52 NH Christian center buildings burn on Easter

[Ian David]

Source: Associated Press

ALTON BAY, N.H. (AP) — Authorities are on the scene of a massive Easter fire that's damaged dozens of buildings on the grounds of a Christian center in New Hampshire.

Firefighters tell the News 9 television station in Manchester that 52 buildings burned at the Alton Bay Christian Conference Center, about 30 miles northeast of Concord. Fire officials believe the buildings are seasonal homes.

There are no immediate reports of injuries.

The center's Web site says its purpose is to change lives by "encouraging commitment to Jesus Christ and offering opportunities to mature in one's Christian life style." It says it tries to accomplish this through evangelism, encouragement of believers and equipping Christians to be effective leaders.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h_5BYv2IIIje847uCeMNm1JaeqswD97H8IP00

---

[Taverner]

1. Just wonder how much insurance was taken out on those buildings?

[Sailing]

8. It's more likely, loss of community has more to do with it.

The Christians that supported the right solely on religious values, didn't realize that, in the end, they were destroying their own infrastructure. Churches primarily exist on the foundation of stable communities. As the greed of the right destroyed the lives of most people, forcing them to start moving more often just to find work, or those that no longer had the income to contribute to maintain their local church, the fate of these churches was sealed. With a smaller congregation and/or donations, they are no longer able to stay open. I imagine this fact plays a factor in what we see.

[Bluebear]

2. On Easter yet. Has Pat Robertson chimed in yet to blame anybody?

[madamesilverspurs]

4. Naw.

He's still trying to figure out how to convert the "Velveteen Rabbit" into a "Muslin Bunny". With eggs.

(from the book of Matches 9:11)

[trotsky]

33. No, but some DUers already have.

Pathetic.

[LuvNewcastle]

3. Well...

At least nobody got shot.

[TwilightZone]

5. The place was nearly 150 years old. More info:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h_5BYv2IIIje847uCeMNm1JaeqswD97HA3OO0

[trotsky]

32. Wood and more wood on top of wood.

Sad. I'm sure there were some beautiful buildings destroyed.

[aquart]

6. God has spoken?

[TrogL]

7. Is everybody OK?

[Mopar151]

20. Local news (WMUR)

Says 1 fireman got a hose nozzle in the face in the aftermath of one of the propane explosions - in LRGH, stable (which ain't good - but the worst cases get med-flighted to DHMC or Boston in a quick hurry these days)
I live in the next town south - I'm sure all our firemen were there on mutual aid.

[rox63]

27. The center is on a lake in a summer resort area

So I suspect it was probably unoccupied at this time of year. If it had been a month later in the year, that may not have been the case.

[bloomington-lib]

9. What are they saying about sin on this one

If this had happened at a gay community or anything even remotely connected to supporting gay rights, it would be absolute proof that God is against some homosexual sin and is punishing America for it.

But what if it happens to them. Who's God punishing then? Won't hear a word about it.

[Ian David]

31. Churches that god hates

Congregation of church hit by lightning holds services
BY ARIELLE BRECHISCI | Special to Newsday
10:23 PM EDT, April 5, 2009

Instead of sitting in pews in the St. James Lutheran Church for Palm Sunday service, dozens of congregants gathered in the lower-level parish hall, where they sat on folding chairs. Music came from a keyboard instead of the traditional organ.

More:
http://www.newsday.com/iphone/ny-listja0612624069apr05,0,755146.story



Pastor carries cross for disabled daughter (god hates her, so he struck her with lightning)

<snip>

Emily Crikelair, 18, was struck by lightning in the back yard of their home in June. It happened shortly before the family was set to move to Stroudsburg. Emily was digging up daffodil bulbs that she planted as a child; she wanted to take them to their new house.

<snip>

Crikelair walked hundreds of steps on Good Friday to link Cherry Valley United Methodist Church with it sister, Poplar Valley United Methodist Church, off Route 191.

More:
http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090411/NEWS/904110352



The Rock church re-opens for first time since lightning strike
BY TIM TOWNSEND
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
04/06/2009

St. Louis — As they have each week since lightning set fire to their church 20 months ago, members of the Rock assembled Sunday in their gymnasium to pray and sing together.

