were woven, and passed along by each person to the next one, so I'm sure there was more opportunity to take something out. Those funds were used for church and parish matters, and any unusual needs were usually announced during the mass, particularly if there was to be a second collection for a designated purpose. There were also collection boxes at the back of each Catholic church back then, and people would put the random few cents or more in as they were exiting. Those funds were used for the poor. The churches here for the most part don't even deal with the poor individually. They most often contribute funds to local interfaith centers, and that's where people in need go. There are also the specific ministries of churches, such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the case of the Catholic Church, and St. Stephen's Ministry at the local Methodist Church here...I don't know if that's universal or just local. I don't know what it's like to grow up without religion, but I was taught to respect myself, my family, others in the community, the institutions of society, and not to bring shame to my family by acting out or doing anything untoward or criminal. I'm sure some who are brought up without religion were probably taught right from wrong, though, and I guess these people aren't in that group, or as @Chrissy Page mentioned, were on drugs and seeking money for a fix. From what I've seen here lately, though, it seems this is a way of life for many, and they have no regard for anything in our society. There are definitely some seeking money or things to sell out of desperation, but there are also many who choose to steal or commit other criminal acts because they don't want to work a regular job, and they get a thrill out of taking from others.
That's exactly how I was raised and how I raised my children...to me it seems so simple and I can't understand why It goes wrong...maybe I'm just lucky. I went to a catholic school but we weren't a very religious family. My kids went to a public school and I kind of followed catholic tradition but not strictly at all....but I Always expected all the things you mention @Diane Lane.