Comments about ‘5 LDS buildings are targets of vandals’

Interesting how people use hate and violence and threats.....while the whole time trying to play victim to justify using hate.

I hope they catch the slimeballs.

I am opposed to any hate crime legislation.
The first amendment prohibits the government from punishing people for what they believe. It also prohibits the government from controlling or regulating the flow of information. Freedom cannot exist otherwise.

Hate crime legislation provides "enhanced penalties" based on what the offender believes. I don't believe in punishing anyone because of what they believe, only what they do.

Other than that, I hope they catch them and throw the book at them.

alone as some one uses them to better themselves, all may not agree but one lies to themselves by doing damage in the darkness. I like to visit all churches and admire the work that went into them , its for the lord who is higher than us all. It helps me to respect all peoples opinions not just mine!

Regardless of how many churches were involved, the note around the rock makes it a hate crime.

@ The Rock - Hate crime enhancements do not punish thought - they punish intent. We use similar distinctions in other crimes - intent is the difference between manslaughter and murder.

The violence is not acceptable and I hope the police catch those responsible.

But what is a "ward house?" I have never heard that term used to describe a church?

There are way too many loopholes and technicalities in our laws. There are actions and consequences to those actions. Simple!!! It does not matter if it is a Catholic,Anglican,Protestant or LDS church that was desecrated; these are sacred buildings and the vandals should have the Book thrown at them regardless of pitiful excuses why life isn't fair.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is divided into congregations that are called "wards". I believe it is probably similar to a parish in other churches. So we often call our chapels "ward house". There are usually 3 congregations, or wards, that meet in each building at different times throughout the day on Sunday. Wards are also organized into a larger division called a "Stake", which usually has about 9 or 10 "wards", or "branches" (fewer people than a ward, often in areas where there are fewer church members) in each "Stake". I hope this brief explanation is helpful, and not confusing for you :)

Intolerance should not be tolerated, or practiced!

Vandalism is so senseless, and hate crimes are worse. I sincerely hope the police can catch the folks who did this and lock them up for a good long time.

is an old term used to describe a simple church building where wards (congregations) meet. Many wards constitute a stake, its building has a few more offices. Wards also meet there and that building is then described as the Stake Center, sometimes also known as a Stake House, not to be confused with a steak house.
You're right violence doesn't solve anything, It doesn't give the perpetrator legitemacy or sympathy for their grievances or differences.

I would not count out rebellious LDS teenagers as the culprits. We have seen this before.

Because of the messages that were attached to the rocks I am left to wonder...

Is this kind of behavior what Evangelical Christian churches are unintentionally encouraging by the constant drumbeat of negativity directed towards the LDS church in their youth and adult meetings?

Perhaps, it is time for them to refocus on their own relationship with Jesus Christ and let folks worship in the way they see fit.

It would be "a crime of prejudice" if the intent of the perpetrator could be proven in court. Otherwise, it's just vandalism.

The designation of "hate crime" is too broad and inequitably applied to be useful or just. No person or group should be granted greater legal protection than others.

An opinion is a right. Mormons and others have a right to have an opinion that is contrary to yours without being threatened with violence or attacked.
Taking away one person's right in order to get your rights? What a blinding ideology of arrogance and narrow-mindedness.

Looks like some of our fellow "Christians" have a new protest tactic. Who are the Pagans and who are the Christians?

Until it is proved a couple of trickster LDS kids did not do this, I think we should be very careful in blaming our nieghbors.

I wonder...would there be as great of an outcry from the authorities if the building was that of another faith? I wonder if a few rocks were thrown into a few windows if there would be an outcry and media attention, if the building were say a Baptist Church or a Buddhist Temple, and not a "Mormon" ward building. I doubt it, A police report would be filed and the damage would be repaired and that is about it, nothing would be made of a "hate crime" note or no note, it pays to be the dominant faith...

We know now that people can't break in by trying to break the glass...not that that was their intent.

I don’t get these people who are blaming other Christian faiths for this act. Do they know? Do they have the evidence you aren’t telling the police? These accusations are pointless and hurtful and just dumb. Others are right when they say it could just as easily been some of our own rebellious kids out for a thrill.
What I take offence with is with these gay rights people trying to say we deserve it because we teach intolerance. You better come up with some examples of that. You’re the ones that show your hate when you take pleasure in violent acts such as this.

The case is, shawilii, that Mormons doesn't trow rocks to another faith's buildings. Mormons preach and practice tolerance, but are often the focus of intolerance. This is the real difference. I'm writting from Mexico, not from Utah. And even here I've seen this sad contrast. People that calls themselves Christians practicing just the opposite of what Christ preached and did. And yes, if I know of a Baptist or Buddhist Temple I would feel and I would say exactly the same, because I am a Christian, and because I know that Christ, my Master, is full of love, not of hate. Opinion differences are right, hate not.