More:
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/religion/story/8EE769D8B818EEF58625758F008168A3?OpenDocument

[bluedeminredstate]

10. My church used this place for retreats

I went there many times as a kid. Beautiful place.

[The Straight Story]

11. Given all the anger towards christians I have seen on the net, it is no wonder

Oh wait, hate towards other groups only causes violence when it is someone we like...

[asteroid2003QQ47]

12. The poison that is Christianity has earned that anger a thousand times over! n/t

[Divine Discontent]

15. ah yes, justify violence in all its forms towards Christians when what you reference is the action

of specific people and specific churches. But don't let that stop you from grouping a billion people together as deserving of violence for believing that Christ is what He says He is. Again, I agree with the Straight Story guy, it's ok if it's people we hate.... violence is wrong.

[asteroid2003QQ47]

30. Virgin birth? Rise from the dead? No rational person believes that nonsense!

Only a billion, DD? Why not a gazillion (childish) group thinkers and I'd be
really impressed. Christianity, like all religion is pure unsustainable madness
that evolution will eventually eradicate.

On EDIT:
The poison that is Christianity has earned that anger a gazillion times over!
Happy now?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the letter, dated January 3 1954, Albert Einstein wrote: "The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weakness, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish."

[Divine Discontent]

39. your hate speech is no different than...

the reich wing who have uttered such hate. By mocking in volatile terms those who believe in Christ you show childishness. Sorry, I don't think like that, I respect atheists to have their own belief of no god, I am open-minded in understanding people will have different views, and you sound, unfortunately, just like the scary religious nuts who want 'liberals, muslins, and homos' offed for living a "lie" like you call Christianity. You're not very progressive - violence is wrong.

[Dappleganger]

43. +1

[Zhade]

46. Facts aren't hate speech.

ATHEISTS DO NOT HAVE A BELIEF IN NO GOD. WE LACK BELIEF IN ANY PURPORTED ONES.

[asteroid2003QQ47]

51. Tell that to Harvey Milk!

“More people have been slaughtered in the name of religion than for any other single reason. That, my friends, that is true perversion.”
--Harvey Milk
--------------------------------------------

Go not to the *mental* Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes.

[panzerfaust]

52. Violence against Christians (or their property)

is just as wrong, if less common, than violence BY Christians.

No need to argue about whose Imaginary Friend is Best.

Violence is simply wrong: A transcendent view that predates all religions and other superstitions.

[endarkenment]

35. There is no evidence of a hate crime here.

how about 'old wood buildings' and 'very windy conditions', instead of just jumping to conclusions and attacking people?

[imdjh]

13. Thankfully it was a single event. I was afraid that 52 churches in various locations went up.

That would not be a good thing, even if I person might fantasize about 52 LDS temples magically disappearing.

And even though I am glad that it wasn't 52 churches spread over the country side, I would have been impressed with anyone who could organize such a thing.

[No Elephants]

14. Hate crime.

[endarkenment]

36. evidence?

[Dappleganger]

40. dp

dp

[Dappleganger]

41. The responses in this thread is evidence enough

that it's perfectly ok with many people to target christians with hate and lump them all into one evil category.

[Zhade]

47. Since when do believers and evidence have anything in common?

: p

[and-justice-for-all]

16. Well they will not take this as a sign from Yahweh....

but everything else that happens to everyone else, is of course a sign from the invisible surveillance camera in the sky.

But have no fear, they will of course build a new and modern building and a bigger one too...they always do.

[timtom]

18. Fairly obtuse and, quite frankly, lame and predictable comment.

And...it added nothing.

[and-justice-for-all]

19. Your hilarious, are you here all week?? nt

[Joe Chi Minh]

21. More and more hatred from a single-issue type? Grow up. There 's more to life

than sex.

[and-justice-for-all]

22. What the fuck are you talking about...Sex??

Ok, Ill 'grow up' and you piss off...

[Joe Chi Minh]

45. Excellent. Make sure you do.

[timtom]

29. My hilarious what?

Oh you mean "You're hilarious."
I get it. You're projecting.

A clever riposte, that.

[Judi Lynn]

24. I don't agree with the former assessment. I found your comments earthy, yet refined,

well-balanced, citrusy, charming, and full-bodied. Excellent bouquet!

