Comments about ‘Arson determined for LDS church fire in Arizona’

I guess if this was a case of "burning black churches" that the Justice Department would be all over it as a "hate crime."

Why is it that burning Mormon churches is NOT a hate crime?

"Hate crimes" are ridiculous and should be ruled unconstitutional no matter how or where applied. They assume a state of mind that cannot be proven and are another form of subjective Political Correctness that seeks to limit people's thoughts. If one has committed a crime, and are charged, so be it. Hate crimes on top of the statutory charge are ridiculous. Are you up for them charging hate crimes when there is no other charge? That is thought control, and has no place in society.

As the local spokesman for the church stated -- the church (as a whole) is saddened to learn that this was indeed arson. That says a lot. That people can change should be a message of hope for all of us. To seek vengeance or some sort of retribution is counter productive.

We do not condone crimes of any sort. The church preaches obedience to local laws. But we also strive, human failings factored in, to treat others as Christ would. No doubt in the future this particular stake will be more vigilant in preventing such disasters, but striking out to condemn and punish will not make the world a better place.

I hope that a new building can be constructed soon, in the mean time, I hope that a greater sense of community awareness and appreciation can be realized. Apparently already people have been reaching out. Let's give them a warm reception.

@Infidel I thought I was the only one who felt that way. Hate crimes is a stupid concept, and you have demonstrated the slippery slope that is encountered when we put too much stock in them. Either I burned a church or not; if I claimed I loved the Mormons and was doing them a favor by getting them a new building or some such excuse, could I have my sentence reduced by claiming it was a "love" crime? Just as silly.

@DN S yeah, and if it was a mosque there would be no stone unturned either...