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Arsonist sets fire to Nebraska church as children practice for concert

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2018-04-12 Arson

Investigators in Grand Island, Nebraska have not yet determined the motive of the criminal, or criminals, who set fire to a church building Wednesday evening while around 30 people, including children, were inside.

The fire was reported around 6:30 p.m.at the First Faith United Methodist church building, 4190 West Capital Ave, in north Grand Island.  According to a report from KNOP television, the arsonist set fire to bushes and grass on the side of the main building.

A church member said a youth choir was practicing in the building when the fire was set.  Everyone got out without injury.

A report from KHGI ABC Nebraska says investigators do not yet have a suspect.

Cross often targeted by vandals set on fire, one arrest made

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Investigators say only minor damage was done when vandals placed a plastic gasoline container at the foot of a 12-foot cross and set it on fire at a church in Frankford, north of Trenton on Sunday.  Quinte West OPP was alerted to the fire in front of St Francis Assisi church on Riverside Parkway before sunrise Sunday, according to a report from GlobalNews.

A 17-year-old male from Frankford has been charged with arson.  His motives for setting the fire have not been released.  His name is withheld because of his age.

There were no injuries from the fire according to inquinte.ca.

OPP Constable David Ludington told Canada24News the cross has been vandalized multiple times.

“Over approximately the last year we were to the church for a couple of other fires, one in relation to teh cross out front, again as well as one to shrubs or bushes around the area of the cross,” OPP Constable David Ludington told the news agency.

A Kentucky man is suing to be able to have “IM GOD” on his license plate.

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JUSTICE

Ben Hart, an atheist, told WXIX he wants license plates that say “IM GOD.” He told the TV station he wants them as part of his effort to spread his political and philosophical message that faith is susceptible to individualized interpretation. The Freedom from Religion Foundation and later the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky responded on Hart’s behalf and argued that Kentucky had violated free speech.

The idea that license plates should be considered personal speech is not universal among atheist organizations, and in some cases changes depending on the message of the plate in question. In 2009, the group Americans United for Separation of Church and State fought to remove “I BELIEVE” as an option for license plates, according to The Telegraph. The same group in 2016 fought to help a driver in New Jersey in his legal battle to get license plates that say 8THEIST according to the group’s website.

It is doubtful Heart’s legal team will use his argument that faith is susceptible to individualized interpretation. Previous court decisions and opinions of the court disagree with Heart’s reasoning. The latest case was decided last week when a federal Judge in D.C. ruled against an effort to remove the rainbow flag from two congressional office buildings.  The plaintiffs in that case wanted the flags removed citing a personal belief that the flags were religious in nature.  It is more likely his attorneys will argue that license plates constitute free speech of individuals.

If Heart’s Kentucky case were to end up before the Supreme Court, it could open the door to Christians who have been denied Bible verses and other messages for use on license plates.

Pastor more concerned for teens than building after vandals make repeat visit to SC church

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2018-04-05 Church vandalism in North Carolina

Surveillance video caught images of two vandals who damaged the building of Lake Bowen Baptist Church in South Carolina on Thursday.  The video shows what appears to be two teens making marking the walls with lewd messages and damaging church property, according to a report from WSPA Television.

WYFF television reported the same church had vandalism on Monday from a pair believed to be the same two.  Knives were thrown into a wall on Monday.  Police are comparing fingerprints from the knives with fingerprints collected on Thursday to verify it is the same two vandals, according to WYFF television.

Pastor Brad Atkins says the vandals caught on video are not church members.  He told Fox Carolina his main concern is young boys engaging in this kind of criminal activity.

VIDEO: Stephen Colbert says a scripture shared by a person handing out Bibles transformed his life

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Late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert said in a recent television interview that a scripture completely changed his life while he was having what he referred to as a serious crisis of faith.

Colbert said Matthew 6:27 was shared with him by a person handing out Gideon Bibles in Chicago.