Hateful
I've never understood why people vandalize places of worship. I just don't get it. If there is a God, chances are pretty good that no mere human has the complete and irrefutable take on Godhood, so attacking a symbol like a church could really be a serious mistake. If there isn't a God, vandalizing a church is sort of a meaningless waste of time. Like I said, I just don't get it.
Today's Washington Post has an article about arson at a small UCC church about to celebrate its anniversary.
Last weekend, someone broke into St. John's Reformed United Church of Christ. The perpetrator smashed a window of the fellowship room, then crawled in and set fire to a pew and the choir platform where the organist plays. The only clue to motive was anti-gay graffiti spray-painted on the red brick wall in the rear.
Five days earlier, the General Synod of the national church announced its endorsement of same-sex marriage, though its decision is not binding on individual churches.
The irony of this hateful act is that the arsonist may just very well have radicalized many members of the congregation on the issue.
The St. John's congregation of 150 has never taken a position on the issue. By all accounts, most parishioners would oppose it. But as the only UCC church in the area, St. John's became a target.
The good news in the article is that the community has come to the aid of the church:
Many churches nearby responded to the incident with an outpouring of support. A Presbyterian church down the road provided two tents for the anniversary service. A Lutheran church offered its kitchen to prepare the food.
The bad news is that none of the local pols seem to care too much:
No elected official, however, has issued a public condemnation.
Like I said, I just don't get it.
Today's Washington Post has an article about arson at a small UCC church about to celebrate its anniversary.
Last weekend, someone broke into St. John's Reformed United Church of Christ. The perpetrator smashed a window of the fellowship room, then crawled in and set fire to a pew and the choir platform where the organist plays. The only clue to motive was anti-gay graffiti spray-painted on the red brick wall in the rear.
Five days earlier, the General Synod of the national church announced its endorsement of same-sex marriage, though its decision is not binding on individual churches.
The irony of this hateful act is that the arsonist may just very well have radicalized many members of the congregation on the issue.
The St. John's congregation of 150 has never taken a position on the issue. By all accounts, most parishioners would oppose it. But as the only UCC church in the area, St. John's became a target.
The good news in the article is that the community has come to the aid of the church:
Many churches nearby responded to the incident with an outpouring of support. A Presbyterian church down the road provided two tents for the anniversary service. A Lutheran church offered its kitchen to prepare the food.
The bad news is that none of the local pols seem to care too much:
No elected official, however, has issued a public condemnation.
Like I said, I just don't get it.
posted by Diane at 5:18 AM
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