Hate Crimes against Christians: Several East Texas Church Fires: Arson
QUESTION: Isn’t this hate crime against Christians? Could these churches be pro-life? What is the motive and how come the National Media is not covering this?? Why isn’t President Obama denouncing this as he did the attacks on abortion clinics?
The FBI has been called in to investigate a string of Church arsons in East Texas.
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Arson eyed in 5 east TX church fires this month
ATHENS, TX — Federal and state agents have joined local investigators in pursuing clues to who might have torched four east Texas churches this month, three of them in Athens.
On Monday night alone, fires in which arson is suspected devastated two churches in Athens, about 65 miles southeast of Dallas. Athens Fire Chief John McQueary said multiple ignition points were found in both the Lake Athens Baptist Church and the Grace Community Church Tuesday morning.
Arson also is suspected in the fire that destroyed the Faith Church in Athens last week. Since Jan. 1, fires have also destroyed the Little Hope Baptist Church in Canton, about 25 miles north of Athens, and struck a church in Martin’s Mill, 15 miles northeast of Athens.
In McQueary’s words, “We know that whoever’s doing this deed is very bold, but at the same time we’re going to be very bold.” The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the state fire marshal’s office are helping with the investigation.
Feds Investigate After Two More Texas Churches Burn
Tyler police are investigating two weekend church fires and are urging ministers and congregations to report suspicious activity.
The latest fire was at Tyler’s First Church of Christ, Scientist.
A 911 call Sunday night alerted authorities to the fire, which was under control by about 8 p.m.
A damage estimate wasn’t immediately available.
Saturday night, fire destroyed much of Tyland Baptist Church.
Authorities believe the fire started in the sanctuary.
A police statement says there doesn’t appear to be a connection between the fires.
No injuries were reported in either fire.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also investigating.
February 9, 2010 at 2:09 pm
[…] Vets and Pro-Lifers and focus on terrorists Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Hate Crimes against Christians: Several East Texas Church Fires: ArsonR-E-S-P-E-C-T Don’t pro-lifers care for me? Is common ground on abortion …Arrested: […]
February 16, 2010 at 3:12 pm
[…] because they have been sent to abortion clinics. But as attacks on churches mount – like in Texas where several churches have been burned down, and in Florida where two preachers were murdered on the streets preaching – all this month, […]
February 22, 2010 at 12:42 am
questions:
Are the church’s in question black? What is the ethnicity of the suspects?
March 2, 2010 at 1:19 am
I live here in east Texas and to answer your question, no, Paul, the churches were of varying race. They caught the two men suspected of committing these arsons and it seems that one of them was very involved in his church– nothing like the sort of person you would expect to have done this. But some of his friends said he had been doubting God. The other had just lost his mother a few years ago and had fallen to drug use. He had also been struggling with his faith.
May we show them the love and grace of God.
Thanks for covering this, though, saynsumthn. East Texans have been absolutely riveted with the case. And finally, after all was said and done, here comes Rick Perry to poke his nose in the ashes; just a political stunt for re-election.