Terrorism in Va.-UCC church hymnals burned/anti-gay graffiti

[underpants]

Yep no better way to show that you are one with a gay hatin' God than burning hymnals.


Fire, hate sear church
Graffiti suggests link to national church's gay-marriage stand
http://www.newsleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050710/NEWS01/507100323/1002

MIDDLEBROOK —Members of St. John's Reformed United Church of Christ awoke Saturday morning to discover their church severely damaged by smoke and anti-gay graffiti painted on the side of the building.

The vandalism contained anti-gay messages and a declaration that United Church of Christ members were sinners. The graffiti's message appeared to be a reference to the national church's decision last week to endorse gay and lesbian marriages, Shultz said.

Firefighters removed a stack of burned hymnals. Police cordoned off the sanctuary, but through the windows a portion of the choir loft and a pew that had been damaged by the fire were visible.

Smoke damage will keep the congregation out of its sanctuary, but members still intend to have a 225th anniversary celebration this morning. They'll move it onto the front lawn and use tents, Pastor Dorcas Lohr said. ( Good for them-it was a very beautiful day for it)

Picture
http://cmsimg.newsleader.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=AA&Date=20050710&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=507100323&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=290

[cdb]

1. Fred Phelps, perhaps?

Or maybe his influence is more far reaching thatn we suspect...

[underpants]

3. Heavily Mennonite population there

I doubt that it was anyone of that crowd, probably either "sectarian" locals or outsiders (Interstates 64 and 81 cross in Augusta county).

[TWiley]

17. Ordinary garden-variety Rebublican Bastards.

The world is full of them.

Not too long ago the same Christian community used to write "Nigger Lovers" on the walls of their victims.

[bryant69]

2. Nice

Nice to know we have homegrown terrorists to go along with the international variety.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[bushisanidiot]

4. I can't believe that in 2005 right wing nutso's are still burning churches

down..

somehow, I don't think Jesus wants terrorism committed in His name.

[underpants]

6. I wouldn't worry about it, they are clearly in their last throes

Truth is they actually FAILED because they are FAILURES

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. A mosque, now a liberal church. :^(

[bushisanidiot]

7. They hate us for our freedom

n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

Yeah. That "free will" thing really sticks in their craws.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

21. Good thing Atheists don't have official meeting buildings

:scared:

[ck4829]

8. Whoever did this were terrorists

I mean if animal activists can be called this then so can these bigots.

I'm waiting for the 'christian' Right to denounce these attacks since that is what they tell Muslims (myself included) every time the 'islamic' Right does a terrorist attack.

[Gay Green]

10. There will be glaciers in Hell

before the Xtian Right denounces terrorism by Xtian bigots.

[noonwitch]

9. My guess is a group of white males, ages 16-25

If I were the local police, I'd be looking at the local shitkickers' bar for the culprits.

[Tsiyu]

11. Let me guess- persecuted fundy Christians

did this, to show the world how persecuted they are......:puke:

[Javaman]

12. Correct, they aren't terrorist, they are disgruntled citizens....

If you are white, christian and plant bombs, burn down things or create an atmosphere filled with terror, you aren't a terrorist, you are a domestic fear instigator...

[Tsiyu]

14. Can you imagine the MSM coverage

if this happened at FundyLand? Oh, I should NOT say this, but I will almost bet there will be copycats soon - situations where Fundies do this to their own facilities to distract attention.

If they believe there is any Great Eye In The Sky, they sure don't act like it's watching what they do. Despicable cowards, the lot of them.

Anyone who terrorizes churches, mosques, temples, other places of worship - for whatever reason - is a sick, unstable, fascist terrorist.

[DanCa]

13. This red thing that the fristian's worship isn't Jesus Christ.

The God my mother taught me about, the one that I go to the episcopal church to on sunday would never codone such acts. Why is it that people are so hung up on a person's orientation that they over look what is in that person's heart and character? That they blasphemy Christ own teachings and do something this barbariac.

This Sunday Father Jim Told us that Christ greatest commandment was to love our neighbor it wasn't hyphenated to exclude gblt, or by party affilation, or thier stance on reproductive issues.

This whole thing really sickens beyond words. I would like to conclude by saying this to anyone hurt by these acts by falwells and the phelps out there I am truly sorry. He doesnt speak speak for the millions of christians that strongly disagree with him. Alls I know is that my god loves anyone whose basicaly a good person.
Peace everyone no more no less. Danny.

[underpants]

15. Exactly! I go by what Jesus himself said about gays in the book...

uh.. oh wait Jesus never said anything about gays.

Well put DanCa

[gratuitous]

16. Clean up the mess, buy new hymnals, the congregation continues

As they have for 225 years, this congregation will continue, the ultimate triumph and no better "in-your-face" response to the bigots and the haters. I believe I'll send them $25 to help defray their expenses.

[pelagius]

18. Wonderful idea!

I'm going to kick in a few bux, too.

[underpants]

20. I can't find a website -- 540-885-2107

I hope this helps (I think it is the right one)

http://www.google.com/local?q=st+john%27s+reformed+united+church+of+christ&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&rls=RNWE,RNWE:2004-17,RNWE:en&sa=X&near=Middlebrook,+VA+24459&radius=0&latlng=38024158,-79281165,3435303196607734033

[pelagius]

23. Thanks. Here's the address...

St John's Reformed United Church of Christ
1515 Arborhill Rd
Staunton, VA 24401

[pelagius]

24. The reason this cowardly attack was made...

...is because the General Synod of the UCC (the denomination's government body) delegates voted overwhelmingly in support of same-gender marriage equality, both in the religious and secular spheres.

The are the first mainline Christian denomination to do so.

More details at:

www.ucc.org

[PsychoDad]

19. Mosques, Churches...

The hate knows no bounds.

My heart goes out to the church in Va. May God bless them and bring something positive out of the ashes.

Peace be to you.

[Generic Other]

22. The Born Against swear on a stack of burning hymnals

that God is on their side...

[baby_mouse]

25. May their creator send them

...to the fire that was prepared for them.