Pilgrims United Church of Christ in Maple Grove, Minnesota is one of those increasingly rare and welcome institutions: a progressive Christian church. As a member of the United Church of Christ, they are welcoming to all people, regardless of race or sexual preference. In fact the UCoC was the first Christian association to ordain blacks, women and gays into their priesthood. You may have seen one of their ads, at least one of which has been banned. Their motto is, “God is still speaking.”
If that’s true, then God is probably using some naughty words about this latest act of vandalism against the PUCoC. Last week, someone took the liberty of displaying their opinion on the side of the church sanctuary. “Gay Pride? NO! Shameful Sodomites!” greeted the congregants as they arrived for Sunday services on July 2nd. The front doors of the church were sporting a pair of handcuffs and the windows had been egged.
ok if these are not acts born of bigotry what shall we call them? isn't "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet", so we lose the bigotry and what's left, what would be as egregious and still mean the same thing?
This is not the first time the building has been targeted. In June, it was egged and someone wrote “church of Sodom and Gomorrah” on one exterior wall. Only a day later there was more egging. The Maple Grove police are certain that the vandalism stems from the church making it known that they will be performing same-sex marriages starting on August 1 (Minnesota passed a marriage equality law in May).Local authorities are asking for help from residents. Maple Grove Police Captain Keith Terlinden told reporters:“We are investigating this crime as a bias motivated crime. A hate crime is not necessarily a word we use in law enforcement, but we are investigating this as a bias motivated crime.”Well, okay, as long as they take into account that the vandalism was driven by bigotry, I don’t care what they call it.
how many Gods are we to believe there are given certain churches and zealots attack one religion or the other, does their God teach that behavior, what Bible do they read or cling to, are they taught to hate or is this an individual effort which happens to have millions of like thinkers but different lines acceptance.
what are they taught and who are they taught will be their salvation?
