Sign Burned At Church

Monday, March 28, 2005

Pastor Craig Atherton says his secretary noticed a sign gone Sunday night, but it wasn’t until Monday that the sunlight revealed the sign had been burned.

“Looks like they did a pretty good number on it,” says Atherton. “Glad they got it stopped…before it got to the church.”

This is the second time in five days someone has destroyed signs on Trinity Baptist Church’s grounds, reading “vote yes; protect marriage.”

Atherton says last week someone tore up two signs, but police caught him and made him put one back. It’s all over whether or not gays should be able to marry in Kansas. It’s a fiery issue, but another pastor says this isn’t the way to make a statement.

“I think it’s an unconscionable act of violence and I think it does not belong in a Christian response to any issue,” says Dr. Michael Gardner, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church. “My heart goes out to the people of the congregation and the pastor of Trinity.”

While it’s unclear exactly who torched the sign and why, it has only served to fire up Atherton’s support of a ban on gay marriage.

More fuel for the fire to support the amendment: The Knights of Columbus, the largest lay organization in the Catholic church, donated $100,000 to the campaign to get the amendment passed. You can make your statement by voting April 5.