Tag: Christianity

Good works and good feelings

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charity

An agnostic friend of mine posted a meme that says, “I try to do good in the world not out of fear for Hell or a reward of Heaven, but because it feels better not to be an (expletive.)

Well, salty language aside, there are a few assumptions made by the person who made the meme.   Firstly, that one should give because it feels good. The Christian stance is that we should do “good” even if it doesn’t feel good.  The meme implies that atheists and agnostics do “good” only for the feeling they get.  I’m pretty sure he doesn’t mean that, but this is an implication of the meme.  Secondly, he referenced fear of hell or reward of heaven. This is a common presupposition in many atheist sayings and memes.  God doesn’t send us to Hell or reward us with Heaven because of our works.  God’s gift of salvation is freely given to all who ask in spite of our works.  It’s a gift offered to those who do not deserve it. The assumptions made by the meme are false premises often used by those who launch verbal attacks on Christians.

We do not deserve salvation.  God’s gift is freely given.  It is grace, not a payment to us.

Have you accepted His gift?

U.S. strengthens hate crimes laws to protect churches and religious institutions

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church damage

U.S. President Donald Trump this month signed a bill into law increasing punishments for criminals who target churches or religiously affiliated organizations. The bill was introduced in response to a growing number of vandalism, bomb threats and other attacks on religious freedom in the U.S.

Existing U.S. law protects abortion clinics and other facilities frequently target by vandals.  The new law expands similar protections for churches. According to a news release from the White House, The Protecting Religiously Affiliated Institutions Act of 2018 criminalizes the intentional obstruction of any person’s free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force against religious real property. It increases the penalty to three years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine for threats that lead to damage. Those offenses were misdemeanors with a maximum one year in jail before the bill was signed.

 

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.

 

Virginia church building targeted by vandals 7 times since May

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A Virginia congregation is cleaning up damage criminals left behind for the 7th time since May.

Vandals have caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage to the sanctuary of The Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Annandale, Virginia.  Pastor Elijah Mwitanti told Fox5 Television that a church member was hit with a fire extinguisher when he encountered one of the vandals.

“He hit me. I think I was just in his direct path of exit of the building. And he left as soon as he hit me,” Brennan Hutchinson told Channel 4 television about the attack.

Police have not yet announced a suspect or motive behind the attacks.

Criminals continue to target church property in the Halifax area

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Photos Courtesy: Nova Scotia RCMP

Vandals have continued attacks on church properties in the Halifax area.  The latest attack is reported at a Lower Sackville church, according to a news release from the Halifax RCMP.

“This is not art, this is a poor excuse for attention,” say’s Cpl. Dal Hutchinson, Halifax District RCMP. “There are more appropriate ways to express yourself, this is not one of them.”

The vandalism comes days after a similar attack at St. Theresa’s Catholic church and nearby Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Anti-Christian graffiti was discovered in all of the instances.  The motive of the vandals has not yet been determined.

Anyone with information about either incident is asked to contact the Halifax District RCMP at 902-490-5020. Should you wish to remain anonymous call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at http://www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.