Police in South Dakota are investigating an incident of vandalism at an LGBT-affirming church, with the pastor saying it was motivated by “hatred.”
Sometime between last Thursday night and Friday morning, vandals used red spray paint to vandalize the Mitchell Congregational Church of Christ in Mitchell, South Dakota.
“We are a church that generously spreads the love of Christ. We support LGBTQ rights.”
“Repent,” “Leviticus 18:22,” and messages from Leviticus 18:22 were spray-painted in various locations around the building.
Leviticus 18:22 says this about homosexuality:
You shall not lie with a man as a man and a woman do, for it is an abomination.
Pastor Matt Richards He told the Mitchell Republic: What happened is a “hate crime” because Mitchell Congregational Church is the only church in town that flies the rainbow Pride flag and celebrates Pride Month.
“This is clearly a violation of space and a religious hate crime,” he told the paper. “We welcome all people. We are a church that generously spreads the love of Christ. We support LGBTQ rights.”
In a Facebook post, the church said the spray-painted message was one of “hate” messages, which it believed to be a reference to so-called hate speech.
“After our building was destroyed, friends, allies and parishioners came together today to support and beautify to once again eclipse love over hate. We thank you all for coming to share in our beautiful reconstruction,” the church said. Said.
Not only was the church the target of spray paint vandalism, but a set of rainbow-painted doors on its exterior in support of the LGBTQ community were also removed, KELO-TV reported. reportChurch members have since restored the display.
The United Church of Christ is one of the most liberal Protestant denominations in the United States. Its beliefs include: “Reproductive justice” and “health care.” UCC also Supports same-sex marriage, Promoting transgender ideologyinclude The full scope of “LGBTQIA+”.
Mitchell Police are investigating the incident, but no arrests have been made yet.
The Blaze News reached out to Pastor Richards for comment but did not receive a response.
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