Baptist Churches Being Torched in Alabama

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 6:49pm

Yesterday's fire brings the total to ten churches that have been torched in Alabama. While I may have issues with organized religion, burning houses of worship is not the answer.

Both predominately black and predominately white churches have been burned down. Usually is small towns. All of the churches have been affiliated with Baptist congregations.

This is not right. I hope they catch whoever is doing this. and, and I hope the person caught is a disgruntled member of the Baptist church. Because, if this is being done by someone from another denomination of Christianity or an Athiest, or even worse, someone affiliated with Judiasim or Islam, all hell might break loose.

EDIT - Or, God forbid, a gay activitist taking out his/her frustration.


Another Baptist church torched in rural US South Updated On: 2/13/06 at 06:49 PM

[Plum]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 7:00pm

So that's the pattern? Last time I read they were wondering what was up since the churches burned were both predominantly white and black.

I have no idea what this person thinks they're accomplishing, but unless (s)he's just an outright pyromaniac, this isn't the right way to do it. Here's hoping whoever it is gets caught.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 7:02pm

The only pattern is that it involves Baptist churches.

Black, white, it does not matter.

The only common thread is all of the churches have been Baptist.

[justthefacts2]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 7:29pm

Has this been called a hate crime?

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 7:50pm

From the Yahoo artcile:

"The FBI has said it is examining whether the fires could be considered hate crimes under the Church Arson Prevention Act. The 1996 law makes it a crime to intentionally damage or destroy houses of worship or use threats or violence to halt the exercise of religion."

I would think it could be considered a hate crime. But, the only saving grace of all this has been no one has been killed. All of the churches have been empty at the time of the attacks. They believe it has to be someone familiar with the area and back roads.

[eslgr8]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 9:00pm

Considering the harm that Southern Baptist churches have done to gay people right up to the present time, I have decidedly mixed feelings about this.

[Plum]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 9:02pm

An eye for an eye? That's a bit sad coming so soon after Corretta Scott King's death.

[amasis]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 10:13pm

Considering the harm that Southern Baptist churches have done to gay people right up to the present time, I have decidedly mixed feelings about this.

Oh, come on. Considering that actions like these don't actually solve any problems, I don't see there's anything to have mixed feelings about.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 10:19pm

eslgr8, that statement is just as ignorant as what the Southern Baptist Church spews about gay people. Good job. You're now on the same level as them.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 10:56pm

I am sure the local churches who have been destroyed and the families who have lost a place to worship would be touched by your lacked of sympathy for their plight.

Your maturity is underwhelming.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 2:26am

Thats horrible, is nothing sacred anymore? Jeez you think people would know when they crossed the line a bit much. I feel badly for the towns terrorized by this sort of crime

[Albin]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 7:45am

"Considering the harm that Southern Baptist churches have done to gay people right up to the present time, I have decidedly mixed feelings about this."

eslgr8. ignorance personified.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 7:49am

"Considering the harm that Southern Baptist churches have done to gay people right up to the present time, I have decidedly mixed feelings about this."


eslgr8: it's really regrettable that you should say this. A few weeks ago, talk show host Chris Matthews came under fire from leading gay groups for suggesting that the arsonist might be a gay man seeking revenge, a statement for there is ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE.

Matthews was called homophobic for making such a suggestion on national TV.

And here you are, spewing anti-gay propaganda...

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 8:46am

"Considering the harm that Southern Baptist churches have done to gay people...."

Now, Stella Stevens up there is the one who claimed this site gave evil nasty queeniness a home, right?

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 10:49am

Why don't they put video cameras around outside churches in the area?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 10:53am

My guess is they don't have the money or the infrastructure.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 10:53am

I am not sure what was done in the past.

I know my temple added video surveillance after the attack on the Jewish pre-school years ago. But, it is up to each temple to adopt security procedures.

I am sure that many are adopting new security measures. But, as was mentioned, these churches are not in exactly the most properous areas of an already poor state.
Updated On: 2/13/06 at 10:53 AM

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 11:03am

based on what i've read today, it seems like the police have narrowed it down to some "bosom buddies." i knew that scolari was a f***ing ticking time bomb.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 11:08am

I am really hoping that this is two, straight, white guys who think in their demented minds that this is some weird way to have fun.

And as for your theory Papa, I am thinking it was Hanks - he got all of that action in Saving Private Ryan, he just couldn't stop.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 11:12am

It's Donna Dixon and Holland Taylor in guy drag.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 11:14am

since they are obviously not travelling in the same circles anymore, ywiw, i'm curious about their possible accomplices.

i bet your hopes pan out.

my question is though, are multiple attacks on churches, regardless of the color of the parishioners hate crimes? wouldn't it be a hate crime against baptists?

[Plum]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 11:18am

Sure it would. Religion is a suspect classification, just like race. It's uncommon for any of the mainstream Protestant denominations to have trouble in the U.S., but this is what it is.

[robbiej]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 11:19am

If Wendie Jo Sperber were still alive, I'd totally finger her as a suspect.

And that 1/2 of Dawn...SHE was a troublemaker if ever there was one!

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 11:24am

please, robbie, the list of women you'd finger is longer than the line of closet cases in doogie howser's entourage.

[robbiej]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 11:38am

OOOOOOOOOOOOOh...and I went to college with one of those closet cases...but I'll never tell. I'm too busy fingering 1/2 of Dawn.