HATE SPEECH

Community Church In Minnesota Vandalized With Anti-Gay Hate Speech

sodomThe congregation of a small community church in Maple Grove, Minnesota was stunned to find anti-gay slurs etched into the walls before attending services this weekend. The graffiti, most likely left by opponents of the state’s new legislation legalizing gay marriage, read “Church of Sodom, Church of Gomorrah.”

Also appearing on the vandalized wall is “Lev 18:22,” referring to a Bible passage stating “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.”

“This was a very hate-filled act,” Pilgrims United Church of Christ’s Pastor Robin Raudabaugh told KARE 11. The local church has always been a vocal supporter of same-sex marriage, though this is the first act of vandalism they’ve experienced. “Some people wonder if our message is getting out,” Raudabaugh added. “But this proves that people do hear us.”

A staff of volunteers has been assembled to clean up the graffiti, and local police say they’ll be keeping an eye on the church from now on. In the meantime, Pastor Raudabaugh and his congregation plan to continue promoting equality for all.

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