Signed,

The Post Connoisseur

http://graphics8.nytimes.com.nyud.net:8090/images/2005/12/23/nyregion/23cook184.jpg

[Judi Lynn]

17. It wasn't that long ago we discussed the church burnings by Christian college students.

Birmingham-Southern College students charged in church fires


G. David Pollick
Birmingham-Southern College President David Pollick
March 9, 2006

A UMNS Report
By Linda Green*

Two students at a United Methodist college have been arrested for conspiracy and arson in the early February fires at nine rural Alabama churches.

The Birmingham-Southern College students, along with a student from the University of Alabama, reportedly told federal agents the fires were set as a joke.

According to news reports, the young men set the first fire as a joke but decided to start the others to cover their tracks. If convicted, each church arson carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years.

Sophomores Russell DeBusk Jr. and Ben Moseley, both 19, of Birmingham-Southern, along with junior Matt Cloyd, 20, a former Birmingham-Southern student who transferred to the University of Alabama-Birmingham, allegedly started the first church fire, then as firefighters raced to put it out, started four more, according to news reports. They started the other four church fires in a different area Feb. 7, hoping to thwart investigators. But the examination and investigation of tire tracks led to the three men.

After the arrests, Birmingham-Southern College President David Pollick vowed at a March 8 press conference that he wants Birmingham-Southern College to have an active role in helping rebuild the burned churches. This will be done through financial aid and volunteer labor and by working in partnership with the United Methodist Church’s North Alabama Annual (regional) Conference.

More:
http://www.umc.org/site/c.gjJTJbMUIuE/b.1469099/k.9EAA/BirminghamSouthern_College_students_charged_in_church_fires.htm

[and-justice-for-all]

23. careful there Judi, they'll be acomin for ya...nt

[Judi Lynn]

25. Oh, yeah? I'm not skeered. I know I can spot them first!

http://shadows99.files.wordpress.com.nyud.net:8090/2008/04/hillbillies.jpg

On second thought, things could get ugly if they decide to bring their gang with them!

http://www.digitalmediatree.com.nyud.net:8090/library/image/2/90_freepers.jpg

[and-justice-for-all]

26. LOL...

You should read the post 16 on down, couple trying to get in my shit for pointing out the obvious.

[rox63]

28. If the NH fire was arson, it's as bad as when those churches were burned

Just because some folks don't agree with a group's theology, it doesn't mean they deserve to be burned out.

I live on the MA-NH border, and I had never heard of the place. So chances are, they didn't really bother folks who weren't interested in what they had to say.

[Joanne98]

34. "Seasonal homes". Must be nice to have so much money!

If we ever AUDIT the "christians" they'll be in a heck of trouble!

[endarkenment]

37. summer cottages privately owned and not very valuable

but flame away.

[TommyO]

38. My parents weren't rich, but they had a seasonal home

They scrimped, saved, and worked hard for it, now my mother's primary home. Your class warfare isn't needed here.

[kestrel91316]

42. My prediction: They will find out that it was arson perpepetrated by

a fundie Christian associated with the place. And done to make it look like "atheists" did it, so the fundies can garner sympathy. A la Tawana Brawley and other fakers of note.

[mainer]

44. Really windy up here in New England over the weekend

I'm sure it didn't help.

[Zhade]

48. Here's hoping no one was hurt. Also, fuck any of you who immediately assume atheists did it.

NT!

[trotsky]

49. AP Update: "Fire officials don't believe Sunday's fire was suspicious."

I'm sure apologies from the jump-the-gun Christians upthread are forthcoming.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h_5BYv2IIIje847uCeMNm1JaeqswD97HP9B02

[Mopar151]

50. Don't confuse 'em with facts!

Place was a tinderbox with poor access, and was the Fire Cheif's personal nightmare. The did a "fire plan" training there last summer. (all IIRC, from the 11 PM news)

If, on the other hand, someone is serious about cleansing sin with fire, just drag ol'Fred Phelps around to my place. My brush and tax paper fire is pilin' up in the backyard and I've got biofuel, old race gas, and drain oil ready to go! We may not get a permit, tho - open burning of trash is illegal here.

[LanternWaste]

53. You're right of course...

"fuck any of you who immediately assume atheists did it."

You're right of course. It's as presumptuous and vapid as someone who says, "betcha ten to one it was a fundie who did that..." in other situations. I imagine both simply illustrate our own biases.