Author: Texas Gospel

New York reverend to ask leniency for church vandals

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vandals arrested

Two New York men are facing charges connected to the Aug. 19 vandalism of a Greek Orthodox Church building.

According to TexasGospe.org file stories, the vandals smashed a stained glass window, tore down a church sign and kicked over potted plants at Saints Anargyroi, Taxiarchis and Gerasimos Greek Orthodox Church. The vandalism was captured on surveillance video that was aired on News12 Long Island. Southold police say two suspects turned themselves in after the footage was aired.

The suspects, Wesley S. Brown, 21, of Westchester County, and Mitchell Mayer, 22, of Burlington, Vermont, face misdemeanor charges of fourth-degree criminal mischief.

A police spokesperson said the vandalism does not appear to be a hate crime directed at the church, but the result of two who were drunk and disorderly.

The Rev. Jerasimos Ballas told Newsday.com he plans to reach out to authorities to ask for leniency for the two men.

Do you add to the scripture unintentionally?

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bible

Jeff Turner, TexasGospel.org

How do you respond when someone has a different view of scripture?

I’ve been involved in more spirited Biblical debates than any other topic, and most come down to the same thing. I believe it’s perfectly fine to say I’ve read a specific scripture and it leads me to believe such-and-such.  But I strongly disagree with those who begin a sentence by saying, “The Bible says…” and then complete the sentence with anything other a quote from scripture.  To be clear, it’s my position that once a sentence includes the phrase, “and what that means is,” it is no longer scripture, but someone’s understanding of the Word. Presenting one’s understanding as scripture itself is misleading.

It’s interesting that the Deuteronomy 12:32 says, “See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.” And Revelation 22:18 says, “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book.” I believe these scriptures implore us to be careful that we not misrepresent our interpretation as holding Biblical authority.

What are your thoughts?

Indiana man arrested for vandalism of multiple churches, more charges pending

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Mug shot - arsonist
Renzo Signorino

Sheriff’s deputies in Indiana arrested the man they say is responsible for a string of church vandalism cases. Renzo Signorino, 20, of Columbus, Indiana, is charged with numerous crimes against congregations in Brown County, Indiana including burglary, institutional criminal mischief, and felony level theft.   Investigators say his victims include the congregations of the Way of Holiness Tabernacle, St. Agnes Catholic Church of Nashville, and the Pikes Peak Church of Christ. A police spokesperson said more charges are pending.

According to a report in The Republic newspaper, investigators were able to file charges after they received a tip from an FBI agent who was investigating vandalism at a synagogue.  The Brown County Democrat says the agent contacted investigators on August 19 after the suspect in the synagogue vandalism told authorities she and Signorino had previously targeted other houses of worship.  Further investigation uncovered evidence that implicated Signorino.

A Sheriff’s Office news release lists the following charges as of Friday:

  • Burglary – Level 5 Felony (Way of Holiness Tabernacle Church)
  • Theft – Class A Misdemeanor (Way of Holiness Tabernacle Church)
  • Institutional Criminal Mischief – Class A Misdemeanor (Way of Holiness Tabernacle Church)
  • Burglary – Level 5 Felony (St. Agnes Catholic Church)
  • Institutional Criminal Mischief – Class A Misdemeanor (St. Agnes Catholic Church)
  • Institutional Criminal Mischief – Class A Misdemeanor (Pike’s Peak Church of Christ)

The news release does not give Signorino’s motivation for vandalizing church property.

 

Texas man guilty of arson and criminal mischief in attack on Presbyterian church

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mug shotA Fort Worth, Texas man is sentenced to 40 years in prison for the January arson of a church building.

According to CBS Local in the Dallas Fort Worth area, Thomas Britton went on a rampage at St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth causing nearly $800,000 in damage.  This week he was found guilty of arson and criminal mischief.

“This was not just criminal mischief. This was historic criminal mischief,” said prosecutor Vincent Giardino to the Fort Worth Business Press. “The police officers on the scene that morning, and even his own defense attorney, said they’d never seen anything like it. His goal was not just to damage this church, but to obliterate it. And he has no remorse for it.”

The trial begin Tuesday in before Judge Robb Catalano Tarrant County’s Criminal District 3.   Jurors deliberated for less than 10 minutes Thursday before reaching a guilty verdict.

Vandals’ criminal act caught on video at New York Orthodox church building

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The motive of two criminals who vandalized an Orthodox church building in Greenport, New York remains unknown as investigators work to learn their identity.

Church members of Saints Anargyroi, Taxiarchis & Gerasimos Greek Orthodox Church told CBS New York they don’t hold a grudge against the two vandals, but want them to know their unacceptable behavior has unnerved an entire community.

The vandals smashed a stained glass window, tore down a church sign and kicked over potted plants. Surveillance video is available from News12 Long Island.

Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to call the Southold Police Department at 631-765-2600.