Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Virginia, not just for lovers

"Church Arson Federal investigators have concluded that a fire at a church vandalized with anti-gay graffiti was arson. The fire was set Saturday within St. John's Reformed United Church of Christ in Middlebrook, near Staunton. The anti-gay graffiti included a message that members of the United Church of Christ were sinners. On July 4, the United Church of Christ endorsed a resolution condoning same-sex marriage. The resolution is not binding on the denomination's 1.3 million members. The Rev. Dorcas Lohr, pastor of St. John's, said her congregation has not taken a position on gay marriage.Firefighters who quickly snuffed the fire removed a stack of burned hymnals. Part of the choir loft and a pew also were damaged, and the church sustained smoke damage. There were no injuries. The FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Virginia State Police have been involved in the investigation." CRIME & JUSTICE

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